A big hand-off is underway at Disney’s Pixar animation studio as longtime 21-year vet Jim Morris will segue to President Emeritus after 12 years in the position. He’ll be succeeded by 30-year-plus Disney vet Jonathan Garson.
This is all effective on Jan. 4, 2027.
Pete Docter will continue to lead the Toy Story and Inside Out animation studio as Chief Creative Officer. Jonas Rivera will step into an expanded Creative Executive VP role leading filmmakers and development, working closely with both Docter and Garson.
Morris will continue to be EP on Incredibles 3 which hits theaters on June 16, 2028. He’ll also continue to focus on talent development and mentoring across Pixar and the greater Walt Disney studio in addition to tech initiatives that bolster the companies’ storytellers and artists. We understand that Morris’ transition was always in the works and isn’t part of the bigger VERO buyout offerings which Disney was offering to long-term executives as they make massive cuts in their work force.
As President, Garson will oversee all production and operations for Pixar, including its producers, department heads, and post-production, partnering with Docter. During his run at Disney, 16 of Garson’s years included working closely with Pixar brass, filmmakers and creative teams.
Garson and Morris will both report to Disney Entertainment Studios Chairman, Alan Bergman. Note there’s nothing new in the reporting structure here, as the President of Pixar has historically reported into the Disney Entertainment Studios Chairman versus Pixar creative boss Docter.
“Having worked closely with Jim Morris for more than 20 years, I have enormous respect for his leadership and unwavering commitment to Pixar and its people,” said Bergman. “He’s not only a tremendous partner in business but a great friend. As we prepare for his eventual retirement, this transition will ensure a smooth succession for the team.”
“With a deep background at both Pixar and Disney, Jonathan Garson has proven to be an exceptional leader with a strong sense of what makes Pixar unique and how its storytelling comes to life in so many ways for fans, and Pete Docter and I are excited for him to step into this role. In addition, Jonas Rivera brings a wealth of creative expertise that will serve the team well as he works even more closely with Pete,” continued Bergman.
Morris joined Pixar in 2005. He was the studio’s second President after Ed Catmull. During his run, Pixar’s feature films have amassed north of $12B at the worldwide box office. He arrived at Pixar following a long career at Lucasfilm and ILM, where he served as ILM’s general manager and later as president of Lucas Digital Ltd., overseeing VFX work on several features.
“Leading Pixar has been the privilege of a lifetime, and I’m honored to have been a steward of its legacy alongside extraordinary artists, storytellers, and technologists who keep redefining what animation can do and expanding the art of cinema,” said Morris. “After 52 years in the business, and almost 40 at Lucasfilm and Pixar, I’ll be stepping back from the day-to-day, but I’m thrilled to move into handling a number of special projects, working alongside my friends Pete, Jonathan, and Jonas at Pixar, and of course Alan Bergman, who has been such a supporter of Pixar throughout the years.”
Morris continued, “Looking ahead, I can’t think of anyone better than Jonathan to carry the legacy of this beloved studio forward. He’s a Pixar person through and through, a fierce champion of our films, our people, and our culture. Pixar is in very good hands.”
Garson has been with Pixar since 2010 and with Disney for more than 30 years. He most recently served as Pixar’s general manager and previously led its marketing and franchise team. He has worked closely with Docter and Morris for 16 years and built strong relationships with filmmakers and partners across the company and industry.
“I still remember seeing Toy Story for the first time – never imagining I’d one day work at Pixar, let alone step into a leadership role such as this,” said Garson. “Every day I walk in the door here, I’m reminded just how special this place is and how lucky I am to be a part of it. Jim has shown me what it looks like to safeguard this culture of quality, innovation, and creative ambition, and I’m extremely grateful to both him and Alan for their trust and support. It’s a humbling opportunity, and I look forward to working with Pete, Jonas, the production leadership team led by Katherine Sarafian and Lindsey Collins, and all of the extraordinary talent here at Pixar as we continue to push boundaries and lead our studio into the future.”
As EVP of Creative, Rivera will focus full time on creative oversight of Pixar’s films in partnership with Docter, overseeing the studio’s directors, creative vice presidents, and development, casting, and content advisement departments. He and Docter will serve as EPs on each Pixar film.
Rivera’s history with Pixar dates back to 1994, when he became the studio’s first-ever production intern. Since then, he has worked on almost every Pixar release, winning Oscars for Inside Out and Toy Story 4; earning a Best Picture nomination for his first feature as producer, Up; and executive producing the studio’s biggest global hit and one of the biggest animated films ever, 2024’s Inside Out 2.
“Ever since I walked through these doors as Pixar’s first production intern, this place, its people, and its stories have been my life’s work,” said Rivera. “I am deeply honored to step into this new role alongside Pete, partnering with him and Jonathan to support our incredible filmmakers and artists. Jim has been an extraordinary mentor and leader, and I intend to build on the lessons I learned from him as we look toward our next chapter.”
Pixar most recently released the billion-dollar hit Toy Story 5 around the world in June. Its upcoming slate includes two new original animated films – Gatto, in theaters March 5, 2027, and Ghost Market, in theaters March 10, 2028 – followed by Incredibles 3 in June 2028.
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