Pixar Animation, a subsidiary of Disney, has named devout Christian Pete Docter as its new Chief Creative Officer. The decision came after former CCO John Lasseter left the company due to misconduct allegations.
Docter has worked for Pixar since before Toy Story (1995), which he had an integral role in producing. Over the following two-and-a-half decades he also wrote and directed other Pixar hits such as Monsters, Inc., Inside Out, and Up.
In a statement shared with The Christian Post, Docter expressed how seriously he will take the position:
“I am excited and humbled to be asked to take on this role. It is not something I take lightly; making films at Pixar has been my chronic obsession since I started here 28 years ago.” He added, “I am fortunate to work alongside some of the most talented people on the planet, and together we will keep pushing animation in new directions, using the latest technology to tell stories we hope will surprise and delight audiences around the world.”
Shortly before Monsters, Inc. was released, Pete gave an interview in which he openly talked about his faith and how it influences his work:
Years ago when I first spoke at church, I was kind of nervous about talking about Christianity and my work. It didn’t really connect. But more and more it seems to be connecting for me. I ask for God’s help, and it’s definitely affected what I’m doing. It’s helped me to calm down and focus. There were times when I got too stressed out with what I was doing, and now I just step back and say, “God, help me through this.” It really helps you keep a perspective on things, not only in work, but in relationships. At first you hire people based purely on their talent, but what it ends up is that people who really go far are good people. They’re good people to work with, and I think God really helps in those relationships.
While there’s no telling how this might affect everyone’s favorite animation company, Docter did mention that he does not think he will ever make any explicitly Christian movies.
And today we celebrate...