Emma Thompson quits animated film Luck after film studio hires John Lasseter

After being accused of unsolicited kisses and groping and admitting ‘missteps’, the animation head officially parted ways with Disney last year

(AFP/Getty)

Emma Thompson left the voice cast of Skydance Animation’s upcoming film Luck after the studio hired filmmaker John Lasseter, it has emerged.

Lasseter took a six-month leave of absence from his role as Pixar’s chief creative officer then officially parted ways with Disney after publicly stating he made “missteps” in November 2017. Lasseter officially parted ways with Disney last year.

Female colleagues had accused him of unwanted physical contact, including unsolicited kisses and groping.

A representative for Thompson confirmed to Variety that the actor had left the project in January, when Lasseter was hired to oversee Skydance by its CEO David Ellison. Skydance Animation had no comment.

Lasseter’s hire was announced in a memo, in which Ellison called him a “singular creative and executive talent whose impact on the animation industry cannot be overstated”.

He added: “And yet we did not enter into this decision lightly. John has acknowledged and apologised for his mistakes and, during the past year away from the workplace, has endeavoured to address and reform them.”

Luck is about the two opposing forces that control destiny: good luck and bad luck. No additional cast has been announced for the film.