The man who was the inspiration for Russell in the Pixar movie Up is credited with saving the studio’s next movie The Good Dinosaur from extinction, reports the Daily Beast.
Peter Sohn worked as a storyboard artist for Up and was named co-director of The Good Dinosaur in 2009. He stepped in as director in 2013 when Bob Peterson was removed.
“It started in 2009, and there was great energy building the project up, but then the story got stuck to the point where people didn’t know how to dig it out, so then I was asked on,” said Sohn. “Once I got on, I changed some big plot points to fuel Arlo’s character, and that’s been the past under two years of working.”
The Good Dinosaur is set to debut November 25. The plot centers around a dinosaur named Arlo who makes an unlikely friend.
LATEST STORIES
Sohn has benefited from the guidance of Pixar director Brad Bird who he cold called during his sophomore year of college. Bird helped get Sohn’s portfolio noticed at Pixar and he landed a gig as a story artist for Finding Nemo.
“I’m so excited! This has been a lifelong dream for me,” said Sohn, beaming. “Over 300 people worked on this movie, and every time I watch a clip of it I’m reminded of all the hard work put into it by the whole team.”
You can read more about Sohn rise at Pixar and his encounters with Steve Jobs in the Daily Beast.
RELATED STORY
Pixar’s first Asian-themed film to be released next month
