Paramount Takes Lasseter’s Animated Film From Netflix for Cinemas

Netflix is making big moves in film, but one of its animation partnerships is coming to an end. Netflix and Skydance Animation have mutually agreed to end their animated-film agreement after three years, according to The Wrap. The companies said Netflix will still release Brad Bird’s Ray Gunn and an untitled Jack and the Beanstalk project. The studios said, “We are proud of our collaboration to date and look forward to bringing these upcoming films to audiences around the world.” The change does not affect other Skydance properties or licensing agreements on Netflix. Skydance Animation was founded in 2017 and released its first feature, Luck, through Apple TV on Aug. 5, 2022. Netflix took over distribution of Skydance’s announced animated films when the two sides signed their deal in October 2023. That included Spellbound, Swapped, and Ray Gunn. Spellbound arrived on Netflix on Nov. 22, 2024. Swapped followed on May 1, 2026. Ray Gunn is set to debut on Dec. 18, 2026. The split could also affect John Lasseter, the former Pixar Animation and Walt Disney Pictures chief. Disney let Lasseter go in 2017 after allegations of inappropriate workplace behavior. Skydance hired him in 2019, an...