Legendary Disney filmmaker John Musker, known for co-directing beloved classics such as “The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin,” and “Moana,” recently expressed his concerns about The Walt Disney Company’s current direction. Musker shared his perspective at the Animayo International Summit in Gran Canaria, emphasizing the need for Disney to prioritize engaging stories and compelling characters over political messages.
Speaking to Spanish outlet El País, Musker reflected on Disney’s recent trend of weaving strong political themes into its narratives. “I think they need to do a course correction a bit in terms of putting the message secondary, behind entertainment and compelling story and engaging characters,” he stated. Musker, who also directed “The Princess and The Frog” with Ron Clements, addressed prior criticisms labeling the film as woke, clarifying that their intent was never to push any agenda but to create a captivating tale.
The director discussed the organic appeal of classic Disney films which endeared audiences through character-driven stories rather than overt messages. “The classic Disney films didn’t start out trying to have a message. They wanted you to get involved in the characters and the story and the world, and I think that’s still the heart of it,” Musker said. This philosophy contrasted with the recent backlash Disney has faced regarding its perceived push of a progressive agenda, notably exemplified by the response to 2022’s “Lightyear.”
In addition to storytelling, Musker recounted navigating political sensitivity during his time at Disney. He illustrated this by recalling the necessity to change the city name from “Baghdad” to “Agrabah” in “Aladdin” during the Gulf War. These insights underscore Musker’s belief that while agendas don’t need to be excluded, the essence of storytelling and character connection should always lead.
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For more on this story, check out the original source on [Fox News](https://www.foxnews.com/media/little-mermaid-aladdin-director-says-disney-needs-course-correction-away-pushing-political-message).
