Walt Disney Animation Studios has reportedly set four directors for four future film projects, including two newcomers and two Disney veterans, according to Variety.
- Directors Carlos Lopez Estrada and Suzi Yoonessi will join Disney veterans Josie Trinidad and Marc Smith, as each of these four will be developing new animated films planned for theatrical release.
- Estrada is known for his directorial duties on the crime drama film Blindspotting, which debuted at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival.
- He has also worked on an episode of the FX X-Men spinoff series Legion.
- Yoonessi is known for directing the 2018 Duplass brothers’ film Unlovable, as well as the Scooby-Doo origin film Daphne & Velma.
- Trinidad, who joined Walt Disney Animation in 2004, has worked on Ralph Breaks the Internet, Zootopia, Tangled and The Princess and the Frog.
- Smith was hired by Disney in 1993 as an intern and has since worked on films like Treasure Planet, Tangled, Frozen, Big Hero 6 and Zootopia.
- He is also the story director for Frozen 2.
- The appointment of these directors comes at a time where Disney Animation is working on a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- There has been no word yet on the films these directors will helm.
What they’re saying:
- “We aim to have Walt Disney Animation Studios serve as the premiere home for filmmakers interested in telling engaging stories within the limitless animation medium. Carlos and Suzi are two incredible, inventive filmmakers who have both received acclaim for their work. Josie and Marc, master, lead story artists, have been instrumental in shaping such films as Zootopia and Frozen 2. We are so thrilled to have these four talented artists join our 96-year-old studio as directors and help us build the stories of our future — adventures in completely original worlds, stories from around the globe, and the next generation of musicals.”