The Cancellation of Be Fri and Its Surprising Resemblance to KPop Demon Hunters
Pixar had an ambitious animated musical in development for three years that bore striking thematic similarities to the recent hit KPop Demon Hunters, only for Disney brass to abruptly kill the project in 2023. Titled Be Fri (stylized as BeFri), this film was a passion project featuring director Kristen Lester (Purl), screenwriter Blaise Hemingway, and editor Nicholas C. Smith. The decision to cancel the movie reportedly stemmed from internal concerns that little boys could not see themselves in the story, leading to accusations that executives rejected a "girl power movie" they deemed too niche for their core audience.
A Musical Quest and the Pressure of Retooling
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Be Fri was deeply inspired by director Kristen Lester’s own real-life experience with an adolescent friendship that dissolved. The plot centered on two teenage girls, former best friends who drift apart after discovering their favorite Sailor Moon-style TV show is real. To save humanity, the duo must embark on a universe-spanning quest, blending emotional storytelling with high-stakes adventure.
The creative team, which included at least 50 other Pixar employees, worked tirelessly to satisfy notes from Disney executives. However, the pressure mounted as the film underwent retooling at least four times following feedback. A former staffer revealed that Lester, Hemingway, and Smith spent six weeks of "night and day" work to compress a year’s worth of storyboarding into a single month for the fourth version. One employee described the resulting footage as being "on Hopper's level," expressing bewilderment at why it was ultimately rejected despite its quality.
The Cultural Context Behind the Cancellation
The cancellation of Be Fri in late 2023 occurred amidst significant political backlash facing Disney. The studio was navigating a public feud with Florida’s governor, criticism from right-wing groups over a same-sex kiss in Lightyear, and internal changes to remove queer references from the film Elio. In this charged environment, executives reportedly feared that a female-led musical would alienate young male viewers.
Despite the team's efforts to reformat the film, the decision stood. The staff members who worked on Be Fri were so devastated by the project's sudden end that they staged a memorial service for the movie within the workplace. This event highlighted the deep emotional investment and disappointment felt by the creative community regarding the loss of such a unique concept.
Similarities to KPop Demon Hunters and Industry History
The comparisons between Be Fri and KPop Demon Hunters are described as "undeniable" due to their shared musical aspects and energetic, "rip-roaring" narratives. Just like Netflix’s future Oscar-winning blockbuster, Be Fri aimed to blend pop culture sensibilities with a supernatural quest. While Disney has a history of canceling films in development—such as Pixar's Newt in 2011 or Disney Animation's Gigantic in 2017—the specific reasons for killing Be Fri have sparked debate about audience demographics.
Looking ahead, Pixar’s upcoming slate includes Toy Story 5, Gatto, and Incredibles 3. Yet the story of Be Fri remains a notable chapter regarding the challenges female-led stories face in major studio productions. The former employee noted that with each round of notes, Disney simply felt they could not market the film effectively to boys, ultimately prioritizing perceived demographic constraints over artistic merit.
