Director and screenwriter Jared Bush will succeed Jennifer Lee as chief creative officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios, as Lee returns to the company to work on film production and management full-time freezing Disney announced the franchise Thursday. Busch will report to Disney Entertainment co-chairman Alan Bergman, effective immediately.
Lee, who has been working on Top Stage for six years, will serve as director and screenwriter Frozen 3and write Frozen 4.
Her resignation as chief operating officer wasn’t entirely surprising. During her tenure, the legendary animation studio suffered major missteps, including 2022’s strange world and last year’s hope. But she was not without victory: charm Won an Oscar and achieved critical and commercial success after finding his groove. The company’s upcoming slate includes the highly anticipated sequel moana 2released on November 27.
Both Busch and Lee are responsible for the studio’s billion-dollar films (Busch and Zootopiaand freezing and Frozen 2 Li respectively). In addition, Bush’s charm and Li’s freezing It is the only two feature films in the history of Disney animation to win the Oscar, Golden Globe and BAFTA Animated Feature Awards.
“I am extremely grateful to Bob and Alan for supporting my decision to return to filmmaking full-time,” Lee said in a statement. “Every day I work with them is a masterclass in creativity, business, community and integrity. I have always believed Jared has incredible talent and can’t wait to see his passion and dedication to animation bring to CCO What the characters bring to the table. For me, it’s been a privilege to work with this studio of artists, animators, and storytellers, and I look forward to everything we create together.
Busch and Lee serve as executive producers moana 2Busch also co-wrote the film. Bush is the screenwriter of the original MoanaEarlier this year, the film surpassed 1 billion hours of viewing on Disney+.
“Jared Busch is an incredible filmmaker and talented executive who has been a preeminent creative force at Disney Animation for the past decade,” Bergman said in a statement. “I’m delighted that he will take over this legendary studio. I would also like to thank Jennifer Lee for her passionate leadership of the studio over the past few years – she has left an indelible mark on Disney Animation and the entire industry. I know she still has.” There are so many stories to tell, and there is truly no one better suited than her to oversee the continuation of this beloved tale. freezing”.
Busch added, “I am deeply grateful to Bob Iger and Alan Bergman for their trust in me, and to Jennifer for their leadership and generous support as she begins this next chapter. freezing. “Disney Animation is the birthplace of some of the greatest stories and characters of the past century, and I’m excited to work with all of our filmmakers, artists and Disney Animation team members to shape the future of this legendary studio.”
Disney veteran Clark Spencer remains president of Walt Disney Animation Studios.
As chief creative officer, Busch will oversee the iconic animation studio’s creative output, including its films, series and related projects. Bush has been with the studio for more than a decade and won an Oscar for the film in 2022 charm. That same year, he executive produced the Oscar-nominated film raya and the last dragonand served as co-director/co-writer of the 2016 Oscar-winning film Zootopia (He is also a director and screenwriter Zootopia 2to be released in fall 2025.
Lee is an Oscar-winning screenwriter and director freezing and Frozen 2two of the biggest animated films of all time. Lee joined Disney in 2011 and served as Invincible King of Destruction, Zootopia and serves as executive producer charm, hope and raya and the last dragon.
Here’s the note Lee sent to staff Thursday morning:
Good morning everyone,
For many of us here, our dreams come true when we join Walt Disney Animation Studios. I pinch myself every day that I get to be a part of the Disney magic with all of you, as our stories bring true hope, wonder, possibility, entertainment, and joy to the world through the beautiful craft of animation. It has been my great honor to serve as CCO for the past six years. I’m so proud of everything we’ve built together, experienced together, and discovered together. The love, dedication, talent, and passion you display every day inspire not only me, but the world.
As you may have heard from Allen’s email, I will be returning to filmmaking to write and direct Frozen 3 and Frozen 4 full-time with Mark Smith. I was hooked from the moment our group was first introduced to this new adventure, and I’ve been in awe of the incredible work he’s done to develop this powerful story ever since. As a studio, we’re fairly new to musical sequels, and this will be our first story told across two films simultaneously. I’m excited for this challenge and extremely grateful for the opportunity to return to filmmaking, and I can’t think of a better way to do it than with our Frozen family.
One of the things that makes Disney so special is our commitment to having filmmakers serve as our studio leaders. This morning, Allen also announced that Jared Busch has agreed to serve as our new Chief Creative Officer. Jared’s talents as an animation writer and director extend far beyond Zootopia, Moana and ENCANTO. He is committed to this studio and its future, and I have no doubt that his passion, tireless work ethic, and pursuit of excellence will only make us stronger.
I am extremely grateful to Bob Iger and Alan Bergman for their incredible support and guidance over the years. Every moment I spend working with them is a masterclass in creativity, business, community and integrity. I want to thank them for supporting my decision to return to a studio I love so much to make movies.
I also want to thank Clark Spencer for being the greatest partner anyone could have. He’s smart, patient, and, like Kristoff in Frozen, an honest guy. He is our rock and will continue to be. I couldn’t have made it through these few hours without Irene Aguirre. Her care for this studio, her knowledge and her thoughtful spirit remain a beacon to us all.
I can’t wait to get back in the room with you! Thank you again for everything; you all deserve to melt.
Sincerely,
Jenn