A Deep Dive Into the Creative Fallout, Queer Erasure, and Box Office Failure
Pixar’s latest original film, Elio, was meant to be a heartwarming sci-fi adventure about a young boy accidentally beamed into space. But behind the colorful animation was a production filled with creative conflict, leadership changes, and erased LGBTQ+ themes.
What began as a bold, personal story ended up being one of Pixar’s most disappointing releases critically divisive and commercially disastrous.
Here’s a complete breakdown of Elio’s production problems, director exit, lost queer representation, and what it means for Pixar’s future.
The Original Vision of Elio
Adrian Molina, co-director of Pixar’s Coco, was originally leading Elio as a personal passion project. The film followed Elio, an imaginative 11-year-old boy, mistaken for Earth’s leader and sent to an intergalactic summit.
Under Molina’s vision:
- Elio was queer-coded not in a coming-out story, but through expression, personality, and imagery.
- He showed off “trash fashion,” like a pink tank top made from beach garbage a standout scene among early Pixar staff.
- His bedroom featured photos hinting at a same-gender crush small but meaningful representation.
These creative choices reflected Molina’s identity as an openly gay filmmaker and brought emotional richness to the character.
The Creative Shift: From Bold to Bland
Trouble started during a 2023 test screening in Arizona. While viewers liked the film, not a single person said they would pay to see it in theaters a red flag for Pixar leadership.
Shortly after:
- Molina’s full cut was screened for executives.
- Internal sources say Molina received tough feedback, became frustrated, and left the project.
Pixar brought in new directors:
- Madeline Sharafian (Burrow)
- Domee Shi (Turning Red)
But with them came major changes.
- $20.8 million opening Pixar’s lowest ever
- Budget estimated over $200 million
- Despite an 81% Rotten Tomatoes score, audiences stayed away
What Was Removed from Elio
As the new directors reworked the story, many of the original themes were dropped or watered down.
Changes included:
- Removal of Elio’s queer-coded visuals and fashion
- Scrapping the bedroom posters with male crush hints
- Making Elio more “traditionally masculine”
- Downplaying themes like environmentalism and individuality
Internal Pixar groups like PixPRIDE voiced concerns, but many creatives felt unheard. Some even left the project in protest.
“They changed and destroyed this beautiful work.” Former Pixar editor Sarah Ligatich
Cast Shake-Up: Why America Ferrera Left
Originally, America Ferrera voiced Elio’s mother. But after Molina’s exit and multiple script rewrites, Ferrera left the project.
- Her character was reworked into Elio’s aunt, now voiced by Zoe Saldaña.
- Sources say Ferrera’s departure was due to frustration over the loss of Latinx representation in leadership and creative direction.
Elio’s Box Office Disaster
Elio opened on June 22, 2025, and quickly made history for all the wrong reasons:
The film struggled with marketing, low public awareness, and lukewarm fan engagement.
Queer Erasure at Pixar?
This isn’t the first time Pixar has faced accusations of cutting queer representation. Similar issues have affected:
- Lightyear (same-gender kiss controversy)
- Win or Lose (transgender character cut)
- Upcoming projects like Hoppers (environmental themes toned down)
Insiders say the problem isn’t just Disney but Pixar’s own leadership.
“The call is coming from inside the house,” said one former artist.
Executives are allegedly playing it safe to avoid backlash leading to what staff call “obeying-in-advance” culture.
What This Means for Pixar’s Future
Pixar is still releasing big hits like Inside Out 2, and sequels like Toy Story 5 and Coco 2 are on the way. But insiders worry that:
- Original films are being micromanaged
- Diverse voices are being sidelined
- Creative risks are being avoided
Pixar is hosting internal “48-hour hackathons” to spark fresh ideas but it’s unclear if any of them will survive executive approval.
Final Thoughts
Elio could’ve been a bold, heartfelt film about identity and connection. Instead, it became a cautionary tale one about what happens when creative voices are silenced and studios play it too safe.
If Pixar wants to stay relevant and meaningful, it must return to what made it special: authentic storytelling, emotional depth, and fearless creativity.