The Chronology of Pixar's Creation and Merger with Disney

In the world of 3D animation, Pixar holds a prominent place, but its journey to this status is complex and intertwined with major players in Hollywood, most notably Disney. Understanding the chronology of Pixar's creation and its eventual merger with Disney is crucial to appreciating the unique partnership that has shaped modern animation.

The Founding of Pixar (1979 - 1986)

The story of Pixar begins in 1979 when George Lucas, the renowned creator of the Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises, hired Ed Catmull to lead the Computer Graphics Group within Lucasfilm. This group was initially established to develop and improve computer graphics technology for filmmaking. Under Catmull's leadership, the group made significant advancements in 3D animation techniques.

Steve Jobs' Acquisition of Pixar (1986)

In 1986, Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple, purchased a significant portion of Lucasfilm's Computer Graphics Group. This acquisition marked the birth of Pixar Animation Studios. Initial challenges arose, as the company struggled to maintain its focus and emerged from bankruptcy. Despite the early hiccups, Jobs maintained a vision for the company, believing in its potential to revolutionize the animation industry.

Pixar and Disney: A Partnership for Animation (1991 - 2006)

The turning point for Pixar came in 1991 with their first official collaboration with Disney. This partnership was not a merger but a contractual agreement where Pixar would create 3D animated movies, and Disney would own the distribution rights for the films. The first movie to result from this agreement was Tootsie, released in 1995.

Tootsie was followed by a string of successful movies such as A Bug's Life (1998), Toy Story (1995), and Toy Story 2 (1999). These collaborations were instrumental in establishing Pixar's reputation and making it a household name in the animation industry. The success of these collaborations led to major contributions to the studio, such as the iconic Monsters, Inc., Find Me Nemo, The Incredibles, and Cars, which were all released from 2001 to 2006.

Tensions and Resolutions (2006 - 2006)

However, the collaboration did not always go smoothly. In the late 1990s, Pixar and Disney faced creative differences, with Pixar wanting to retain ownership of their films, and Disney wanting control. This tension almost led to a breakup of the partnership in 2006, but the involvement of Michael Eisner (President and CEO of Walt Disney Co.) and his eventual replacement by Bob Iger resolved the conflict. This resolution paved the way for the eventual merger between Disney and Pixar in 2006.

The Merger and Influence (2006 - Present)

On November 19, 2006, Disney purchased Pixar for $7.4 billion, making Steve Jobs the chairman of the Disney board. This merger was a significant shift for both companies, signifying their shared vision for 3D animation. However, the terms of the merger were such that Pixar maintained its independence in filmmaking, while Disney retained ownership and distribution rights.

The merger brought substantial financial gains to both companies. For Pixar, becoming part of Disney meant access to an even larger distribution network and additional resources, while for Disney, it provided a leading player in the animation industry.

Conclusion

The journey of Pixar from a Lucasfilm division to a prosperous animation studio and eventually to a major subsidiary of Disney is a testament to the power of collaboration and innovation. Understanding the chronology of Pixar's creation and its merger with Disney is crucial for fans, investors, and those in the animation industry.