Pixar’s animated series, Win or Lose, has undergone a significant change. Initially, the show was going to feature a transgender storyline in an episode. However, according to The Hollywood Reporter, that’s no longer the case as Disney decided against it.
Canceled Transgender Storyline
Win or Lose follows a co-ed middle school softball team named the Pickles, in the week leading to the championship game. Mainly, each episode delves into a specific character’s life off the field. This approach offers various players, parents, coaches, and empires a unique perspective.
A spokesperson from Disney confirmed the storyline’s removal, citing the need for sensitivity when addressing certain content for younger audiences. Essentially, this decision acknowledges many parents’ preference to initiate conversations involving complex subjects with their children at their own pace.
Although the character in question is still in Win or Lose, several lines of dialogue referencing their gender identity have been removed. A source close to the production said the studio made their decision to remove the transgender storyline several months ago. While Disney hasn’t provided further details on the matter, this development isn’t an isolated incident. The company has faced criticism in the past regarding its handling of LGBTQ+ storylines, particularly in its animated content.
Controversies Surrounding LGBTQ+ Content
Sadly, Win or Lose isn’t the only film to give Disney bad press in the media. In 2022, Disney first received controversy surrounding their handling of LGBTQ+ content. Specifically, the former CEO, Bob Chapek, sparked outrage within and outside the company for his response to Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill.
Additionally, Pixar’s 2022 animated film, Lightyear, featured a same-gender relationship and kiss, igniting even more controversy. Months later, Disney Animation’s Strange World also received backlash during its premier for boasting an openly gay lead character. Unfortunately, both films did terribly at the global box office, earning $300 million combined.
Notably, certain international markets often face challenges in promoting LGBTQ+ content. While some countries impose more restrive age ratings, others may ban such content altogether. Overall, these challenges create an added layer of complexity for studios like Disney that they’ll have to navigate. Despite these challenges, Disney continues to incorporate LGBTQ+ content into its more mature-oriented productions. These various Disney shows include Marvel Television’s Agatha All Along, Searchlight Pictures’ All of Us Strangers, and FX’s Pose, among others.
Incoming Presidential Administration
As Disney struggles with representing complex diverse perspectives, they aren’t alone in facing potential controversy. With the incoming administration, the entire Hollywood industry will have its hands full as it prepares for a potentially tumultuous period.
Since President-elect Donald Trump has a history of criticizing diversity and inclusion initiatives, many marginalized groups are concerned that their inclusion, representation, and even rights will be scaled back. Adding to this concern, reports indicate that some businesses have already begun reducing their diversity, equity, and inclusion programming.
Disney’s Box Office Success
With Alan Bergman at the helm of Disney’s film empire, they’ve found various successes at the box office. Surprisingly, its animation division has solely driven this major comeback. Achieving phenomenal success, Pixar’s Inside Out 2 grossed $1.7 billion globally, becoming the top-grossing animated film of all time. Similarly, Disney Animation’s Moana 2 has earned over $725 million and is on the way to reaching the $1 billion mark. Not only has the film made a lot of money, but it has also broken records.
In other news, the release date for Pixar’s Win or Lose has also changed. Although the animated series was scheduled to debut this month, it swapped dates with another Pixar animated series, Dream Productions. Therefore, Win or Lose will premiere on February 19th, 2025. Since Dream Productions is based on Inside Out 2’s main character, Riley, this strategic move aims to capitalize on the film’s success.
A Pre-Caution on Disney’s Creative Involvement
Due to Disney’s removal of the transgender storyline, Chanel Stewart, the voice actress behind the previous transgender character, has expressed disappointment with the decision. Disney initially informed the 18-year-old of their decision on Monday night. Notably, Stewart was 14 years old when she was cast in Win or Lose after responding to an open casting call for a trans actress.
She’d been enthusiastic about sharing her own journey through the character’s story arc, hoping to empower other trans youth. Recognizing the significance of this conversation, Stewart emphasized that trans stories are vital and deserve a platform to be told. Undoubtedly, this development has been a letdown for Stewart, who was eager to promote understanding and acceptance through her character in Win or Lose.
