Emma Thompson Explains Her Refusal to Work With John Lasseter: Why Give Him a ‘Second Chance’?

“The message seems to be, ‘I am learning to feel respect for women so please be patient while I work on it. It’s not easy,'” the actress writes in letter after exiting Skydance’s ‘Luck’

Emma Thompson John Lasseter
Getty Images

Emma Thompson, who quit a Skydance Animation film this month after the company hired former Pixar head John Lasseter, challenged the company about why it was giving the executive “a second chance” after the multiple accusations of sexual misconduct in his previous gig.

In a letter to Skydance executives obtained by the L.A. Times, the Oscar-winning actress questioned why women should feel comfortable working under Lasseter. She also challenged a letter that Skydance CEO David Ellison has sent to staffers saying that Lasseter was contractually obligated to behave professionally.

“If a man has been touching women inappropriately for decades, why would a woman want to work for him if the only reason he’s not touching them inappropriately now is that it says in his contract that he must behave ‘professionally,’” Thompson wrote.

Want to keep reading?

Create a free account, or log in with your email below.

 

Gain access to unlimited free articles, news alerts, select newsletters, podcasts and more.

 

Comments