Pixar Names Jonathan Garson President as Jim Morris Moves to Retirement

Pixar Animation Studios has promoted Jonathan Garson to president, effective January 4, as Jim Morris steps aside after 12 years in the role and prepares for retirement. The Walt Disney Company, which owns Pixar, announced the transition Wednesday afternoon.

Garson is not an outsider. He has spent 30 years at Disney and most recently served as Pixar's general manager, after leading its marketing and franchise team. As president, he will oversee production and operations at the studio, partnering with chief creative officer Pete Docter. Both Garson and Morris will report to Alan Bergman, chairman of Disney Entertainment and Studios.

Morris, 21 years at Pixar and 52 in the business, is not leaving entirely. He becomes president emeritus and stays on as executive producer of "Incredibles 3," which is due out in June 2028, while also working on talent development, mentorship and technology initiatives.

Bergman framed the move as a planned handover. "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. "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."

On the incoming president, Bergman said: "With a deep background at both Pixar and Disney, Jonathan Garson 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."

What does the reshuffle change for Pixar's creative side?

The second, quieter half of the announcement concerns Jonas Rivera, who rises to executive vice president of creative. Rivera will oversee directors, creative vice presidents, development, casting and content advisement departments, in partnership with Docter. The two will serve as executive producers on all Pixar films.

Rivera, who joined as the studio's first production intern, called the place "my life's work" and named Morris as an extraordinary mentor. "I am deeply honored to step into this new role alongside Pete, partnering with him and Jonathan to support our incredible filmmakers and artists," he said. "I intend to build on the lessons I learned from him as we look toward our next chapter."

The structure that emerges is a three-person leadership core: Garson runs production and operations, Rivera and Docter run the creative apparatus, and both halves report up to Bergman. Garson's statement signals he intends continuity, praising the production leadership team led by Katherine Sarafian and Lindsey Collins and promising to "continue to push boundaries."

The man handing over the keys

Morris's own farewell statement carried the weight of a long career — nearly 40 years at Lucasfilm and Pixar combined. "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," he said.

He was blunt about the succession: "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, for his part, reached back to his own origin as a fan. "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," he said, adding that Morris had shown him "what it looks like to safeguard this culture of quality, innovation, and creative ambition."

Why the timing matters

The studio arrives at this transition from a position of strength. "Toy Story 5" earned over $1.1 billion at the global box office, making it the 10th-highest-grossing animated feature of all time. The slate ahead leans on originals — "Gatto" in March and "Ghost Market" in March 2028 — before "Incredibles 3" arrives in June 2028, with Morris still attached as executive producer.

That calendar gives Garson a long runway. His first test won't be a crisis but a pivot: keeping a franchise-driven hit machine running while two untested original films carry the studio's near-term fortunes.