On Tuesday, Feb. 26, the Los Angeles Times shared a letter written by actor Emma Thompson about John Lasseter, the former Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios who was accused of sexual misconduct. In the letter, Thompson…
On Tuesday, Feb. 26, the Los Angeles Times shared a letter written by actor Emma Thompson about John Lasseter, the former Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios who was accused of sexual misconduct. In the letter, Thompson explained her decision to drop out of the animated film Luck after the movie’s studio Skydance Animation hired Lasseter to head the company back in January. The letter also has an important message regarding how everyone in Hollywood should think about the next steps in the #MeToo movement, namely that they should prioritize women and their well-being over the second chances of men who have allegedly engaged in misconduct.
In her powerful note, which Thompson sent to Skydance in January and gave the Los Angeles Times permission to publish on Tuesday, the actor wrote that „hiring someone with Mr. Lasseter’s pattern of misconduct“ seemed „very odd“ to her, especially „given the present climate in which people with the kind of power that you have can reasonably be expected to step up to the plate.“
Lasseter was officially let go from Pixar in June of 2018, following a six-month leave of absence after allegations of inappropriate conduct went public in November of 2017. At the time, the Pixar executive released a statement admitting to inappropriate hugging and „other missteps“ during his tenure. In a letter to employees, he apologized „to anyone who has ever been on the receiving end of an unwanted hug or any other gesture they felt crossed the line in any way, shape, or form.“ In January, however, he was hired to run Skydance Animation, prompting Thompson to leave her project with the studio, as a representative for the actor confirmed to Bustle.
The actor’s decision to leave the project is commendable, and it may unfortunately be a choice that more people will have to make if systemic changes aren’t made in Hollywood regarding men accused of harassment and/or assault.
