Pixar Animation Studios, nearly ended before it began. Once a part of Lucasfilm Computer Division’s Graphics Group, George Lucas pulled an ‘Order 66’ on Pixar during his divorce, partly due to his lack of belief in their groundbreaking computer-generated animation ideas.
But alas, the savior never came, and Jobs swooped in, taking control of both companies like a corporate conqueror. It’s ironic that the creator of one of the most iconic and beloved franchises, Star Wars, couldn’t see the potential in Pixar Animation Studios. Instead, he let his ego and personal troubles blind him.
Meanwhile, the founders of Pixar, Ed Catmull and Alvy Ray Smith, were left hanging by a thread, their dreams and aspirations crumbling at the hands of their former boss’s selfishness. And let’s not forget about Jim Morris, the present-day CEO of Pixar, who was barely mentioned in this whole ordeal.
But let’s take a moment to appreciate the irony here. The man who created Star Wars couldn’t see the potential in a company that went on to create some of the most beloved animated films of all time. And the man who revolutionized the tech industry with Apple had no qualms about taking advantage of someone else’s misfortune.
It’s clear that Lucas and Jobs were too busy thinking about their own personal gains rather than the potential success of the companies they were involved with. And let’s not forget the lesson we can learn from this tale – never trust anyone with three names, they’re probably too busy scheming to screw over their colleagues.
One thing to remember: this is a cautionary tale of how not to run a successful company. It’s also a reminder that even legends can be selfish jerks. And next time you see a Hollywood reboot, remember that it may just be a cry for help from a washed-up director. Thank you for coming to our TED talk on “The Pitfalls of Corporate Greed” via George Lucas, his divorce, and Pixar.
