Disney has announced a major shakeup to its animation studios, as it’s been revealed that Academy Award-winning filmmaker Jared Bush has been named Chief Creative Officer (CCO) of Walt Disney Animation Studios effective immediately, replacing Jennifer Lee, who has decided to return to filmmaking full time to steward the “Frozen” franchise for the studio.

As CCO, Bush will oversee the creative output of the iconic animation studio, including its films, series, and associated projects. Bush has been with the studio for over a decade, receiving the Academy Award in 2022 for Encanto, for which he was both director and a writer, in the same year in which he was executive producer for the Oscar-nominated “Raya and the Last Dragon”. Bush was also co-director/co-writer on 2016’s Oscar-winning “Zootopia”, writer of the original Oscar-nominated hit “Moana”, and received an Emmy Award for “Zootopia+”. He serves as a writer and executive producer on the upcoming “Moana 2″ and is directing and writing “Zootopia 2″, which is set to release Fall 2025.

Jarred will still report to Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman, who said in a statement regarding the news:

“Jared Bush is an incredible filmmaker and a talented executive who’s been a prominent creative force at Disney Animation for the past decade, and I am thrilled that he’ll be taking the reins of this storied studio.  I also want to thank Jennifer Lee for her passionate studio leadership over the past several years — she’s made an indelible mark on both Disney Animation and the industry. I know she has so many more stories to tell, and there is truly no one better suited to oversee the continuation of the beloved story of Frozen.”

Jared Bush said in a statement regarding the change:

“I am so deeply grateful to Bob Iger and Alan Bergman for their faith in me, and thankful to Jennifer for her leadership and for her generous support as she embarks on the next chapters of Frozen.  Disney Animation is home to some of the greatest stories and characters of the past century, and I’m so excited to work with all of our filmmakers, artists, and Disney Animation team members as we shape the future of this legendary studio together.”

Jennifer Lee will continue to work at Disney and is focused on directing and writing the upcoming “Frozen 3” film and is also writing “Frozen 4″ with Marc Smith. 

She is the Oscar-winning screenwriter and director behind “Frozen” and “Frozen 2″, two of the biggest animated films of all time. Lee joined Disney in 2011 as co-writer of the Oscar-nominated “Wreck-It Ralph”. She was also an integral part of building the story for “Zootopia” and served as executive producer on “Encanto”, “Wish”, and “Raya and the Last Dragon”, as well as the upcoming “Moana 2″. She also oversaw Disney Animation’s first foray into animated series, including “Baymax”, the first-of-its-kind series “Iwájú”, and “Zootopia+”, for which she received an Emmy Award, and she is the Tony-nominated writer of the book for the Broadway musical “Frozen”.

Jennifer Lee explained in a statement regarding the change:

“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’ve always believed in Jared’s incredible talent and can’t wait to see, with his passion and dedication to animation, what he brings to the CCO role. For me, getting to collaborate with this studio of artists, animators, and storytellers is such a privilege, and I look forward to all we will create together.”

Thirty-year Disney veteran Clark Spencer (Oscar-winning producer, Encanto, Zootopia) continues as President, Walt Disney Animation Studios.

Roger’s Take:   Over the past few years, Disney Animation Studios has come under lots of criticism for its animated movies failing to hit the heights expected.  There have been numerous box office stumbles for “Wish”, and “Strange Worlds”.  Plus, there is no doubt a lot of pressure on Jennifer Lee to make sure both the upcoming “Frozen” films are a hit for Disney, and Jared has worked on some of the biggest hits from the past few years, so he is a natural choice for the role.  With Bob Iger looking to refocus its studios on major theatrical releases, I’ve been expecting some big shifts at the top executive level, to allow the company to move forward.

What do you think of this major change?  Let me know on social media!

Roger Palmer

Roger has been a Disney fan since he was a kid and this interest has grown over the years. He has visited Disney Parks around the globe and has a vast collection of Disney movies and collectibles. He is the owner of What's On Disney Plus & DisKingdom. Email: Roger@WhatsOnDisneyPlus.com Twitter: Twitter.com/RogPalmerUK Facebook: Facebook.com/rogpalmeruk

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