The Oscar-winning ‘Frozen’ writer and director will return to fulltime filmmaking as writer and director of ‘Frozen 3’ and ‘Frozen 4,’ while the Oscar-winning ‘Encanto’ writer and director assumes the chief creative officer role, effective immediately.
Today, Disney announced that after six years at the helm, Disney Animation’s chief creative officer, Academy Award-winning Jennifer Lee, is stepping down from her position, returning to full time directing and writing at the studio.Academy Award-winning filmmaker Jared Bush has been named the new CCO, effective immediately.
Bush will report to Disney Entertainment co-chairman Alan Bergman.30-year Disney veteran Clark Spencer (Oscar-winning producer, , ) continues as Walt Disney Animation Studios president.Lee is now set to write and direct and with Marc Smith.
The hugely popular 2013 box office hit , which Lee wrote and directed, garnered two Oscars for the studio including “Best Animated Feature.” “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,” said Bergman.“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 .” “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.” “I am so grateful to Bob and Alan for supporting my decision to return to filmmaking full time,” added Lee.“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.” As CCO, Bush will oversee the creative output of the iconic animation studio, including its films, series, and associated projects.A 10-year studio veteran, Bush received the 2022 Academy Award for , for which he was both director and a writer.In the same year, he was executive producer for the Oscar-nominated .
Bush was also co-director/co-writer on 2016’s Oscar-winning , writer of the original Oscar-nominated hit , and received an Emmy Award for .He serves as a writer and executive producer on the upcoming , which hits theaters November 27, and is directing and writing , set to release November 26, 2025.Lee is the Oscar-winning screenwriter and director behind and .
She joined Disney in 2011 as co-writer of the Oscar-nominated .Lee was also an integral part of building the story for and served as executive producer on , , and , as well as the upcoming .She also oversaw Disney Animation’s first foray into animated series, including , the first-of- its-kind series , and , for which she received an Emmy Award.
Lee is also the Tony- nominated writer of the book for the Broadway musical .Debbie Diamond Sarto is news editor at Animation World Network.
Jennifer Lee Talks Walt Disney Animation Studios’ ‘Wish’
Jennifer Lee Dishes on ‘The Princess and the Frog’ Sequel Series ‘Tiana’
Jennifer Lee and Michel Ocelot to Receive Honorary Cristals at Annecy 2022
Jennifer Lee, Chris Buck and Peter Del Vecho Reunite for ‘Frozen 2’
Jennifer Lee, Pete Docter Take on Lasseter’s Roles at Disney, Pixar
Directors Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee Talk 'Frozen'
Disney Names Jennifer Lee Director Of 'Frozen'
‘Encanto’ Pushes Animation Boundaries While Celebrating the Fundamentals of Family
The Creative Harmony Behind Disney’s ‘Encanto’