Apple has been in prolonged negotiations to acquire two  John Lasseter-produced titles from Skydance Animation titled "Luck" and "Spellbound, according to Variety sources.

The two films would anchor what sources called a larger agreement between David Ellison’s animation division and the streamer, which has yet to be reached. WME is also said to be involved in the negotiations, which also includes a theatrical release component.

The films had been set up at Paramount Pictures, where Skydance enjoys a lucrative partnership on the “Mission: Impossible” franchise and the upcoming “Top Gun” sequel. Skydance has a contractual right to move the projects at will, another source added.

The handful of executives who screened footage of “Luck” called it “vintage Lasseter,” citing the dazzling production value and commercial appeal the producer is known for, said insiders.

Skydance, Paramount Pictures, and Apple declined to comment. For more on this read the full Variety report.

The film "Luck" is dated for a theatrical release on Feb. 18, 2022 while Spellbound was set for Nov. 11, 2022 according to Deadline.

While Apple fans remember John Lasseter as the genius behind Pixar when Steve Jobs was the owner before selling it to Disney, in 2018 Lasseter left Disney's Pixar following revelations that he sexually harassed employees.

Skydance Animation hired former Pixar Animation Studios and Walt Disney Animation Studios CCO John Lasseter as Head of Animation, which started in late January 2019. This decision has been met with disapproval from contributors to some Skydance projects, including Luck, owing to prior allegations of sexual harassment against Lasseter during his time with Pixar, according to sources listed on Wikipedia.

Last year Emma Thompson exited the movie "Luck" in protest over John Lasseter heading the Skydance animation division according to a Hollywood Reporter story.  There are several major quotes given in that report after her departure from the film. A screenshot from that report is presented below with just one quote.

(Click on image to Enlarge)

Apple has run into the issue of sexual abuse before over the movie "The Banker." Patently Apple posted a report on this last year titled "Apple's Reasoning for Pulling 'The Banker' from its Premier this week and Cancelling its Theatrical Release Revealed."

Garrett Jr., was initially billed as a co-producer of The Banker. Then Garrett Jr.'s half-sisters, roughly 15 years his junior, made Apple aware of their claim that when he was a young man living in their home, he sexually molested them over the course of a few years.

Apple eventually ran with the film anyways and so Apple may decide to overlook the issues surrounding Lasseter's sexual misconduct due to his past connection with the late Steve Jobs.

Then again, it's unknown at this time what the issue behind getting the deal actually signed with Skydance Animation is.   

Archive: Apple TV News