Jared Bush, the Academy Award®-winning filmmaker has been named the Chief Creative Officer for Walt Disney Animation Studios. This move has him replacing Jennifer Lee, who is returning to direct and write the upcoming Frozen 3 and steward the franchise. In his new role, Bush will be reporting to Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman. Clark Spencer, a 30-year Disney veteran, will continue on as President of Walt Disney Animation Studios.
Jennifer Lee was appointed to the Chief Creative Officer role in 2018. Lee will be directing and writing on Frozen 3. She will be writing Frozen 4 with Marc Smith. She will also executive produce that film.
“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,” Bergman said. “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. I know she has so many more stories to tell, and there is truly no one better suited to oversee the continuation of the beloved story of Frozen.”
“I am so deeply grateful to Bob Iger and Alan Bergman for their faith in me, and thankful to Jennifer for her leadership and for her generous support as she embarks on the next chapters of Frozen,” said Bush. “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.”
In his new role as Chief Creative Officer, Bush will be charged with overseeing the creative output of Walt Disney Animation Studios. This includes films, series, and other associated projects. Bush has been working at Disney for over a decade. He received an Academy Award for Encanto in 2022. He was both the director and a writer for that film. He was also executive producer for the Oscar-nominated Raya and the Last Dragon that year. Bush was also the co-director/co-writer on 2016’s Oscar-winning Zootopia, he was the writer for Oscar-nominated Moana, and also received an Emmy Award for Zootopia+. He also is a writer and executive producer for Moana 2 and is directing and writing Zootopia 2, which will arrive in theaters in the fall of 2025.
Said Lee: “I am so grateful to Bob and Alan for supporting my decision to return to filmmaking full time. Every day working with them is a master class in creativity, business, community, and integrity. I’ve always believed in Jared’s incredible talent and can’t wait to see, with his passion and dedication to animation, what he brings to the CCO role. For me, getting to collaborate with this studio of artists, animators, and storytellers is such a privilege, and I look forward to all we will create together.”
Jennifer Lee is the Oscar-winning screenwriter and director behind Frozen and Frozen 2. These are two of the biggest animated films of all time. She joined Disney in 2011 as co-writer for the Oscar-nominated Wreck-It Ralph. She also played an important part in building the story for Zootopia and served as executive producer on Encanto, Wish, and Raya and the Last Dragon, as well as Moana 2. Lee also saw Walt Disney Animation create its first animated series. This included Baymax, Iwájú, and Zootopia+, for which she also received an Emmy Award. She is also the Tony-nominated write of the book for the Broadway musical Frozen.
Jennifer Lee sent the following message to staff at Walt Disney Animation Studios on Thursday morning:
Morning All,For so many of us here, our dreams came true when we joined Walt Disney Animation Studios. I pinch myself every day that I get to be a part of the Disney magic with all of you, as our stories bring genuine hope, wonder, possibility, entertainment and joy to the world through the beautiful craft of animation. It has been my great honor to be CCO these past six years. I’m so proud of all we’ve built together, weathered together, and discovered together. The love, dedication, talent, and passion you all show every day is not just an inspiration to me, it’s an inspiration to the world.
As you know from Alan’s email, I will be returning to filmmaking full time writing and directing with Marc Smith on FROZEN 3 and FROZEN 4. I admit, I was hooked from the moment Marc first pitched this new adventure for our gang, and I am in awe of the incredible work he has done since then developing this powerful story. As a studio, we are fairly new to musical sequels, and this will be our first story told over two films at once. I’m excited for the challenge and so grateful for this opportunity to return to filmmaking, and can think of no better way to do so than with our FROZEN family.
One of the things that makes Disney so special is our commitment to having filmmakers as our studio leaders. This morning, Alan also announced that Jared Bush has agreed to be our new Chief Creative Officer. Jared’s talents as an animation writer and director stretch far beyond the ZOOTOPIAs, the MOANAs, and ENCANTO. He is committed to this studio and its future, and I truly believe that his passion, his tireless work ethic, and his pursuit of excellence will only make us stronger.
I am so grateful to Bob Iger and Alan Bergman for their incredible support and guidance over all these years. Every moment I’ve gotten to work with them has been a master class in creativity, business, community, and integrity. I want to thank them for supporting my decision to return to filmmaking at this studio that I love so much.
I also want to thank Clark Spencer, the greatest partner anyone could ever have. He is brilliant, patient, and, like Kristoff from FROZEN, he’s the honest goods. He is our rock and will continue to be. And I could not have made it through the hours without Eileen Aguirre. Her care for this studio, her knowledge, and her considerate spirit remains a beacon to all of us.
I can’t wait to get back in the rooms with you! Thank you again for everything; you’re all worth melting for.Sincerely,
Jenn
What do you think of this change at Walt Disney Animation Studios? Are you excited to see what Jared Bush does as Chief Creative Officer? How do you think Jennifer Lee did? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
