Be Fri was pitched as Pixar’s next female-led adventure crafted by director Kristen Lester, known for Pixar’s 2019 short Purl. The premise followed two teenage friends who drift apart after discovering their favorite, Sailor Moon–style TV show is real, sending them on a universe-spanning quest to save humanity. The core creative team also included Blaise Hemingway and editor Nicholas C. Smith.
The project reportedly involved around 50 people and stretched over roughly three years of development before it was canceled in late 2023. After Braintrust 3, Disney pressed for a major retooling, and the team was asked to compress a year’s worth of storyboard work into six weeks to produce a fourth version.
Insiders say Disney’s feedback steered the project in a different direction, with leadership deciding not to move forward despite the team’s effort. The decision marked a rare pause for Pixar after years of reworking troubled titles, and Be Fri never reached the animation stage.
In the wake of the cancellation, Pixar employees held a small memorial to honor Be Fri, leaving notes and artwork in a dedicated space. Some staff described the turn as a reaction to public perception concerns more than creative limitations, though Pixar declined to comment for this story.
Pixar remains optimistic about its ongoing projects. Hoppers has earned strong reviews and surpassed $330 million globally, while Toy Story 5 is slated for release next summer and Gatto is in development for the following year. The Netflix title K-Pop Demon Hunters, though produced by Sony Animation, shares some musical energy reminiscent of Be Fri’s ambitions.
- animation
- Disney
- Elio
- Hoppers
- K-Pop Demon Hunters
- Pete Docter
- Pixar
- Toy Story 5
For broader context, THR has tracked Pixar’s evolving lineup and the studio’s approach to balancing storytelling with audience expectations.
Source: Original article
