Disney+ Softens Content Warnings on Old Movies Amid Company Tweaks to DEI Policy – IndieWire
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We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.The effects of the Trump administration’s war on DEI are being felt at Disney. Disney is changing its overall strategy toward diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives as the federal government says it will investigate what it believes to be illegal practices by public companies. One of the first changes is coming to Disney+.Disney+ regularly includes content warnings ahead of older, classic films in its library, including movies like “Dumbo,” “The Aristocats,” “Peter Pan,” and others. Those content warnings that pre-roll before the movie are being tweaked, arguably softened, an individual with knowledge of the changes told IndieWire. The language previously read that these films contain “negative depictions and/or mistreatment of peoples or cultures.” It will now read this: “This program is presented as originally created and may contain stereotypes or negative depictions.”
Related Stories Robert De Niro Mafia Drama ‘The Alto Knights’ Sets U.S. Premiere for Tribeca Members ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ Sneak Peek: A More Visceral and Immersive Live-Action Remake Content warnings on some of Disney’s films date back to 2019 when Disney+ launched, but the language has evolved over the years. The latest version is reverting closer to what it was back in 2019. The larger changes to Disney DEI were first observed on Tuesday, February 11 when an SEC filing omitted mention of the “Reimagine Tomorrow” initiative that was launched in 2021 as a means to elevate underrepresented groups and racial minorities. The filing still listed “Heroes Work Here,” a program designed to help hire veterans, under its DEI policies.Sonia Coleman, Disney’s chief human resources officer, also outlined new measures to evaluate executive compensation as part of its “Other Performance Factors (OPFs)” within its DEI changes. “Beginning this fiscal year, we are adding a new ‘Talent Strategy’ factor to our executive compensation planning,” Coleman said in a memo sent to leadership on Tuesday and obtained by IndieWire. “This factor will assess how leaders uphold our company values, incorporate different perspectives to drive business success, cultivate an environment where all employees can thrive, and sustain a robust pipeline to ensure long-term organizational strength. This new factor represents an evolution of important concepts in the former Diversity & Inclusion OPF and will be used alongside our other two OPFs, ‘Storytelling & Creativity’ and ‘Synergy.’”
Other studios will likely follow Disney in tweaks to their DEI policies as pressure from the Trump administration grows. Disney has especially been a lightning rod for the culture wars, most notably amid the company’s fight with Florida and Gov. Ron DeSantis over the state’s so-called “Don’t Say Gay” law. DeSantis retaliated back in 2023, sparking an ugly legal battle.Disney has come under fire for other recent moves around representation. It removed a storyline involving a trans character in the Pixar series “Win or Lose” and said in a statement that “many parents would prefer to discuss certain subjects with their children on their own terms and timeline.” There were also reports that there were calls to make Riley, the protagonist of “Inside Out 2,” appear less gay coded. The Trump administration has specifically targeted trans individuals with some of its own policy changes and Trump’s executive orders.Axios first reported the news of the changes to the DEI policy. By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy.
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