Dame Emma Thompson made headlines a couple of weeks ago when it was reported by The Hollywood Reporter that she had quit Skydance Animation’s upcoming film, Luck, due to her “concerns” over the studio’s hiring of ex-Pixar creative lead John Lasseter, who was accused of sexual misconduct in 2017.
After staying silent on the matter, the actress has now shared a powerful letter to Skydance’s management detailing the reasons why she left the project.
In the letter, published in full by the Los Angeles Times, Thompson praised Luck‘s director Alessandro Carloni and the film’s creative team before detailing several concerns over Lasseter’s hiring.
Some of the points she brought up include:
- Why women would want to work for Lasseter when it says in his contract that “he must behave ‘professionally’” after decades of “touching women inappropriately”:
“If a man has been touching women inappropriately for decades, why would a woman want to work for him if the only reason he’s not touching them inappropriately now is that it says in his contract that he must behave “professionally’? “
- Why women would think any respect shown to them by Lasseter is anything other than sincere:
“If a man has made women at his companies feel undervalued and disrespected for decades, why should the women at his new company think that any respect he shows them is anything other than an act that he’s required to perform by his coach, his therapist and his employment agreement? The message seems to be, “I am learning to feel respect for women so please be patient while I work on it. It’s not easy.”
- Lasseter is essentially getting paid millions to get a “second chance” without any input from Skydance’s employees:
“Much has been said about giving John Lasseter a “second chance.” But he is presumably being paid millions of dollars to receive that second chance. How much money are the employees at Skydance being paid to GIVE him that second chance?”
Thompson concludes her letter by writing how she “can only do what feels right during these difficult times of transition and collective consciousness raising” and that she’s taking a stand in an effort to “protect [her] daughter’s generation”.
Here’s the letter in full:
Emma Thompson writes to the producers of "Luck" re their hiring of John Lasseter, who recently left Disney/Pixar following multiple allegations of sexual misconduct. https://t.co/Bfxcn2bgNB pic.twitter.com/6ouWBkClpv
— Letters of Note (@LettersOfNote) February 26, 2019
Following the publication of Thompson’s letter, the social media response was widely in support of the actress’ stance with some stating that her actions and letter represent a “significant” moment in the #MeToo movement.
I don't think I am overstating this, but this letter from Emma Thompson on her departure from Luck is one the most significant moments in this movement. pic.twitter.com/RXkr7FXOkL
— Melissa Silverstein (@melsil) February 26, 2019
This is brilliant from Emma Thompson. Would be brilliant though if it didn't just have to be women that do this, but men who demand this sort of thing too. https://t.co/pBsbapr1Zt
— Adrian Bradley (@adebradley) February 26, 2019
Emma Thompson is incredible. This is what it means to use a position of power and privilege for good https://t.co/bCcXFX6Ykx pic.twitter.com/esFxCtv2gd
— Emma Fraser (@frazbelina) February 26, 2019
There’s no denying that Thompson’s stance is a powerful statement in support of the #MeToo movement.
Skydance has yet to issue a response to the actress’ letter at the time of writing.