Pixar almost had its own Kpop Demon Hunters moment but, alas, it slipped through the fingers of the animation giant. Netflix's Kpop Demon Hunters, a groundbreaking series that has taken the world by storm, was an unexpected shock to Disney and Pixar’s traditionally male-dominated animation landscape.
The tale of Be Fri, a film about two childhood best friends who embark on a galaxy-hopping adventure to save the world from demons, could have filled a similar niche. However, Disney-Pixar's feedback essentially demanded a do-over in just 6 weeks, leading to Be Fri’s cancellation. The core issue? According to sources, it was a ‘girl power’ theme that failed to resonate with male audiences.
It's fascinating how the global success of Kpop Demon Hunters, which champions girl power and musical elements, contrasts with Pixar's hesitance. As Kristen Lester explains in her film, 'The comparisons are pretty undeniable because there were musical aspects to it, and it was a rip-roaring time.' This highlights a broader issue within the industry: is girl power still seen as an outlier?
With new releases like Hoppers proving that non-legacy animation can still be successful, perhaps Be Fri might yet rise from the ashes. For now, the world of animation remains dominated by legacy films, leaving us to wonder what could have been.
