Circle 7 Animation

Circle 7 Animation

Type	Division
Industry	Animation, Film production
Products	Animated films

Circle 7 Animation was a division of Walt Disney Feature Animation specializing in CGI animated films. Established in 2004 and based in Glendale, California, it was created with the intent of producing sequels to the Pixar properties that Disney held the rights to before the acquisition of Pixar by The Walt Disney Company in 2006. The studio was named after the street where its facilities were located, Circle 7 Drive.

History

Circle 7 Animation was formed following a period of strained relationships between Disney and Pixar, during which Disney retained the rights to make sequels to Pixar films. The studio's creation was part of a strategy to continue popular franchises independently of Pixar. Notable projects that were in development included sequels to Toy Story, Monsters, Inc., and Finding Nemo.

Despite the investment in setting up a studio and beginning preliminary work on several projects, Circle 7 Animation was short-lived. When Robert Iger took over as CEO of Disney in 2005, he repaired the relationship with Pixar and eventually led Disney to acquire Pixar in 2006. Following the acquisition, the projects at Circle 7 were canceled, and the studio was shut down.

Projects

Circle 7 Animation had begun work on several sequels:

• Toy Story 3 - This version was significantly different from the eventual Pixar-made Toy Story 3 released in 2010. Circle 7's version involved the other toys shipping Buzz Lightyear to Taiwan after he malfunctions, believing he will be fixed there.
• Monsters, Inc. 2 - Planned to focus on Mike Wazowski and Sulley visiting the human world to give Boo a birthday present only to find she had moved.
• Finding Nemo 2 - Little is known about the plot that was being developed by Circle 7.

Impact and Legacy

The existence of Circle 7 Animation had a significant impact on Disney's corporate strategy, highlighting the complexities of film rights and sequel production in the animation industry. The studio's brief lifespan is often cited as a pivotal moment leading to Disney's acquisition of Pixar. This acquisition not only reunited Disney with Pixar's creative talent but also ensured that all future sequels to Pixar films would be developed under the Pixar banner.

Closure

Circle 7 Animation was officially closed in 2006 following the Disney-Pixar merger. The staff were either laid off or absorbed into other projects within the Disney animation studios.