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Pixar movies are generally held to such a high standard because that’s what goes into making them. From the earliest kernel of an idea through every single stage of production, the company is constantly being brutally honest to make things better. Lots of the time, that results in all-time classics. Other times, it means films don’t quite make the cut. And, on certain occasions, other beliefs can invade that process, which seems to have happened in 2023 with a film called Be Fri.
Be Fri came from director Kristen Lester, who made the 2019 Pixar short Purl. For three years, she and a team of about 50 worked on a story based on her personal experiences of losing a childhood friend. In Be Fri, though, that reality was turned into an adventure as two friends drift apart when they find out their favorite anime show, which was similar to Sailor Moon, was real, and they had to travel across the galaxy as a result.
Sounds cool, right? And, now in 2026, it’s easy to see how a film about young women banding together for an action-packed fantasy adventure to save the world might be a hit. Especially when you realize Be Fri had similarities to Netflix’s biggest film ever (and the winner of this year’s Oscar for Best Animated Film), KPop Demon Hunters.
“The comparisons to KPop Demon Hunters are pretty undeniable because there were musical aspects to it, and it was a rip-roaring time,” a source told the Hollywood Reporter, which detailed this news on Be Fri. “I can imagine that whoever at Disney denied Be Fri to exist looks at KPop and is kicking themselves like, ‘Shit, I can’t believe Netflix is doing exactly what we wanted to do.’”
So why did Disney cancel Be Fri? Well, again, the Hollywood Reporter story gets into the details. But basically, Pixar and Disney executives gave notes on the movie multiple times until finally, the filmmakers asked for six weeks to basically recreate the entire movie. “It was on Hoppers’ level,” a source told the trade about that version. “It befuddles me why they passed on it, but with each round of notes, Disney just didn’t feel like little boys could see themselves in the film enough. Basically, Disney reps were like, ‘We can’t have a girl power movie.'”
Ouch. Big ouch, actually. Especially when you have to wonder, what do those people think Inside Out and Inside Out 2 are? How about Brave? How about Turning Red? All of them are movies about young women with some kind of supernatural spin. Which, it sure sounds like, Be Fri was too.
It is important to note, though, all of this happened soon after the crushing release of Lightyear, which was attacked by right-wing media over a same-sex kiss. So it seems like Disney was being even more careful and less risk-averse at that time. However, while something like Elio was given lots of time to be reworked, Be Fri was just killed. Pixar employees even had a kind of funeral for it, according to the trade.
While we’re excited for films like Toy Story 5, Incredibles 3, and Coco 2, it is a bummer to hear Pixar and Disney executives gave up on what at least sounds like a good idea. Especially one that now, thanks to KPop Demon Hunters, we see had every chance at success.
Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
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