Pixar Chief Claims Elio’s LGBTQ+ Elements Were Cut to Boost Broad Appeal
Pixar chief creative officer Pete Docter said LGBTQ+ plot elements were removed from the 2025 film Elio not to provide therapy, but to avoid the movie turning into therapy and to aim for broader audience appeal. The changes followed earlier staff letters alleging Disney review cuts of queer content, and reports that deleted scenes hinted at a gay storyline. Co-director Adrian Molina was replaced during revisions, and Elio underperformed at the box office. Docter emphasized Pixar’s shift toward commercially appealing projects for a wide audience.