MoviesNewsTalk
Pixar series Win or Lose now faces significant controversy as a previously planned transgender character now identifies as cisgender. This move by Disney impacts several creatives who worked diligently on the transgender story line of this project after Hollywood Reporter recently broke the news about it this December. This controversial choice follows other Disney studio decisions seen as a step back from inclusive storytelling.
Sarah Ligatich a former Pixar assistant editor who provided consultation on the episode conveyed her devastation when speaking with the Hollywood Reporter stating the decision did not surprise her as she thinks animation has always been regarded a conservative medium during the Bob Chapek tenure at Disney. Sarah Ligatich cited a conversation with former Disney CEO Bob Chapek two years prior to showcase a distinct perspective that many current and former Pixar employees have of Disney Studios current operating direction where profitability takes priority over artistic creativity. Ligatich's comments alongside various other Pixar staffers demonstrate a larger cultural frustration regarding how creative content is currently being made and distributed by Disney.
Win or Lose focuses on middle school co-ed softball team known as the Pickles with voice cast including Will Forte. This Disney owned production originally included storyline where Kai expresses her trans identity with the Disney spokesperson stating many parents prefer to handle difficult topics such as transgender identity in their own way that aligned with individual timetables. Several Pixar employees and other creatives worked to incorporate specific topics about self identity however the episode has been completely reworked. This choice made by the production company Disney shows that content will take a backseat to business concerns which many critics now interpret as censorship. The transgender storyline removal is a concerning pattern that highlights a bigger change in creative and company policy.
Former Pixar staff conveyed sadness over Disney canceling this trans storyline episode despite the project already being completed which has significant consequences for production timelines causing schedule scramble for the February release of series. Many voiced the changes are costly and add significant pressure on the production team which also raises serious moral implications . The trans narrative of Win or Lose had specific potential for real world impact on viewers with the story highlighting isolation and feelings of not belonging offering solutions and empathy to children who also feel marginalized. Older iterations featured more open deliberation surrounding use of bathrooms but changes now focus entirely on cisgender character depiction. One anonymous source expressed “So it’s just very frustrating that Disney has decided to spend money to not save lives.” demonstrating strong emotional undertones of the controversy within this production.
Recent moves made by Pixar which laid off 14 percent of its staff back in May created concerns and questions about the creative choices made by leadership when Pete Docter Inside Out director stated his intentions to create more relatable movies. Pete Docter had replaced John Lasseter as chief creative officer at Pixar back in 2018 however Pete's ideas have sparked speculation on whether the company will be moving away from movies depicting autobiographical and underrepresented character stories. Many viewers viewed Docter's intentions to create more relatable films as thinly veiled attempts by executives to steer away from previously planned content focusing on diverse communities, and characters which seems a clear departure from prior studio choices regarding content. This is viewed as further attempt by studio to limit what story options they feel might affect bottom line figures.
Disney was publicly criticized back in 2022 for former CEO Bob Chapek’s response to Florida's “Don't Say Gay” bill as it appears he sided with political powers over the diverse employees under his company. Then in that same year right wing commentators caused an uproar surrounding a same-gender kiss featured in the Pixar produced 2022 Toy Story spin-off titled Lightyear creating immense scrutiny on many new productions in development during that period. Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur had similar concerns regarding episode cancellation relating to transgender characters during this past year showing similar politically minded executive level choices that are meant to appeal more to the conservative base rather than a general and more inclusive viewership. ABC news paid out 15 million after Trump initiated defamation suit which former Pixar employee considered reason for decisions like these as he noted during interview about cancellation with the Win or Lose change also citing "Disney just had the settlement with Trump" for further evidence.
Those within Pixar have also expressed apprehension that the Win or Lose scenario may not be an isolated event for many other upcoming projects with similar progressive content as executives continue to prioritize profit and mass appeal over telling progressive stories about diverse communities. Disney CEO Bob Iger stated back in April "the bottom line is that infusing messaging as sort of a number one priority in our films and TV shows is not what we're up to." This statement which highlighted entertainment over social themes may result in decreased representation and lack of focus on difficult societal situations. Another production Hoppers set for a 2026 release features downplayed messages on environmentalism according to former employees working at Pixar studio during movie creation, demonstrating even creative film topics now also facing similar roadblocks as transgender themes.
The forthcoming Pixar original feature Elio faced delays in release with its previous March date shifted to summer 2025. The Elio film centered on a boy working alongside aliens with Adrian Molina its initial director also departing the project to work on other Pixar productions and is a gay man which added questions about inclusion. This event made former Pixar employees believe more change might occur with upcoming movies highlighting the volatility of film production timelines. Docter did confirm that Molina will retain the directorial title showcasing that despite the concerns over release date, they are honoring initial labor agreements for film credits for original producers.
Pixar released Inside Out 2 back in June with immense commercial success becoming highest grossing film this year despite internal changes relating to diversity of its products. Ligatich who worked at Pixar for two and a half years prior to the May layoffs stated that she felt welcomed despite many recent issues while also speaking to various Win or Lose team members including executive producer David Lally in regard to the decision to change the storyline. Many inside Pixar like Ligatich and other team members worry that the loss of diversity in projects might cause loss of talent and an inability to attract talent from similar demographics.
Sarah Ligatich also conveyed extreme upset when speaking on behalf of Chanel Stewart who is trans after seeing the character she was supposed to portray be written to remove trans elements by studio executives and shared feelings for what Chanel had to face during recent changes. Former Pixar staff stated they were given the choice to remove themselves from working on the controversial Win or Lose episode; however it appears that nobody from Pixar is exercising that option indicating some form of solidarity. Other members are working to launch indie studios as response hoping to uplift and create room for many new voices in entertainment.
Ligatich also made a clear statement saying she believes platforms like Netflix are keen to house LGBTQ content stating they want authentic representation. She referenced a previous Disney-owned project that got cancelled by Blue Sky Studios but was eventually picked up by Netflix which shows independent production studios will begin filling gaps by traditional production companies demonstrating need for greater diversity in upcoming projects and studios . She also acknowledged Netflix was nominated for an Oscar in 2021 due to it's trans themed production showing greater desire for trans oriented film and projects outside mainstream production hubs.