Sep 19, 2024

Jennifer Lee Retires as Chief Creative Officer of Disney Animation; Jared Bush to Replace Her

After six years as chief creative officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios, Jennifer Lee is stepping down. She will be replaced by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Jared Bush, who has worked on many of the studio's non-Ana and the Snow Queen hits over the past decade.

As CCO, Bush will oversee the creative output of WDAS, including films, series, and related projects. Bush won an Academy Award in 2022 for “Encanto,” which he directed and wrote, and served as executive producer on “Raya and the Last Dragon,” which was nominated for an Academy Award the same year. He also co-directed and co-wrote the screenplay for “Zootopia” and wrote the screenplay for “Moana,” and won an Emmy for the short film series “Zootopia+.” He wrote and executive produced the screenplay for the upcoming “Moana 2” and is directing and writing the screenplay for “Zootopia 2,” scheduled for release in fall 2025.

Bush will report directly to Disney Entertainment co-chairman Alan Bergman, who said in a statement. “Jared Bush is a brilliant filmmaker and talented executive who has been an outstanding creative force at Disney Animation for the past decade.” I am thrilled that he will be taking the reins of this historic studio.

Bush himself said in a statement:

“I am deeply grateful to Bob Iger and Alan Bergman for their confidence in me and for Jennifer's leadership and generous support as we embark on the next chapter of Anna and the Snow Queen. Disney Animation is home to some of the greatest stories and characters of the past century, and I look forward to working with the filmmakers, artists, and all of the Disney Animation team members as we work together to shape the future of this legendary studio.

Lee, who took over as Creative Officer from John Lasseter in 2018, was the studio's first female Creative Chief. She will remain at the studio to work on the “Anna and the Snow Queen” franchise, currently writing and directing “Anna and the Snow Queen 3” and writing “Anna and the Snow Queen 4” with Mark Smith, the latter of which she will executive produce. In a statement, Lee said:

I am so grateful to Bob and Alan for supporting my decision to return to filmmaking full time. Every day working with them is a master class in creativity, business, community, and integrity. I have always believed in Jared's amazing talent and I can't wait to see what his passion and dedication to animation will bring to the CCO role. For me, it is a privilege to collaborate with this studio of artists, animators, and storytellers, and I look forward to all that we will create together.

Bergman added:

I also want to thank Jennifer Lee, who has passionately led the studio over the past several years. She has many more stories to tell, and I can think of no one more qualified to direct the continuation of the beloved story of “Anna and the Snow Queen.”

Clark Spencer will continue as president of Walt Disney Animation Studios.

Cartoon Brew's take: We first learned that Lee had signed an exit agreement at Disney earlier this spring and questioned Disney about it, but the company denied that Lee was leaving.

We understand that the decision to transition Lee back into a filmmaking role has long been in the works. The poor box office performance of “Wish” last winter made her exit from the company almost certain. The financial disappointment of the film, produced to commemorate the film company's centennial, followed the 2022 Hollywood's biggest flop, “Strange World,” which cost the studio about $200 million.

Our U.S. Animation Industry Power List, released in July, suggested uncertainty in Disney's creative leadership structure by placing Lee (and President Spencer) at #10. Bush, who was recognized for his leadership and creativity within the studio, was widely expected to become the new Chief Creative Officer and was ranked 18th on the Power List.