Pixar Animation Studios is set to undergo a leadership change,
After serving as president for 12 of his 21 years at the studio, Jim Morris will transition to a president emeritus role. Jonathan Garson will become the studio’s new president, partnering with Chief Creative Officer Pete Docter.
In his new role as president, Garson will oversee all production and operations for Pixar — which most recently released the billion-dollar hit “Toy Story 5,” and has the original animated films “Gatto” and “Ghost Market” upcoming — including its producers, department heads, and post-production. As president emeritus, Morris will continue as executive producer of “Incredibles 3,” slated for a June 2028 theatrical release. More broadly, he will focus on talent development and mentoring across Pixar and Walt Disney Studios, as well as technology initiatives to support the studios’ storytellers and artists.
Garson and Morris will both report to Alan Bergman, chairman of Disney Entertainment and Studios at The Walt Disney Company, who announced the leadership changes, effective Jan. 4, 2027, on Wednesday.
“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,” Bergman said in a statement. “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.”
Garson, Bergman said, 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.”
Bergman also announced that Jonas Rivera will step into an expanded creative executive VP role, leading filmmakers and development and working closely with both Docter and Garson. “Jonas Rivera brings a wealth of creative expertise that will serve the team well as he works even more closely with Pete,” Bergman concluded.
Morris joined Pixar in 2005 after a long tenure at Lucasfilm and ILM, where he served as ILM’s general manager and later as president of Lucas Digital Ltd., overseeing visual effects work on dozens of landmark films. He was named president in 2014, succeeding the studio’s first president, Ed Catmull. During Morris’ tenure, Pixar’s feature films have generated more than $12 billion at the global box office, continuing a legacy of critical acclaim and cultural relevance.
“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,” Morris stated. “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 Disney for more than 30 years and joined Pixar in 2010, working closely with Docter and Morris. He most recently served as Pixar’s general manager and previously led its marketing and franchise team.
“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,” Garson stated. “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,” he continued. “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.”
Rivera’s history with Pixar dates back to 1994. 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 “Up,” his first feature as producer; and executive producing “Inside Out 2, “the studio’s biggest global hit and one of the biggest animated films in history.
“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,” Rivera stated. “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.”
