Animation talent moving to other studios is nothing new in the film industry. However, when a director like Rich Moore known for some of Disney’s most well received hits like Wreck-It Ralph and Zootopia leaves the company, it is striking to see something like this happen. Moore has announced that he is leaving Walt Disney Animation Studios to join Sony Pictures Animation Studios.

Moore’s role in Sony Pictures Animation will be to help direct and produce new original projects along with overseeing series based projects. Sony Pictures is riding high with their recent Oscar win for Spider-Man Into the Spider-Verse, and they expressed some major excitement when bringing on Moore to their team. The studio’s President, Kristine Belson stated that “Rich is a world-class storyteller and he brings with him a wealth of experience and a unique sensibility for story, comedy and heart.” Moore is expected to contribute some bold new work to the company, which given his previous work like Zootopia, that seems to be guaranteed at Sony.

While Moore himself is moving onto bigger things at Sony Pictures animation, the Oscar-winning director does not regret his time at Disney. Moore has been with the company for a decade with many Oscar nominations and much praise for his work on numerous Disney films. Moore stated during his departure, “When you’re working on incredible films with people you love as I have these last ten years, that time flies by. I will always cherish my days at the Walt Disney Animation Studios and I leave with the faith that the studio is in good hands. I remain a lifelong Disney Animation fan and look forward to the films they’ll create in the future.”. While he will be surely missed at Disney, the company will still remember such a legacy of his work and his future seems brighter than ever at Sony Pictures Animation.