The Pixar series Win or Lose will not portray Kai the trans character that the series initially portrayed according to a recent report by The Hollywood Reporter causing creatives who were working on the project to express significant disappointment. Former Pixar assistant editor Sarah Ligatich who also consulted on this episode called the decision “devastating” saying that "Disney has not been in the business of making great content”.
Disney's Decision to Alter Win or Lose Storyline Fuels Concerns Over Conservative Direction For Animation
Disney who purchased the well respected animation studio Pixar in 2006 issued a statement about removing the trans storyline saying many parents might like to choose when certain subjects are taught to children. The Win or Lose story focused on a middle school softball team known as The Pickles featuring Will Forte as the coach, is making an adjustment to its storyline relating to Kai’s trans identity due to parent preferences. Former Pixar workers voiced sadness about the cancellation that many felt served as the final cut of this already completed episode for February premiere. The decision has many questioning the prioritization of company profits over meaningful representation within major productions. Former CEO Bob Chapek emphasized a focus on animation as a conservative medium.
Completed Episode Shelved; Pixar Staffers Speak Out on Disney's Financial Choice Not To Save Lives
A completed final form episode existed which beautifully depicted experiences of the trans community but adjusting the episode means many teams needed to change their production timelines in order to adjust for the sudden edits by leadership teams. The removal also increases the production budget for an animation already slated for release for over two years according to reports. One anonymous Pixar staff member also voiced disappointment that the episode showed positive trans experiences in such a beautiful way that they felt that this version of the film “was literally going to save lives”. The anonymous staff member claims Disney essentially made the decision to "spend money to not save lives."
Pixar Faces Internal Questions Regarding Direction after Major Layoffs and Shifting Goals and Diversity Concerns
Pixar's recent internal changes have started conversations about their overall project scope amid studio plans and if it will choose to prioritize diverse representation. Following 14% layoff of staff during May Pete Docter director of Inside Out and replacement for John Lasseter raised some concerns when discussing new directions and goals for Pixar during media interviews. Pete Docter’s goal stated studio should make “most relatable films” however was widely interpreted as removing some of its focus from autobiographical stories especially when featuring historically underrepresented people. The 2022 criticism against Chapek regarding “Don’t Say Gay” bill also has fueled a narrative of Disney avoiding culturally relevant content .
Controversies and Political Decisions Continue for Disney and Pixar over LGBTQ+ Content
A same sex kiss shown in Pixar’s 2022 Toy Story spinoff film Lightyear drew scrutiny from right wing pundits followed by additional claims against the studio for “indoctrinating” younger viewers. Disney also elected not to release one episode of Disney Channel animated series Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur which was focused on a trans character. One former trans employee stated that decisions made about the series is “100 percent political” mentioning a 15 million dollar payment by ABC News which was related to the Donald Trump defamation case as a significant indicator. Those linked to Pixar state worry regarding similar actions across projects fearing future censorship from leadership especially in the area of diverse representation. Disney CEO Bob Iger commented back in April about “infusing messaging” should not be the main focus of their entertainment output despite recognizing an understanding that “fostering acceptance and understanding” would be a positive output for the film house when applicable.
Hoppers’ Environmentally Focused Theme Downplayed and Original ‘Elio’ Director Moves On to Other Projects
Pixar production team of Hoppers which focused on themes around environmentalism received a corporate message to greatly diminish its message. Hoppers originally was to star Jon Hamm with its theme around human and beaver body swap showing value of ecology however those notes were significantly downplayed despite many key themes relying on environment for main narrative. The movie Elio had its debut pushed to summer of 2025 after originally being slated for theaters in March where original director Adrian Molina who is a gay man transferred to other Pixar endeavors that showed a potential direction changes by production staff. Pete Docter specified that Adrian Molina did move to another project still receiving direct credit. Pixar still did manage to release the movie Inside Out 2 which became a highest grossing film within 2024.
Win or Lose’s Episode Adjustments Cause Emotional Turmoil with Cast as Pixar Creative Teams Contemplate Work Reassignment
Sarah Ligatich states she felt both appreciated as an artist during her tenure until layoffs which came in May during her contact with David Lally and executive producers and the teenage trans actress Chanel Stewart after these alterations were introduced. Ligatich who is trans remembers crying while processing the impact with creative leads along with Chanel who faced her own emotional turmoil because of storyline adjustments especially as many feel they should have released two years ago. Actress Chanel Stewart publicly said she was “very disheartened” regarding changes to her character . The entire situation demonstrates challenges and questions around representation with both LGBTQ communities. A number of artists chose to opt out of being involved in the altered Win or Lose episode though it was an option to do so and none took it as per recent reports. Ligatich also expressed her disappointment on the removal and its negative impact it will potentially have within future animated content produced by the studio.
Independent Studios Look Towards Opportunity and Growing Marketplace for LGBTQ Inclusive Storytelling in Animation
The move to possibly remove queer narratives by major players in the industry has caused other animation creators and filmmakers to search for new avenues within the field . One such idea has resulted in multiple indie studios beginning development specifically in response to what many view as corporate censorship. Sarah Ligatich and fellow former Pixar artists see that Netflix is more apt to host this kind of content stating this new reality where indie studios pop up and offer an alternate space for this form of animation. The animation studio Netflix has even given space for films like Nimona a trans allegory that is very well known by LGBTQ communities. Netflix previously obtained Nimona after Disney owned Blue Sky Studios closed back in 2021 . The current situation shows future creative content will emerge due to changes and shifts within the current marketplace for film and tv .
Multiple Pixar Employees Provide Perspective on Transgender Storyline Removal
Multiple Pixar employees responded with their views to The Hollywood Reporter including former Pixar assistant editor Sarah Ligatich who consulted on episode acknowledging shock but was devastated to learn of Disney's edits. Ligatich recalled when they heard Disney views animation as conservative which created questions about LGBTQ inclusion during future productions. Multiple members of Win or Lose team including executive producer David Lally also have expressed the issues with removing that segment from episode with one big part of story centering a teenage trans actor who needed help making sense of sudden shift with character that was also specifically created for her initially for 2 full years.
Backlash to LGBTQ Inclusion as Disney Studios face Continued Controversies on Set Story Alterations
Ligatich states as multiple sources reported in press publications Disney's recent history of LGBTQ inclusion has proven halfhearted that some studio decisions can also been removed completely without impact. The recent edits on the lead character Riley in Inside Out 2 to “less gay” were done due to mixed reception in box office after a negative response from LGBTQ inclusion in Lightyear according to those in industry circles. The changes in creative content often causes production staff scrambles and timeline shifts due to removal of a central element like in the Win or Lose episode. With a single-episode character format the impact of removing Kai's trans story is potentially impactful as it reduces the creative expression from this one particular character.
Ligatich believes that Disney's actions around this event show clear problems for both studios futures as diverse representation becomes something that seems impossible given many major studio decisions and shifts in creative team directions with the studios. If Disney chooses a more conservative track studios should understand that it will also damage how diverse artist’s may engage with major entertainment studios who are often seen as lacking support and direction .
Disney may potentially lose future creative talents as future generations will see a difference between “inclusive storytelling” and how it is presented. Disney may find more difficulty connecting with filmmakers and creators who could create meaningful diverse and sensitive storylines if they continue their current policies for censoring creative content in future productions. Netflix and other streaming providers are making efforts toward inclusive entertainment which provides an alternative outlet and platform for diversity that has long been missing.