Ex-Disney Animator Follows Faith in New Film

A former Disney animator, known for his work on “Mushu” and “Simba,” has transitioned away from Hollywood to embrace his faith. Tom Bancroft shared with Fox News Digital that his latest project was something he never anticipated wanting to do. He described it as a dream project that brings him immense pride, perhaps even more so than his earlier work on “The Lion King.”

Bancroft co-directed a film called The Light of the World, which recounts the story of Jesus Christ from the perspective of his young disciple, John. The film follows John’s journey as he navigates his friendship with Jesus, confronts the concept of the cross, and ultimately grasps the deeper significance of faith. Bancroft noted that it’s reminiscent of Disney’s storytelling style in the 90s, but without musical numbers.

Having worked as a leading animator at Disney for 12 years, Bancroft left the studio due to a growing desire to focus on Christian-themed animation. He animated iconic characters like young Simba from “The Lion King,” and even voiced his experiences during a time when Disney faced criticism from certain community groups.

Back in 2000, Bancroft created an animated short about John Henry, exploring themes of faith and resilience. However, he recalled a discouraging remark from a Disney executive during a private screening, who suggested the film’s religious elements were “uncomfortable.” This reaction resonated with Bancroft, especially considering he had previously defended Disney’s incorporation of cultural and spiritual elements in movies like “Pocahontas” and “Mulan.” Still, he felt that when it came to Christian narratives, they often took a backseat. He mentioned that adjustments were made to the final product in response to feedback.

Reflecting on his decision to leave Disney, Bancroft recalled, “That was the day.” He expressed a desire to produce family-friendly entertainment that aligns with his values and those of the Lord.

Over time, Bancroft collaborated with other animation veterans on various projects, including the Christian Kids series “VeggieTales” and CBN’s “Superbook.” He now sees his earlier Disney work, particularly the “John Henry” short, as a pivotal moment that redirected him towards faith-based storytelling.

Though he acknowledges Disney is not a Christian organization, he feels that the studio has veered away from its family-centric roots, often promoting messages that some parents may find objectionable.

Bancroft believes there is a tangible audience for faith-based films, and he has continued to pursue this niche. In fact, in 2020, he and fellow animators founded Pencilish Studios, which aims to create original 2D content, a medium he still enjoys despite the industry’s shift toward computer-generated animation.

His love for hand-drawn animation has remained strong, fueled by the nostalgia people feel for traditional styles. Recently, he was inspired by a colleague to help develop this new hand-drawn animation feature about Jesus, which is entirely funded by the Salvation Poem Foundation.

Bancroft expressed gratitude for the creative freedom he experienced while working on “Light of the World.” He hopes that more creators will embrace projects like this, recognizing their potential to make a positive impact on viewers.

The film is set to premiere in theaters on September 5th.

Disney has not commented on Bancroft’s departure or his new venture.