Disney suggests it will include non-binary characters in new Pixar films
New documentary promised the inclusion of characters ‘of all genders’
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Disney has suggested that it plans to include non-binary characters in future Pixar films.
The move, alluded to on a recent episode of the behind-the-scenes Disney+ series Inside Pixar, comes as the studio seeks to address gender imbalance in its film output.
Episode four of Inside Pixar focuses on Pixar Animation Studios’ script supervisor Jessica Heidt, who has been working to increase the number of female characters on-screen.
Heidt, who has previously spoken about the difficulties non-binary people face in finding representation on-screen, mentioned that forthcoming Pixar films would include “characters of all genders” – which many have interpreted as a promise to include characters who fall outside the gender binary.
Some Disney and Pixar fans have expressed excitement at the idea, posting their reactions on social media.
“Watching the inside Pixar docuseries and fully bursting into tears as someone acknowledges non-binary people,” wrote one commenter.
“I don’t find Jessica Heidt on Twitter to thank directly, but I must say it’s wonderful that she has inspired such progress in changing Pixar’s approach to gender representation on screen,” wrote someone else. “May her work spread everywhere! #InsidePixar”
Disney was also recently praised for a tear-jerking Christmas advert, which focuses on an inter-generational Filipino family.
Several Filipino viewers wrote that they were moved to tears by the advert, with some claiming that it was an important piece of cultural representation.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments