<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.1

Note: Information in this document marked with an "[*]" has been omitted and
filed separately with the Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested
with respect to the omitted portions.


                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

      This Employment Agreement made and entered into by and between PIXAR, a
California corporation (the "Company") and JOHN LASSETER ("Employee") effective
as of March 21, 2001.

      Reference is made to that certain executed Employment Agreement ("Prior
Agreement") made and entered into by and between Company and John Lasseter dated
as of February 24, 1997.

      As an inducement for the parties to enter into this Employment Agreement,
the parties agree that notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the
Prior Agreement, the Term of the Prior Agreement shall expire as of March 20,
2001 and shall be superceded by this Agreement.

      1.    ENGAGEMENT:

            1.1   Guaranteed Employment Term.

                  (a) The Company agrees to employ Employee and Employee agrees
to accept such employment, for a period equal to ten (10) years commencing on
March 21, 2001 ("Start Date") and ending on March 20, 2011 (the "Term"). Company
may terminate this Employment Agreement prior to the expiration of the Term in
accordance with Company's Termination Rights under 6.5 below or in the event of
Employee's death, Incapacity or Default or an event of Force Majeure as more
fully set forth in paragraph 6.8 below. Employee may not terminate Employee's
services hereunder prior to the expiration of the Term except as more fully set
forth in paragraphs 6.7 and 6.8 below.

            1.2 Duties and Responsibilities.

                  (a) During the Term and any extensions thereof, Employee shall
be employed by the Company as a director and as "Executive Vice President -
Creative" of the Company, reporting directly to the CEO of Company and/or the
President, and/or the Office of the President, if any, as the CEO of Company may
from time to time designate. Company and Employee acknowledge that Employee's
first priority shall be the directing or supervision of feature length motion
pictures ("Picture(s)") and serving, at Company's direction, as Company's
representative to Walt Disney Pictures ("Disney") in the exercise of Company's
creative control rights and obligations and that Employee's other duties for
Company shall not materially interfere with such priority services. Employee
agrees that during the Term he will render exclusive services to Company and
devote his full time, effort and energies during business hours to his
responsibilities for the Company, and that he shall faithfully and to the best
of his ability discharge those duties.

                  (b) During the Term, Company and Employee shall have the
following creative control rights with respect to the development,
pre-production, production and post-production of the Pictures, made for home
video productions and short subject motion pictures (collectively, the
"Productions"): (i) with respect to Productions for which Employee renders
executive producing services (but not directing services) [*], provided that in
the event of [*], the [*]; and (ii) with respect to Productions directed by
Employee, [*], provided that each party shall [*] and so not to [*]. The parties
acknowledge that [*].

[*]  Certain information on this page has been omitted and filed separately with
     the Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to
     the omitted portions.
<PAGE>   2

            1.3 Location. Company agrees that Employee's services for Company
will be based at the Company's headquarters in Emeryville, California unless
otherwise approved by Employee.

      2.    COMPENSATION:

            2.1 Salary. Subject to the full and complete performance by Employee
of all of Employee's material obligations hereunder, Company shall pay to
Employee the following:

                (a) Signing Bonus. Company shall pay to Employee the sum of
$4,940,000 within ten (10) business days after the execution of this Employment
Agreement. Company shall pay [*], as directed by Employee, the sum of [*] within
ten (10) business days after execution of this Employment Agreement.

                (b) Salary. Company shall pay to Employee the annual salary of
$2,500,000, with five percent (5%) cumulative annual increases at each
anniversary date of the Start Date. Employee's salary shall be payable in
accordance with Company's customary payroll practices, which in no event shall
be less frequently than on a monthly basis. All payments made to Employee as
salary, signing bonus, or otherwise shall be subject to such deductions,
withholdings and limitations as shall from time to time be required by law,
governmental regulations or orders.

            2.2 Stock Options.

                (a) As additional consideration under this Agreement, the
Company has granted to Employee a non-qualified option for the purchase of
1,000,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock pursuant to the terms and
conditions of the Company's Stock Option Plan. The exercise price for said
option is $26.50 per share representing the fair market value of the Company's
Common Stock as of the date of the grant of said option. The grant of said
option occurred on December 6, 2000. The options shall vest on an equal monthly
basis over the ten (10) years of the Agreement.

