Sept 19 (Reuters) - Walt Disney Animation Studios, in a

significant leadership shift, on Thursday named Academy

Award-winning filmmaker Jared Bush as its new chief creative

officer, effective immediately.

Bush, the creative force behind movie hits such as

"Encanto," "Zootopia," and writer of the original

Oscar-nominated hit "Moana" takes the reins from Jennifer Lee,

who will return to filmmaking full time to steward the wildly

successful "Frozen" franchise.

Lee joined Walt Disney Animation Studios in 2011 as

co-writer of "Wreck-It Ralph" and writer of "Frozen." After

serving as CCO since 2018, she will now focus on directing and

writing "Frozen 3" and co-writing "Frozen 4" with Marc Smith.

A Disney ( DIS ) veteran of over a decade, Bush will oversee the

creative output of the iconic animation studio, including its

films, series and associated projects, Disney ( DIS ) said in a

statement.

Bush is currently working on "Zootopia 2" and serves as the

writer and executive producer of the upcoming "Moana 2," both of

which are due to release in the fall of 2025, Disney ( DIS ) said.