Apple in Talks to Pick Up Two Animated Films Produced by John Lasseter

Apple is in talks to acquire the rights to two animated films from Skydance Animation, which is headed up by John Lasseter, reports Variety.

Apple TV Ray Light 2 Purple
Lasseter is the former chief creative officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar, but he departed the company in 2018 following allegations of sexual misconduct and has been at Skydance Animation since 2019. Prior to joining Skydance Animation, Lasseter directed popular Disney movies that include Toy Story, Cars, and A Bug's Life, plus he executive produced many others.

Apple is interested in the rights to his two newest movies, "Luck" and "Spellbound." "Luck" has been called "vintage Lasseter" with dazzling production value and commercial appeal. It follows the unluckiest girl in the world.

When she stumbles upon the never-before-seen world of good and bad luck, she must join together with magical creatures to uncover a force more powerful than even luck itself.

"Spellbound" is a musical fantasy that's set in a world of magic where a young girl aims to break the spell that has split her kingdom in two.

If Apple acquires the rights to the two movies, they could see a premiere in theaters before coming to Apple TV+, but the deal has not yet been finalized. "Luck" is set to be released on February 18, 2022, while "Spellbound" is slated for release on November 11, 2022.

Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Popular Stories

iOS 26

15 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 26.2

Friday December 5, 2025 9:40 am PST by
Apple is about to release iOS 26.2, the second major point update for iPhones since iOS 26 was rolled out in September, and there are at least 15 notable changes and improvements worth checking out. We've rounded them up below. Apple is expected to roll out iOS 26.2 to compatible devices sometime between December 8 and December 16. When the update drops, you can check Apple's servers for the ...
ios 18 to ios 26 upgrade

Apple Pushes iPhone Users Still on iOS 18 to Upgrade to iOS 26

Tuesday December 2, 2025 11:09 am PST by
Apple is encouraging iPhone users who are still running iOS 18 to upgrade to iOS 26 by making the iOS 26 software upgrade option more prominent. Since iOS 26 launched in September, it has been displayed as an optional upgrade at the bottom of the Software Update interface in the Settings app. iOS 18 has been the default operating system option, and users running iOS 18 have seen iOS 18...
iOS 26

Apple Seeds iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2 Release Candidates to Developers and Public Beta Testers

Wednesday December 3, 2025 10:33 am PST by
Apple today seeded the release candidate versions of upcoming iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2 updates to developers and public beta testers, with the software coming two weeks after Apple seeded the third betas. The release candidates represent the final versions of iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2 that will be provided to the public if no further bugs are found during this final week of testing....
Photos App Icon Liquid Glass

John Gruber Shares Scathing Commentary About Apple's Departing Software Design Chief

Thursday December 4, 2025 9:30 am PST by
In a statement shared with Bloomberg on Wednesday, Apple confirmed that its software design chief Alan Dye will be leaving. Apple said Dye will be succeeded by Stephen Lemay, who has been a software designer at the company since 1999. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced that Dye will lead a new creative studio within the company's AR/VR division Reality Labs. On his blog Daring Fireball,...
iOS 26

When Will Apple Release iOS 26.2?

Monday December 1, 2025 4:37 pm PST by
We're getting closer to the launch of the final major iOS update of the year, with Apple set to release iOS 26.2 in December. We've had three betas so far and are expecting a fourth beta or a release candidate this week, so a launch could follow as soon as next week. Past Launch Dates Apple's past iOS x.2 updates from the last few years have all happened right around the middle of the...
maxresdefault

iPhone Fold: Launch, Pricing, and What to Expect From Apple's Foldable

Monday December 1, 2025 3:00 am PST by
Apple is expected to launch a new foldable iPhone next year, based on multiple rumors and credible sources. The long-awaited device has been rumored for years now, but signs increasingly suggest that 2026 could indeed be the year that Apple releases its first foldable device. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Below, we've collated an updated set of key details that ...
Intel Inside iPhone Feature

