Pixar veteran, Darla K. Anderson has signed a multi-year development deal with Netflix. According to Variety, the Oscar-winning producer will develop and produce new animated and live-action projects (both feature films and series) aimed towards a family-friendly audience.
Anderson first announced her departure from Pixar Animation Studios in a statement to THR back on International Women’s Day (March 8, 2018), “I’ve had a magical and privileged experience working at Pixar for over two decades. The creativity, imagination, and innovation at Pixar is second to none. I’m truly grateful to have been a part of this historic journey and hold excitement for my next chapter”.
Vice president of kids & family at Netflix, Melissa Cobb shared her excitement for Anderson’s arrival, “Darla is one of the most successful and accomplished producers in the entire film industry, and her creative instincts for championing and shepherding films that transcend borders is truly unmatched…Together with Darla, we will seek to bring more unique and diverse voices and entirely new mediums of storytelling to our global audience on Netflix.”
If you recall, Disney had originally licensed its content to Netflix, however, with the release of Disney Plus (a new subscription service launching this year) Netflix proactively brought over Cobb (previously at DreamWorks) to help assist with their animation lineup.
While we will continue to miss her presence and input on Pixar films, Anderson expressed her gratitude and excitement as she ventures into her next chapter at Netflix, “I’ve been fortunate enough to have spent the entirety of my career working with art to try to change the world, and I can think of no more thrilling place than Netflix to continue down that path as Melissa Cobb and her team are building their next-generation animation studio and ambitious slate of programming from the ground up”.
Pixar Post — Julie & T.J.
