“Has animation A-lister Brad Bird left the medium … in part out of creative frustration?” asks The Hollywood Reporter, based on recent quotes from the filmmaker during a CalArts fundraising salon on Jan. 29. Appearing with Pixar colleague Mark Andrews, Bird allegedly questioned why mainstream animation studios won’t attempt films for older audiences. “Why does it always have to be cute?” he asked. The director continued by noting Disney “has the budget and the talent but doesn’t want to do those subjects.” Bird’s most recent animated feature was Disney/Pixar’s Ratatouille in 2007; he is currently directing the live-action Tomorrowland for Disney.