Disney, Pixar, and the Future of Storytelling

This week’s conversation with Joshua L. Harris turned into a deep dive on Disney, Pixar, and the creative state of the parks and animation. What started as catching up after a few months quickly shifted into a critique of how storytelling has changed and not always for the better.

D23 and the “Non-News” Approach

D23 rolled around without any groundbreaking announcements. Aside from Jody Benson being named ambassador, Disney largely avoided big reveals. In today’s climate, no news might actually be good news. Fans and YouTubers may clamor for announcements, but Disney seems wary of committing to projects that could backfire.

Pixar: From Fables to Formulas

The heart of the conversation was Pixar’s evolution. Once groundbreaking with films like A Bug’s Life, Finding Nemo, and Ratatouille, the studio is now seen as formulaic. The critique:

* Too many sequels.

* Outsourcing and declining visual/detail quality.

* Stories that feel like they could just as easily be live-action, which goes against Walt Disney’s principle that animation should do what live action cannot.

Recent examples like Soul and even elements of WALL-E were held up as evidence of a studio losing its creative edge.

The Disney/Pixar Power Struggle

We also looked back at the corporate history:

* Eisner clashed with Pixar over sequels, trying to pass them off as “originals” under contract.

* Toy Story 2 was nearly a direct to video release.

* Bob Iger rebuilt the relationship by strategically courting Steve Jobs, even admitting in his memoir how he manipulated the deal.

* From the start, Iger saw Pixar as a sequel machine and that legacy persists.

Parks, Lands, and Longevity

Turning to the parks, Monsters, Inc. Land became the flashpoint. Outsourced animation means details like Sully’s fur will be flattened out to save time and money. More broadly, there’s a shift away from building attractions meant to last for generations. Instead, lands are increasingly designed as 15-year placeholders, not timeless experiences.

The Big Takeaway

Pixar and Disney once defined imagination through innovation and craftsmanship. Today, the conversation highlights a creative crossroads: will the focus remain on formula, short-term returns, and disposable content, or can Disney rediscover its commitment to timeless storytelling?

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