Netflix's New Animated Movie Is Banking Very Hard On Its Controversial Pixar Connection

Summary Netflix's Spellbound trailer heavily hints at a controversial Pixar figure without directly naming him, drawing on his successful creative history.

Despite not being a Pixar project, Spellbound seems to follow the iconic studio's style, thanks to the influence of the figure behind it.

Despite past controversies, Netflix promotes Spellbound with producer John Lasseter's involvement, hinting at a reliance on his Pixar success.

Netflix's Spellbound will hit the streaming platform in November 2024, and the animated movie's first trailer is going out of its way to make sure everyone knows a controversial Pixar figure is attached to the project. The person in question was behind some of the highest-grossing Pixar movies of all time but was forced to step down from his role at the studio and Disney at large in 2018. However, Netflix doesn't seem too concerned about championing his creative history while promoting its upcoming movie.

Despite not being a Pixar project, the Spellbound trailer does make the movie seem like it shares several hallmarks associated with the iconic animation studio. Produced by Skydance Animation, Spellbound has clearly made full use of the individual they have at their disposal. As with his time at Pixar, the figure is in a very senior position within Skydance, and his influence shows in the trailer. Spellbound will probably struggle to live up to the legend of Pixar projects like the Toy Story movies, but the person at the helm will give it a good chance of success.

Related Every Upcoming Pixar Movie & TV Show Here is every upcoming Pixar movie and TV show slated for release over the next few years, from new originals like Elio to sequels like Toy Story 5.

Spellbound's Trailer Massively Hypes Up John Lasetter's Involvement (Without Using His Name)

Netflix fills the Spellbound trailer with Lasetter's past projects

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Lasetter is the "Visionary" being mentioned in the Spellbound trailer, with him being namelessly praised for his role in each individual entry into the Toy Story and Cars franchises - as well as A Bug's Life. Lasetter's Pixar departure wasn't a wholesome affair, as it was brought about by allegations of sexual assault during his time with the studio. He has since apologized for his conduct, but it has still taken a while for Lasetter to receive such intense praise during the marketing process for one of his post-Pixar movies. His statement (Via Deadline) from early 2019 can be found below.

“I am deeply sorry for my actions, which were unquestionably wrong. I very much regret making women feel unsafe or disrespected. I will continue to work every day for the rest of my life to prove to you that I have grown and learned. I am resolute in my commitment to build an animation studio upon a foundation of equality, safety, trust and mutual respect for everyone.”

John Lasetter's success in the animation industry meant he was taken on by Skydance immediately after stepping away from Pixar. Despite his controversial past with female colleagues, Netflix clearly feels comfortable waxing lyrical about Lasetter's involvement and his filmography. The trailer may not mention him directly, but it's easy to figure out who is being referenced. The fact that John Lasseter isn't named in the Spellbound trailer suggests his reputation may still be cause for concern, but also that Netflix feels his past successes are too much to ignore from a marketing standpoint.

The Spellbound trailer also mentions Shrek's co-director, who is Vicky Jenson. Jenson is Spellbounds's sole director and John Lasseter is credited as a producer.

John Lasseter's First Post-Pixar Movie Had Very Different Marketing

2022's Luck trailer only briefly references John Lasseter

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After Lasseter and Pixar parted ways, his first movie was 2022's Luck. Skydance used Lasseter's past triumphs to help promote their new film, but not to the same degree as with Spellbound. A line in the Luck trailer confirmed it was, "From the creative visionary who brought you Toy Story and Cars." It kept it short, rather than drawing more attention like Spellbound's trailer does. As time has gone by, Lasetter's new employers appear to be less concerned with their Head of Animation's history and are instead relying on his time with Pixar to aid in Spellbound's success.

Source: Deadline