Apple's Return to Intel Rumored to Extend to iPhone

Friday December 5, 2025 10:08 am PST by
Intel is expected to begin supplying some Mac and iPad chips in a few years, and the latest rumor claims the partnership might extend to the iPhone. In a research note with investment firm GF Securities this week, obtained by MacRumors, analyst Jeff Pu said he and his colleagues "now expect" Intel to reach a supply deal with Apple for at least some non-pro iPhone chips starting in 2028....
ive and altman

Jony Ive's OpenAI Device Barred From Using 'io' Name

Friday December 5, 2025 6:22 am PST by
A U.S. appeals court has upheld a temporary restraining order that prevents OpenAI and Jony Ive's new hardware venture from using the name "io" for products similar to those planned by AI audio startup iyO, Bloomberg Law reports. iyO sued OpenAI earlier this year after the latter announced its partnership with Ive's new firm, arguing that OpenAI's planned "io" branding was too close to its...
iphone air camera

iPhone Air's Resale Value Has Dropped Dramatically, Data Shows

Thursday December 4, 2025 5:27 am PST by
The iPhone Air has recorded the steepest early resale value drop of any iPhone model in years, with new data showing that several configurations have lost almost 50% of their value within ten weeks of launch. According to a ten-week analysis published by SellCell, Apple's latest lineup is showing a pronounced split in resale performance between the iPhone 17 models and the iPhone Air....
iPhone 17 Pro Cosmic Orange

iPhone 17 Pro Lost a Camera Feature Pro Models Have Had Since 2020

Thursday December 4, 2025 5:18 am PST by
iPhone 17 Pro models, it turns out, can't take photos in Night mode when Portrait mode is selected in the Camera app – a capability that's been available on Apple's Pro devices since the iPhone 12 Pro in 2020. If you're an iPhone 17 Pro or iPhone 17 Pro Max owner, try it for yourself: Open the Camera app with Photo selected in the carousel, then cover the rear lenses with your hand to...

Top Rated Comments

buckyballs Avatar
65 months ago
And we're just going to ignore exactly why he left Disney?
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BC2009 Avatar
65 months ago
Lasseter has publicly apologized for his behavior. He said:


“I am deeply sorry for my actions, which were unquestionably wrong. I very much regret making women feel unsafe or disrespected. I will continue to work every day for the rest of my life to prove to you that I have grown and learned. I am resolute in my commitment to build an animation studio upon a foundation of equality, safety, trust and mutual respect for everyone.”
I don't believe people should be condemned and shunned for life for doing something that was not even a crime. Even criminals get released from prison (often early on parole). Give the guy a second chance and see if he has learned his lesson. I am glad that he is making films again and Apple is picking them up -- he is definitely a very talented person -- he has made many of my favorite movies. If Lasseter falls back into habits of bad behavior then I may think differently.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
street.cory Avatar
65 months ago
Apparently Lasseter's allegations aren't as serious as they were once thought... Or Apple is willing to look the other way as long as the content is good.

Either way, I enjoy the stuff that he's been instrumental in developing.

Edit: I hope the allegations are not true.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Ramashalanka Avatar
65 months ago

What allegations?
2.4 Allegations of sexual misconduct and exit from Disney/Pixar ('https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Lasseter#Allegations_of_sexual_misconduct_and_exit_from_Disney/Pixar')
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mavman Avatar
65 months ago

The only allegations were that he occasionally gave co-workers “unwanted hugs.” Which is absolutely ridiculous. Sure, it’s probably appropriate to ask someone before giving them a hug... but cone on. He got booted for being a teddy bear.

Lasseter is a good guy, and I can’t wait to see his future films!
Next you’ll tell us how Weinstein is good guy as well?
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
neuropsychguy Avatar
65 months ago

Next you’ll tell us how Weinstein is good guy as well?
I'm not defending Lasseter but there's a large difference between the Weinstein (sexual assaults and rapes) and Lasseter (sexual harassment) allegations.

The commenter you replied to was misunderstanding or minimizing the severity of the allegations against Lasseter but you jumped in with what's effectively Godwin's Law.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)