Pixar co-founder Ed Catmull has announced his retirement.
The 73-year-old president of Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios – who pioneered animated movies with the likes of ‘Toy Story’ and ‘The Incredibles’ – has confirmed his plans to bring an end to an illustrious career.
As explained by the Hollywood Reporter, it means 2019 will be the first year that none of the company’s original co-founders will work for Pixar – although he still plans to remain an adviser for a while to ease the transition until a successor has been announced.
He said in a statement: "I have the mixed emotions that come with stepping away from a group of people I love, but also with the utmost pride and pleasure that we now have at both Pixar and Disney Animation the most dedicated and imaginative leaders I have worked with."
The studio he helped create is currently looking ahead to ‘Toy Story 4’, and Tim Allen – who voices Buzz Lightyear in the franchise – recently revealed the film will have a very emotional ending.
Asked whether he’s been working hard on the movie, Tim previously explained: "Yes, I gotta resist getting emotional. I don’t want to give it away, but this is an incredibly great story.
"It is so emotional, it’s so funny, it’s so big, the idea they’ve come up with, I’m startled. I couldn’t even get through the last scene. I would love to be a Washington leaker."
Despite this, Tim tried his best to not reveal too many of the film’s secrets.
He added: "I just can’t do it. I can’t give any more away. They’ve got great characters but a couple of scenes toward the end were really hard to get through."
Pixar’s co-founder Ed Catmull announces his retirement
