Yahoo News Emma Thompson's powerful letter reveals why she quit new movie
Updated – February 26, 2019: Emma Thompson has confirmed reports that she quit her new film project Luck due to the hiring of former Pixar boss John Lasseter.
The actress shared her reasons for quitting the feature in a letter to Skydance Animation management, which was later made available to The LA Times where it was published in full, in which she posed several questions to the studio regarding Lasseter's involvement.
Lasseter has previously acknowledged "missteps" in behaviour with colleagues and apologised for unwanted hugs or other gestures that might have made people feel "disrespected or uncomfortable".
"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'?" Emma questioned.
The actress ended the letter by adding that she regrets having to step away from the project but said that she "can only do what feels right during these difficult times of transition and collective consciousness raising".
"If people who have spoken out – like me – do not take this sort of a stand then things are very unlikely to change at anything like the pace required to protect my daughter's generation," Emma concluded.
Original – February 20, 2019: Dame Emma Thompson has stepped down from a new animated film over the appointment of former Pixar boss John Lasseter.
The animator departed the company last year after allegations were made about his workplace conduct.
The Nanny McPhee star had already attended some recording sessions for a film called Luck from studio Skydance Animation, which hired Lasseter in January.
Buzzfeed News confirmed with Thompson's representative that she had left the film, and that it was because of Lasseter's hiring.
Back in November 2017, Lasseter addressed claims that he had made some employees feel "disrespected or uncomfortable".
He wrote in a memo to staff: "It's been brought to my attention that I have made some of you feel disrespected or uncomfortable. That was never my intent. Collectively, you mean the world to me, and I deeply apologise if I have let you down.
"I especially want to apologise to anyone who has ever been on the receiving end of an unwanted hug or any other gesture they felt crossed the line in any way, shape, or form. No matter how benign my intent, everyone has the right to set their own boundaries and have them respected."
Originally he was to take a six-month leave of absence but The Walt Disney Company later announced that he was to leave his role as chief creative officer at Disney and Pixar.
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