Whispers from within pixar Animation Studios paint a turbulent picture surrounding the creation of their latest film, “Elio.” A recent report from The Hollywood Reporter, corroborated by former staff, reveals a production fraught with significant changes, alleged creative compromises, and ultimately, a disappointing box office performance. At the heart of the controversy lies the reported alteration and potential erasure of themes, including elements interpreted by some as originally “queer-coded,” leading to questions about the studio’s creative direction and handling of diverse narratives.
Behind the Scenes: A Vision Transformed
Sources close to the production allege that “Elio,” under the initial direction of Adrian Molina (“Coco” co-director), began with a distinct vision. Insiders described Elio as a character with “queer-coded” elements, a portrayal reportedly reflecting Molina’s identity as an openly gay filmmaker. This early concept reportedly included Elio’s passionate interests in fashion and environmentalism. One specific scene referenced in the report involved Elio creating clothing from beach trash for a “trash-ion show,” even featuring a pink tank top. There were also hints in Elio’s bedroom suggesting a potential male crush.
The Turning Point: Test Screenings and Feedback
The trajectory of “Elio”‘s production reportedly shifted dramatically in the summer of 2023. An early test screening held in Arizona yielded concerning results. Although audience members stated they enjoyed the film, a critical moment came when asked if they would pay to see it in theaters – reportedly, not a single hand went up. This poor indicator for theatrical viability raised alarm bells among studio leadership.
Around the same period, director Adrian Molina screened a cut of the film for Pixar executives, including CCO Pete Docter. While specific feedback details remain unconfirmed, rumors suggest Molina was deeply “hurt” by the notes he received. Following this crucial screening, Molina ultimately departed the project. While Docter publicly stated Molina moved to a “priority project” (“Coco 2”), insiders link his exit directly to the creative disagreements and the numerous changes requested for “Elio.”
Allegations of Theme Erasure and Creative Compromises
With Molina’s departure, the film was significantly retooled under new co-directors, Madeline Sharafian and Domee Shi. This period saw major creative shifts. According to former Pixar artists, studio leaders were “constantly sanding down” moments in the film that alluded to Elio’s potential queer identity. The emphasis on Elio’s passion for fashion and environmentalism was reportedly diminished, and the scene suggesting a male crush was removed entirely. While elements like “trash fashion” remained in the final cut, their original context and meaning were reportedly lost due to these story changes.
An anonymous former Pixar artist lamented that removing this key piece “about identity” left the character feeling “more generic” and the final film “far worse than Adrian’s best version of the original.” Sarah Ligatich, a former Pixar assistant editor and member of the internal LGBTQ group PixPRIDE, expressed profound sadness, describing the subsequent “exodus of talent” as indicative of widespread unhappiness with the direction the film took.
Beyond the Lead: Casting and Character Shifts
The extensive reworking of “Elio” also led to notable cast and character changes. America Ferrera, originally announced in 2022 to voice Elio’s mother, Olga, exited the film. While initially attributed to scheduling conflicts, sources close to the production suggest her departure was linked to Molina’s exit and the constant script revisions requiring rerecording. The character Olga was subsequently changed to Elio’s aunt and voiced by Zoe Saldaña in the final version. One former artist also claimed Ferrera was reportedly “upset” by the loss of Latinx representation in the leadership team after Molina’s departure.
The Financial Fallout: A Budget Blowout and Box Office Flop
These significant production changes came at a steep cost. Media reports cited a production budget of $150 million. However, former Pixar artists estimate the actual cost ballooned “well north of $200 million,” largely because Molina’s original version was reportedly close to completion before the extensive overhaul began.
When “Elio” finally premiered on June 22, it faced a harsh reality at the box office. The film opened domestically to a dismal $20.8 million, marking Pixar’s lowest opening weekend in history. This historic failure underscores the financial consequences of the tumultuous production. An anonymous former artist questioned whether the costly rewrites were worth the financial loss compared to potentially letting the original director see his vision through.
A Pattern Emerges? Context of Diversity and Representation at Pixar
The alleged downplaying of potentially queer themes in “Elio” does not occur in isolation. It fits within a broader pattern of reported instances where Disney and Pixar have seemingly scaled back or altered LGBTQ+ representation in their projects. This pattern is often linked back to the backlash Disney faced in 2022 regarding its initial response to Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill.
Previous examples cited include:
“Lightyear” (2022): Featured a same-gender relationship and on-screen kiss, which was initially cut but later reinstated. The scene led to the film being banned in 14 countries.
“Win or Lose”: The Disney+ animated series reportedly saw a transgender character arc removed. Disney stated parents prefer discussing certain subjects on their own terms.
- “Inside Out 2”: Former employees claimed they were instructed to make the character Riley “less gay.”
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Despite these instances, it’s worth noting that other Disney-owned or distributed content has featured LGBTQ+ characters, such as Marvel’s “Agatha All Along” and Searchlight Pictures films like “All of Us Strangers.”
Where Does the Pressure Come From?
Sources within Pixar offer conflicting views on the origin of the pressure to alter themes. Some insiders allege the pressure often comes “from inside the house,” specifically from higher executives at Pixar, describing it as “obeying-in-advance behavior” driven by anticipating external criticism. Others, however, downplay executive meddling, viewing story suggestions—like toning down environmentalist themes or avoiding depicting divorce—as typical of the early development process for any film.
Mixed Signals: Reviews, Streaming Hopes, and Studio Defiance
Despite the production woes and box office disappointment, “Elio” received solid critical and audience scores. The film holds an 81% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes and earned an A CinemaScore from general audiences, with an A+ from viewers under 25.
There is also hope that “Elio” could find success on streaming platforms, mirroring the trajectory of “Elemental,” which performed significantly better on Disney+ after a slow theatrical start.
In a surprising move, Pixar’s official TikTok account recently posted a video urging audiences to see “Elio” in theaters to support original filmmaking. The post directly challenged the public, stating, “stop complaining that Disney doesn’t make original stories if you don’t show up to movie theaters and support them in the first place.” This public plea highlights the studio’s frustration with audience viewing habits but also comes amidst questions about the creative choices that may have impacted the film’s appeal.
Ultimately, the story of “Elio”‘s production serves as a complex case study in creative vision meeting corporate realities, raising significant questions about artistic integrity, representation, and the pressures facing major animation studios today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What creative changes reportedly impacted Pixar’s ‘Elio’?
According to reports based on former staff accounts, the film’s story was significantly altered after early test screenings and leadership feedback. Key changes included shifting the protagonist Elio’s characterization to be more traditionally masculine, allegedly removing elements interpreted as “queer-coded” such as a passion for fashion, environmentalism, and hints of a male crush. Specific scenes like a “trash-ion show” sequence were cut.
Why did original director Adrian Molina reportedly depart ‘Elio’?
Sources close to the production suggest Adrian Molina left the project following a critical screening for Pixar leadership. Despite being offered a co-director role, the extensive notes and required changes to his original vision for “Elio” reportedly led him to decide to depart. While Pixar stated he moved to another project (“Coco 2”), insiders link his exit to the creative differences and subsequent retooling of the film.
Does the ‘Elio’ situation reflect broader issues with queer representation at Pixar and Disney?
Many former Pixar staff believe the changes to “Elio” are part of a pattern. They cite instances like the initial cut of a same-sex kiss in “Lightyear,” the removal of a transgender storyline in “Win or Lose,” and directions to make a character “less gay” in “Inside Out 2.” These situations have raised concerns among some about the studios’ commitment to fully developing diverse narratives amidst perceived pressure, either from Disney corporate or internally from Pixar leadership.
