Pixar’s ‘Elio’ Bombs at Box Office Amid Controversy Over Queer Theme Erasure and Director Exit
Pixar’s ‘Elio’ Bombs at Box Office Amid Controversy Over Queer Theme Erasure and Director Exit
Pixar’s latest animated feature, Elio, has suffered a catastrophic opening weekend, securing the lowest box office debut in the studio’s history. Released on June 22, the film grossed a mere $20.8 million domestically, raising significant concerns within the industry.
Sources close to the production have revealed a turbulent development process, marked by creative disagreements and an alleged systemic removal of queer themes. Original director Adrian Molina, an openly gay filmmaker, reportedly envisioned the titular character, Elio, with queer-coded traits, including scenes suggesting a male crush and a passion for fashion that defied traditional masculinity. However, internal feedback from Pixar leadership reportedly led to a gradual ‘sanding down’ of these elements, transforming Elio into a more generic, masculine character.
Molina ultimately exited the project after numerous notes and changes to his original vision. His departure, coupled with a reported exodus of other talent, including America Ferrera who left her voice role as Elio’s mother (now his aunt, voiced by Zoe Saldaña), has fueled questions about Pixar’s commitment to diversity and creative integrity. Ferrera’s exit was reportedly linked to Molina’s departure and a perceived lack of Latinx representation in leadership.
This controversy follows recent debates sparked by Pixar’s chief creative officer Pete Docter’s 2024 remarks on making ‘most relatable films,’ interpreted by some as a shift away from underrepresented voices. The studio also faced backlash over its 2023 Lightyear spinoff and the scrapped transgender storyline in its Win or Lose series earlier this year. While the released version of Elio garnered solid reviews, its disastrous box office performance underscores a growing disconnect with audiences and raises critical questions about creative control at the animation giant.
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