Feb 19, 2019

Report: Emma Thompson quits Sky Dance animation 'luck' over Hiring John Lasseter

Actress Emma Thompson has reportedly exited Skydance's upcoming animated feature Luck because of the studio's recent hiring of John Lasseter as head of animation.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, which broke the story this morning, the actress had already begun recording her part for the Alessandro Carloni-directed film. Multiple sources told THR that Thompson departed the project over “concerns about working with Lasseter.”

Luck, schedule for release in 2021 through Paramount Animation, focuses on “the millennia-old battle between the organizations of good luck and bad luck that secretly affects our daily lives.” Thompson reportedly voiced the head of the good luck organization, though the voice cast hasn't been announced yet. (It's worth noting that Thompson also provided the voice of Queen Elinor in Pixar's Brave, a film on which Lasseter fired the film's director, Brenda Chapman.)

Lasseter joined Skydance in January after being forced to leave his role as chief creative officer at Walt Disney and Pixar animation studios due to extensive allegations of sexual misconduct. The embattled Lasseter enjoys the full support of Skydance CEO David Ellison, who wants to turn his production studio into a major animation player.

While Lasseter, 62, claims that he has learned in recent months how to respect women, his return to the limelight has been met by scorn, shock, and fury by many in the film and animation industries.

Last week, Skydance promoted Holly Edwards from her role as head of production to president of Skydance Animation, which positions her as Lasseter's right hand. The promotion is widely viewed as an attempt by the company to deflect some of the unflattering media attention it has received over its hiring of Lasseter.

John Lasster photo via Shutterstock.com.