The upcoming “Luca” will mark the second Pixar film in less than a year to debut exclusively on Disney+ with no theatrical or Premier Access release tier.
The first, “Soul,” was seen as a one-time decision brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. However, with the vaccine rollout having expanded in the U.S. and cinemas opening back up, Pixar staffers are now reportedly voicing their complaints with a second Pixar film going straight to streaming on the Disney+ service.
Several Pixar staffers spoke anonymously to Insider, criticising the decision to make “Luca” freely available like “Soul” again, whilst films from Disney Animation (“Raya and the Last Dragon”) and Disney’s live-action division (“Cruella,” “Black Widow”) are getting theatrical and Premier Access releases.
One staffer says: “Luca doesn’t even have a premium price next to it. Does it make it lesser? It’s hard to grasp.” They’re doubly confused because “Soul,” the first Pixar movie in its 26-year history to not open in theaters, reportedly did numbers for the service that the studio was thrilled with: “That’s what was so eye-opening. Disney was over the moon about the numbers.”
The staffers tell out the outlet that the absence of a premium price means they feel Pixar work is being seen as lesser: “We don’t want to be a title just on Disney Plus. These movies are crafted for the big screen. We want you to watch these movies with no distractions, no looking at your phones.”
Of course, both of these are original works, works telling very human and personal tales as opposed to a high-profile sequel of an all audience high-concept title (eg. “Finding Dory” or “Incredibles 2”). One source says: “If these movies aren’t having $1 billion runs, does that hurt the company? You wonder that.”
Pixar’s “Toy Story” spin-off “Lightyear” late next year seems a pretty certain theatrical release. What Disney’s plans for their first post-“Luca” release, “Turning Red” in March next year, will be is unclear at this point.
