Despite Disney’s trend of turning animated classics into live-action films, Pixar’s Chief Creative Officer Pete Docter is firmly against the idea for his studio. In a recent interview with Time, Docter expressed his disinterest in live-action remakes of Pixar films, even as fans campaigned for actors like Josh O’Connor to star in a hypothetical live-action “Ratatouille.”
“No, and this might bite me in the butt for saying it, but it sort of bothers me,” Docter said. “I like making movies that are original and unique to themselves. To remake it, it’s not very interesting to me personally.”
Docter elaborated that the essence of Pixar’s storytelling is deeply rooted in animation, making live-action adaptations challenging. He cited the example of “Up,” where a floating house is believable in an animated world but would raise questions in a live-action setting. “So if you have a human walk into a house that floats, your mind goes, ‘Wait a second. Hold on. Houses are super heavy. How are balloons lifting the house?’ But if you have a cartoon guy and he stands there in the house, you go, ‘Okay, I’ll buy it.’ The worlds that we’ve built just don’t translate very easily,” he explained.
Docter’s stance comes as Pixar prepares to release “Inside Out 2,” a film whose success could significantly impact the studio’s future. “If [‘Inside Out 2’] doesn’t do well at the theater, I think it just means we’re going to have to think even more radically about how we run our business,” he noted.
Part of Pixar’s strategy to attract audiences involves balancing original content with sequels. “It’s hard. Everybody says, ‘Why don’t they do more original stuff?’ And then when we do, people don’t see it because they’re not familiar with it,” Docter said. “With sequels, people think, ‘Oh, I’ve seen that. I know that I like it.’ Sequels are very valuable that way.”
However, Docter acknowledged that sequels come with their own set of challenges. “On the other hand, they’re almost harder than originals because we can’t do the same idea again. We have to build on it hopefully in ways that people don’t expect,” he added.
Docter, who has directed iconic Pixar films like “Monsters, Inc.,” “Up,” “Soul,” and “Inside Out,” has been the studio’s chief creative officer since 2018. His commitment to originality and the unique storytelling capabilities of animation sets Pixar apart from its parent company, Disney, which has been prolific in producing live-action remakes.
Disney has already released over 20 live-action remakes of its animated classics, with more in the pipeline, including “Bambi,” “Hercules,” and “Moana.” Despite this trend, Docter remains steadfast in his belief that Pixar’s stories are best told through animation.
The discussion around live-action adaptations comes at a time when Pixar is navigating a challenging landscape. The studio recently laid off 14% of its workforce and is focusing more on feature films rather than series production for Disney+. Upcoming projects include “Toy Story 5,” scheduled for release on June 19, 2026.
Docter’s comments have sparked a broader conversation about the value of originality in filmmaking. While live-action remakes have proven to be lucrative for Disney, they often face criticism for lacking the soul and creativity of their animated counterparts. Many fans and critics argue that these remakes are merely cash grabs, offering little to no improvement over the originals.
In contrast, Pixar’s commitment to originality and innovation has earned it a reputation for producing emotionally resonant and visually stunning films. Docter’s vision for the studio emphasizes the importance of creating new stories and expanding on existing ones in unexpected ways.
As Pixar continues to navigate its future, the success of “Inside Out 2” will be a crucial indicator of the studio’s direction. Whether through original films or sequels, Docter and his team remain dedicated to pushing the boundaries of animation and storytelling.
In a landscape increasingly dominated by remakes and reboots, Pixar’s commitment to originality stands as a testament to the power of creative storytelling. While the allure of live-action adaptations may be strong, Docter’s vision for Pixar remains firmly rooted in the unique possibilities offered by animation.
