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"Lightyear" producer Galyn Susman says they're "excited" the creative team was able to restore a same-sex kiss between two female characters in June's upcoming animated Pixar film.
"Yes, we have a kiss," Susman said when asked about the reinsertion of the scene during a virtual press day for the "Toy Story" universe film in early April that Insider attended.
"We've always had the lesbian couple. They've always been a part of the film," Susman added. "Being able to put back the kiss was important to us. It's a touching moment."
In early March, Disney employees accused executives of cutting "nearly every moment of overtly gay affection" from Pixar films.
The statement, obtained by Variety, was part of a larger backlash from Disney employees last month in response to the company's handling of Florida's "Parental Rights in Education" bill, which has been referred to as the "Don't Say Gay" bill by opponents.
After backlash, Variety reported that "Lightyear" restored a kiss between two female characters that was previously cut from the film.
Disney/Pixar
The kiss takes place in the film's first 30 minutes between Buzz Lightyear's (Chris Evans) best friend and colleague Commander Alisha Hawthorne (Uzo Aduba) and her partner during a montage sequence. Insider previewed footage of the movie in March containing the brief moment.
During the press conference, director Angus MacLane explained that "Lightyear" is supposed to be "Toy Story" character Andy's favorite movie, following the fictional space ranger Buzz Lightyear that inspired his toy.
In the film, Lightyear crash lands his fleet's ship onto a planet, destroying its hyperspeed crystal in the process. He works tirelessly to find a crystal replacement and get his crew back home.
Unfortunately, each time he goes into space to test out a crystal, four years pass on the planet where he's left Alisha and their comrades. Meanwhile, only minutes pass for Buzz. During a montage sequence that feels quite similar to the somber one from "Up," Buzz watches as Alisha's life passes right before his eyes as he stays roughly the same age.
Disney/Pixar
Of the montage, Susman added: "It's the life that's being lived in front of [Buzz] by his best friend that he's not having. He doesn't have those kinds of relationships. He doesn't have a child. He doesn't have what she has. And so it was important for us to get [the kiss] back in there and we're really excited about that."
In a later presentation for more press the same day, Susman spoke about the moment more in-depth, saying, "Alisha, Buzz's best friend, Buzz's commander, is the heart of act one. She represents everything that Buzz doesn't have, everything that Buzz gives up in his singular pursuit of fixing his mistake."
"It was really important for us that we had a relationship — that we showed a life, a full life, well-lived," Susman added. "And so, the kiss is a poignant moment within a whole montage of showing all that Buzz didn't have by being so singularly focused. We think it's really beautiful and hope that everybody enjoys it."
"Lightyear" will be in theaters on June 17.
