Disney announced on Thursday that Jennifer Lee has stepped down from her position as Chief Creative Officer (CCO) of Walt Disney Animation Studios and Jared Bush has been named the new chief.

Bush is CCO effective immediately, reporting to Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman.

“Jared Bush is an incredible filmmaker and a talented executive who’s been a prominent creative force at Disney Animation for the past decade, and I am thrilled that he’ll be taking the reins of this storied studio,” Bergman said. “I also want to thank Jennifer Lee for her passionate leadership of the studio over the past several years — she’s made an indelible mark on both Disney Animation and the industry. I know she has so many more stories to tell, and there is truly no one better suited to oversee the continuation of the beloved story of ‘Frozen.’”

Lee joined Walt Disney Animation in 2011 as a co-writer for “Wreck-It Ralph.” She has been CCO since 2018 but decided to return to full-time filmmaking, focusing on the “Frozen” franchise. She wrote and co-directed with Chris Buck the first two “Frozen” films. She is writing and directing “Frozen 3,” and co-writing “Frozen 4” with Marc Smith. The films are being developed simultaneously.

Lee said, “I am so grateful to Bob [Iger] and Alan for supporting my decision to return to filmmaking full time. Every day working with them is a master class in creativity, business, community, and integrity. I’ve always believed in Jared’s incredible talent and can’t wait to see, with his passion and dedication to animation, what he brings to the CCO role. For me, getting to collaborate with this studio of artists, animators, and storytellers is such a privilege, and I look forward to all we will create together.”

Bush has been with Walt Disney Animation Studios for over a decade. He executive produced “Raya and the Last Dragon,” co-wrote and co-directed “Zootopia,” wrote “Moana,” and co-wrote and co-directed “Encanto,” for which he won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. He is executive producing “Moana 2,” alongside Lee, and directing and writing “Zootopia 2.”

“I am so deeply grateful to Bob Iger and Alan Bergman for their faith in me, and thankful to Jennifer for her leadership and for her generous support as she embarks on the next chapters of ‘Frozen,’” said Bush. “Disney Animation is home to some of the greatest stories and characters of the past century, and I’m so excited to work with all of our filmmakers, artists, and Disney Animation team members as we shape the future of this legendary studio together.”

Clark Spencer remains President of Walt Disney Animation Studios.

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