According to Cinema Blend, John Lasseter is planning to take over the director spot of Cars 2 in order to resolve story problems. With the movie coming out in a little over a year, they have to kick up production soon, so this worries me.
cinemablend.com/new/Cars-2-I … 17177.html
Is Pixar falling apart? With Newt apparently canceled and Cars 2 having issues, maybe it wasn’t such a good idea to allow so many first-time directors to work on their own features.
Well if Cars 2 is having story problems, its probably a good thing that they bring in someone who knows what they’re doing. Not to mention he’s already familiar with the characters and the world they’re in. The article did mention Ratatouille where a similar thing happened, and that movie turned out alright. And Toy Story 2, they had to almost completely scrap and put back together in 9 months (Not that I’d want to see them to do that! I’m sure that was Not Fun). Of course, there is a chance it could get delayed but I would take that if that means the quality is improved.
Pixar isn’t falling apart. 
They’re just having some challenges right now; nothing new to them. Like the article you linked to said, this is kinda like what happened with Ratatouille, and look how that came out.
I remember Mr. Stanton saying “as long as you guys get the good stuff” in his commentary on the WALL-E deleted scenes. Pixar isn’t a magical land of super beings who never have problems and are always right. It’s a group of very talented human beings who support one another and help bring strength to one another’s weaknesses. It’s a good thing for a movie’s production to have some bumps along the way, because all stories do, and if they come out while still in production they can be fixed.
So there’s a few more bumps than usual. Chill. It’s not the end. 
I think it’ll be alright. In regards to Newt, it was still really early in production. If it’s really cancelled, it’s probably for the best. I’d hate to see something bad come out of that concept, especially since I was looking so forward to it. Maybe they’ll pick it back up down the line somewhere. They’re bound to have loads of stories they want to tell, but they just lack the means or resources at the time. They can only do so much at once. Plus, Wall-E got pushed back since the days of Toy Story, so it’s not really out of the question to see Newt being picked back up somewhere.
I still say it’s a result of trying to work on too many movies.
I don’t think Pixar is anywhere close to “falling apart”.
As was already pointed out, these kinds of events are not unheard of, even at Pixar.
And when you consider how Toy Story 2 and Ratatouille both turned out, after having had massive problems during production, I have no worries about Cars 2 (or Newt for that matter, if it does get picked up at some point).
But I do feel bad for Gary Rydstrom, the same way I felt for Jan Pinkava, when he was replaced by Brad Bird on Ratatouille.
Their shorts Lifted and Geri’s Game are among Pixar’s finest, so I had high hopes they both could pull off a feature as well. 
I’m glad John’s taking over. He should. And no, in no means is Pixar falling apart. 
Yes! The Lasseter is back! Though I do feel bad for Brad Lewis, but I agree, having the director from the original who knows the characters and story inside out is crucial, especially when its release is just over a year away.
P.S. Pixar isn’t falling apart, no way. Just a lot of challenges that’s all- but they can handle it!
Well, technically speaking he’s not really “Taking Over” the production like he did for Toy Story 2. He’s just going to be helping the director, Brad Lewis, by acting as his co-director of the film.
I have average hopes for this film, even with John Lasseter returning as co-director. Also, not quite sure how much time he will be able to devote into making this film, as he’s pretty much running two animation studios as well as in charge of WDI Enterprises.
jimhillmedia.com/blogs/jim_hill/ … wcase.aspx
Didn’t someone (Lassetter?) once say that pretty much every Pixar film ever made has been in some dire position at some point and they’ve had to do a complete turn around. Nothing comes out perfect and as they say, sometimes it can help to get all the rubbish out before the good stuff comes along.
I kinds glad that he’s taking over for I’m sure him having such a large role on the movie will make it that much better!
Well, I’ve been waiting since Cars for JL to direct another Pixar movie, so I’m extremely psyched to see him co-directing Cars 2.
Agreed that it could be a good thing. They’re professionals, and Pixar has the guts to cancel projects that it doesn’t feel strongly about, and bring in the A-Team to help fix things where needed. Lasseter is a busy man, though. He’d have to rely on the basis of the story already developed, and just make adjustments.
Cars 2 isn’t a movie I would have made, but if they put the same effort into it that they did with the extremely difficult to make threequel of Toy Story, I’m sure it will top its predecessor.
This is all a bit of new info for me, so I’m very glad I looked into this forum!
First of all, I do NOT think Pixar is falling apart! With the creative minds, forces, friendships, and amazing stories that create the base and the heart of the studio, it shines out like one of the most (if not THE) best studio in the history of film!
The very fact that John Lasseter is going to come and supervise, write (and direct?) “Cars 2” should be a plus, a bonus, a thumbs-up!!! John Lasseter hasn’t directed any of the Pixar films since the last “Cars” movie, and I was actually hoping he would soon resume his post in the director’s chair for another Pixar movie! After all…HE is the heart and the creative force behind Pixar as to why it is so wonderful today! Look at the work he’s done with “Toy Story”…the first EVER Pixar film in history! Look at “A Bug’s Life”…one of the most amazing and inspiring stories ever created! And the success of “Toy Story 2” only shows just how wonderful John Lasseter is as a writer and story teller! I am VERY glad he is going to have a serious and in-depth hands-on position with “Cars 2”. HE SHOULD!
But please...fill me in on what's going on with "newt". I haven't heard anything about that yet.
Hmmm, I guess it’s official then. John Lasseter is coming back to Cars 2 as Director and Brad Lewis is going as Co. [url]http://pixarblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/lasseter-directing-cars-2-brad-lewis-is.html[/url]
Personally, I have mixed feelings as always. First, I’m thinking “Oh, WOW, Lasseter is taking over for the sequel! I can’t wait!” but then after I thought about it I’m getting a bit worried. I mean, John Lasseter, isn’t he pretty much running two animation studios right now? How can he possibly find the time to oversee both, as well as Disney’s Parks Imagineering and have time to direct? I’m not disappointed in the slightest but it makes me wonder what kind of state Cars 2 had to be in that they actually pulled back John Lasseter to direct.
I’m wondering that too. It scares me slightly… but I have faith in Pixar. They’ve never let us donw before, right? I’m sure that this’ll be a great movie… still just a wee bit nervous though
I’m more concerned for the well being of the rest of the Disney projects and their theme parks. Lasseter was already pretty spread out before, and putting a large portion of his focus into directing Cars 2, I’m worried that the rest of Disney might crash.
This straight after the news of the removal of Brenda Chapman from the director role of Brave… 
I’m beginning to wonder whether it’s because they don’t have a talented enough crop of newbies (which, judging from its position as the best animation studio in the world, is highly unlikely) or is it because the Brain Trust can’t trust their proteges to make their own films?
And as other members have pointed out, Mr Lasseter is stretching himself a little thin while wearing all his various positions’ hats? Will he be able to devote enough time for the studio’s second sequel, seeing as its release is only a few months away?
While I have no doubt in Pixar’s ability to pull off the impossible again (which they have proven with their stunning track record), these are issues which they should address and ‘iron-out’ with more cynical moviegoers (of which judging from the vitriol on the news comments page) if they wanna do a little ‘PR Damage Control’. 
Maybe I’m just being overly positive, but I’m not worried. I was very disappointed with how someone else directed TS3, so this makes me happy.
Not at all concerned about this, though it is a shame the new directors haven’t been as abundant as we thought.