Pixar Casting for Teen Trans Role in Upcoming Film

Pixar, the award-winning animation studio owned by the Walt Disney Co., recently put out a casting notice for a trans character in an upcoming project, according to the Twitter account of the San Francisco Trans March.

"Pixar is casting a youth voice-over for an upcoming animated project," reads the notice from the Emeryville, Calif., studio and posted by the Trans March on Tuesday. "The character, Jess, is a 14-year-old transgender girl. She's compassionate, funny, and always has your back."

The company indicates it is only seeking female actors for the role and doesn't specify that they be trans themselves.

Of the attributes Pixar is seeking in their voice actor, one is "can authentically portray a 14-year-old transgender girl."

The Trans March tweeted that it verifed the casting notice is real, but it's not clear whether it's for an upcoming full-length movie or a short film.

Pixar made history when its 2020 film Onward featured a minor character who was queer (voiced by Lena Waithe). Pixar also released a short film last year, Out, centering on gay male characters.