Disney has apparently pulled a “casting couch” joke from a re-released version of Toy Story 2, following the rise of the Me Too movement.
The closing credits of Toy Story 2 feature the characters in a mock blooper reel, including one scene which shows Kelsey Grammer’s character The Prospector (aka Stinky Pete) in conversation with two Barbie dolls in his box.
“And so you two are absolutely identical?” he’s heard asking, in what’s supposed to be a candid conversation, before saying he’s “sure he can get them a part in Toy Story 3”.
However, in a new version of the film released on DVD and Blu-Ray last month, the joke looks to have been axed.
The original scene was also included in a YouTube video on Disney UK’s official channel, but when reports of the joke being axed began, Vice claimed that this was also quietly removed.
HuffPost UK has contacted representatives for both Disney and Pixar for further comment.
The Me Too movement began gaining momentum towards the end of 2017, when several high-profile figures within the entertainment industry were met with accusations of work-place sexual misconduct.
This included Toy Story 2 director John Lasseter, who took a leave of absence from Pixar in November 2017 after acknowledging his own “missteps”, following accusations of “grabbing” and “kissing” employees, as well as “making comments about physical attributes”.
In June the following year, it was announced that he was leaving the production company on a permanent basis. He has since moved to Skydance Animation, which he is now the head of.
The last Disney film to feature an executive producer credit from Lasseter, Frozen 2, will arrive in UK cinemas later this year.
- Rape Crisis services for women and girls who have been raped or have experienced sexual violence - 0808 802 9999
- Survivors UK offers support for men and boys - 0203 598 3898