Walt Disney Animation Studios has appointed Academy Award-winning filmmaker Jared Bush as Chief Creative Officer (CCO), effective immediately. Bush will report directly to Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman.
This leadership change comes as Jennifer Lee, the studio’s former CCO since 2018, transitions back to filmmaking full-time, where she will oversee the Frozen franchise, directing Frozen 3 and writing Frozen 4 alongside Marc Smith. Lee will also serve as executive producer for the latter.
Bush, who has been a creative force at Disney Animation for the past decade, is well-known for his role in shaping some of the studio’s most successful films. His body of work includes directing and writing the Academy Award-winning Encanto in 2022, executive producing Raya and the Last Dragon, co-directing and co-writing Zootopia, and writing the Oscar-nominated Moana. Bush is also a writer and executive producer on Moana 2, slated for release in 2024, and is directing and writing Zootopia 2, scheduled for Fall 2025.
“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,” said Alan Bergman. “I also want to thank Jennifer Lee for her passionate leadership of the studio over the past several years — she’s made an indelible mark on both Disney Animation and the industry.”
Bush expressed his excitement about the new role, stating, “I’m so deeply grateful to Bob Iger and Alan Bergman for their faith in me, and thankful to Jennifer for her leadership. 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, who joined Disney in 2011 as co-writer of Wreck-It Ralph, will now focus exclusively on the Frozen franchise, which she helped transform into a global phenomenon. Her return to filmmaking will allow her to continue shaping the story of Frozen while also leaving a lasting legacy from her time as CCO, where she oversaw major projects including Encanto, Wish, and Raya and the Last Dragon.
The studio’s upcoming releases include Moana 2, hitting theaters on November 27, 2024, and Zootopia 2, set for release on November 26, 2025.
Reel 360 News wishes Jared and Jennifer the best of luck in their new roles.
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