Beloved Disney Creator Abandons Hollywood Glory to Put Jesus on the Big Screen
Tom Bancroft’s name may not be instantly recognizable, but his work is unforgettable. He’s the animator who helped bring Mushu the dragon to life in Mulan (1998), shaped young Simba in The Lion King (1994), and even gave personality to Abu in Aladdin (1992). For years, he was a driving force behind Disney’s golden streak of animated hits.
Yet, despite his dream career, this legendary animator walked away from Disney entirely. Why? To follow a higher calling and create a new animated film about Jesus. “It’s a dream project I didn’t even realize I was dreaming,” Bancroft said of his latest work. “And it’s something I’m probably prouder of than even The Lion King.”
Remembering the Renaissance
The 1990s were a magical time for Disney. Classics like Beauty and the Beast (1991), Pocahontas (1995), and Brother Bear (2003) defined a generation. Bancroft played a role in several of these projects, adding humor, charm, and depth to characters that remain household names decades later.
Mushu’s sarcastic wit balanced Mulan’s heavy responsibility, while young Simba carried the emotional center of one of Disney’s most iconic films. Bancroft wasn’t just drawing lines on paper—he was helping craft characters that shaped childhoods.
Why He Stepped Away
But the applause and acclaim couldn’t drown out Bancroft’s inner conflict. In 2000, while working on an animated short about the folk hero John Henry, he included themes of faith. During a private screening, an executive admitted the religious elements made them “uncomfortable.”
“That really slammed into my face,” Bancroft recalled. Within six months, he was gone. The experience cemented his decision to leave, realizing he could no longer work at a studio where faith-based narratives were pushed aside.
Putting Faith First
Bancroft has since spoken openly about how his career once consumed him. “I was worshiping my career, not God,” he confessed. Leaving Disney wasn’t easy, but it gave him space to realign his priorities—faith, family, and storytelling that reflected both.
That decision eventually led him to faith-based projects, including work with VeggieTales. It paved the way for his boldest step yet: co-directing a feature-length animated film about Jesus.
Light of the World
His latest project, Light of the World (2025), tells the story of Jesus through the eyes of the Apostle John. It blends coming-of-age themes and spiritual discovery, inviting audiences to see the Gospel in a fresh, personal way.
Styled with hand-drawn animation and brush-like textures, it looks and feels like something from Disney’s golden years. The film premiered at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C., before its September 5 nationwide release. “Honestly, it’s just how Disney would have done it in the ’90s—without the musical,” Bancroft explained.
The Demand for Faith-Based Films
Some might question whether audiences will turn up for a faith-centered animated movie. Yet, the numbers suggest otherwise. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever holds a 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, while King of Kings (2025) earned $76.8 million. Families are clearly eager for wholesome, faith-driven stories.
More Than Animation
Bancroft’s story isn’t about rejecting Disney—it’s about pursuing purpose. He proved that success doesn’t mean much if it costs you your convictions. Today, he’s more fulfilled than ever, telling the most incredible story ever told in the medium he knows best.
For Bancroft, Light of the World isn’t just another movie credit. It’s his proudest achievement. And it speaks volumes that a man behind Disney’s most iconic characters finds more profound joy in drawing Jesus than in drawing Simba.
