Pixar Executive Explains Why Studio Removed Gay Storyline From ‘Elio’

Pixar Chief Creative Officer Pete Docter recently explained why the studio decided to remove a gay themed storyline from the animated film “Elio,” saying the goal was to ensure the movie would appeal to a broad audience of families.

Docter made the comments shortly before Pixar scored a major box office win with its latest release “Hoppers.” The new film has drawn attention for focusing on adventure and humor rather than including LGBT related themes.

The earlier film “Elio,” released last year, originally included elements tied to former director Adrian Molina’s experience growing up gay. According to reporting from The Wall Street Journal, the early version of the story incorporated those themes into the character’s future life.

During development, however, Pixar chose to revise the storyline and remove those elements.

“We’re making a movie, not hundreds of millions of dollars of therapy,” Docter said. “As time’s gone on, I realized my job is to make sure the films appeal to everybody.”

“Elio” centers on an 11 year old boy who unexpectedly bonds with alien life forms during an intergalactic adventure.

Early versions of the script reportedly included scenes showing Elio as an adult raising a child with a same sex partner. Those scenes were ultimately removed as the film evolved during production.

Some outlets later described the main character as “queer coded,” though the characterization became less prominent as the project moved toward its final version.

Several former Pixar employees who worked on the film criticized the decision to remove those themes, arguing that it weakened the story’s central message about identity.

One former artist told The Hollywood Reporter that removing the character elements tied to identity left the story feeling incomplete. Another said the final version of the character became more generic.

At the same time, others in the industry speculated that early reports about the film’s original themes may have discouraged some families from seeing it in theaters.

The film struggled at the box office, leading to debate about Pixar’s recent direction.

For decades the studio built its reputation as one of the most successful animation companies in Hollywood, producing hit films such as “Toy Story,” “Monsters Inc,” “Finding Nemo,” “The Incredibles,” “Up,” and “Inside Out.”

After Disney acquired Pixar in 2006, the studio continued producing blockbuster titles but also experimented with new concepts that sometimes sparked controversy among audiences.

One example was the 2022 film “Turning Red,” which centered on themes related to puberty and adolescence.

That same year Pixar also released “Lightyear,” which generated widespread debate after including a same sex kiss. The film underperformed at the box office compared with expectations.

The recent success of “Hoppers” has renewed discussions within the industry about whether audiences are gravitating back toward more traditional family focused storytelling in animated films.