Lauren Gunderson, one of the credited writers on Pixar’s Lightyear, defended the film’s controversial lesbian kiss after rapper Snoop Dogg expressed discomfort over the scene appearing in a children’s movie.
Speaking on the It’s Giving podcast, Snoop recalled watching Lightyear with his grandchild when the moment appeared. “Oh shit, I didn’t come in for this shit. I just came to watch the goddamn movie,” he said. “It fucked me up. I’m, like, scared to go to the movies now. Y’all throwing me in the middle of shit that I don’t have an answer for.” He added, “These are kids. We have to show that at this age? They’re going to ask questions. I don’t have the answer.”
In response, Gunderson revealed on Instagram that she was the original writer who created the lesbian couple. “So. I created the Lightyear lesbians,” she wrote. “As we wrote early versions of what became Lightyear, a key character needed a partner, and it was so natural to write ‘she’ instead of ‘he.’ As small as that detail is in the film, I knew the representational effect it could have. Small line, big deal. I was elated that they kept it. I’m proud of it. To infinity. Love is love.”
Gunderson acknowledged she had little involvement in the final script but expressed pride in seeing a “happy queer couple” included, even briefly.
Released in 2022, Lightyear flopped at the box office, grossing just $226 million worldwide against a $200 million production budget, plus marketing. The film’s poor performance was widely seen as an early sign of Disney’s decline, leading to then-CEO Bob Chapek’s ouster and major corporate layoffs.
Snoop Dogg’s remarks sparked debate, with some labeling him homophobic. However, others backed his concerns, including The Breakfast Club hosts. DJ Envy agreed, saying, “I don’t want to have to explain any of this in a cartoon … whether it’s gay [or] hetero as well.” Charlamagne tha God added, “I’m just trying to watch a movie. Now I got to Google this later and explain to my kids.”
