Part 5/12:
Since the departure of long-time Pixar creative chief John Lasseter in 2018 amid workplace misconduct concerns, the studio has undergone upheaval. Many original members of Pixar's creative brain trust have left, and the studio’s films have become increasingly derivative, relying on recycled themes, storylines, and visual elements reminiscent of Lasseter-era hits. Industry insiders like Disney and DreamWorks vet Tom Sito have observed that the "soul" seems to have been drained from Pixar's recent output, with the brand losing some of its unique storytelling magic.