                (b) In the event of a "Change of Control" (as defined below) or
if Company exercises its Termination Rights under Section 6.5 below, the then
unvested portion of the stock option held by Employee shall have the vesting
accelerated by 100% of the remaining unvested shares under the option. For
purposes of this Agreement, "Change of Control" shall mean: (i) any "person" (as
such term as used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended) other than Steve Jobs becomes the "beneficial owner" (as
defined in Rule 13d-3 under said Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of
the Company representing 50% or more of the total voting power represented by
the Company's then outstanding voting securities; (ii) the consummation of a
merger or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation, other than a
merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the
Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by
remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the
surviving entity) at least 50% of the total voting power represented by the
voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding
immediately after such merger or consolidation; or (iii) the consummation of the
sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company's
assets.


[*]  Certain information on this page has been omitted and filed separately with
     the Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to
     the omitted portions.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>   3

            2.3 Theatrical Motion Picture Bonus.

                (a) Employee shall not be entitled to any bonus compensation on
Pictures except as specifically set forth below.

                (b) If Employee received a "directed by" credit on a Picture
released prior to March 14, 2001 ("Past Picture") and said Past Picture is
re-released, Employee shall be entitled to receive contingent bonuses (which
bonuses are cumulative at each box office benchmark) based upon the aggregate
domestic theatrical box office gross receipts of such Past Picture derived from
the initial theatrical release and the theatrical rerelease(s) as reported in
the Daily Variety (or if Daily Variety discontinues such service, the parties
shall mutually determine an appropriate replacement, but in the event of a
disagreement relating to such replacement, the decision of Company shall
govern), as follows, payable within 30 days after such milestone is reported in
Daily Variety: [*]

                Employee acknowledges that Employee has received all bonuses due
relating to the initial theatrical release (as opposed to future rerelease) of
the Past Pictures.

                (c) In the event (i) there is a Change of Control, (ii) Employee
is entitled to receive a "directed by" credit on a Picture delivered to Company
after such Change of Control, and (iii) Employee fully performs all directing
services requested by Company in accordance with this Agreement and material
obligations requested by Company in accordance with the terms of this Agreement
in connection with the applicable Picture under this subparagraph (c), Employee
shall be entitled to receive contingent bonuses (which bonuses are cumulative at
each box office benchmark) based upon the aggregate domestic theatrical box
office gross receipts of such Picture under this subparagraph (c) as reported in
the Daily Variety (or if Daily Variety discontinues such service, the parties
shall mutually determine an appropriate replacement, but in the event of a
disagreement relating to such replacement, the decision of Company shall
govern), as follows, payable within 30 days after such milestone is reported in
Daily Variety: [*]

                If Employee's services are terminated (including, but not
limited to, termination as a result of expiration of the Term of this Agreement)
as director in connection with a Picture under this subparagraph (c) by any
reason other than Employee's breach or default of a material term or condition
hereunder, the contingent compensation set forth in this Section 2.3(c) with
regard to such Picture shall vest each month that Employee performs services on
such Picture as to a percentage equal to the quotient obtained when one is
divided by the total number of months of scheduled pre-production, production
and post-production of such Picture, but in no event shall the total number of
scheduled pre-production, production and post-production months exceed
forty-eight (48) months. As an example only, if production, pre-production,
production and post-production for a Picture under this subparagraph (c) are
scheduled for a total of four years (i.e., forty-eight (48) months), then
vesting shall be 1/48th or 2.083% for each month of Employee's services on such
Picture. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Employee's services are terminated
for any reason other than Default under Section 6.8 below, then if Employee has
completed services for seventy-five percent (75%) or more of the total schedule
as computed above, then the contingent compensation set forth in this Section
2.3(c) above shall be deemed fully vested.


[*]  Certain information on this page has been omitted and filed separately with
     the Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to
     the omitted portions.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>   4

            2.4 Fringe Benefits. Employee shall be eligible to participate, in
accordance with their terms, in all medical and health plans, life insurance and
pension plans and such other employment benefits or programs (other than
executive bonus plans) as are maintained by Company for its employees provided
that Company shall at all times be free to modify or amend such plans on a
Company wide basis in accordance with the provisions thereof. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, in no event shall such fringe benefits (other than executive
bonus plans) be less favorable to Employee than those accorded to any other
employee of Company other than the CEO of Company.

            2.5 Paid Vacations.

                (a) Employee shall be entitled to paid vacation in accordance
with the vacation policy of Company (including, without limitation, any
restrictions on the amount of accrued time to be paid at the expiration of the
Term), but in no event less than four (4) weeks per annum. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, Employee shall not be entitled to accrue any vacation time in any
contract year in which Employee is [*]. Employee may use up to two (2) weeks of
previously accrued vacation time in a contract year in which Employee [*].

                (b) Employee shall be entitled to carry forward three (3) weeks
of accrued vacation time under the Prior Agreement and utilize the same during
the Term.

                (c) Within thirty (30) days after execution of this Agreement,
Company shall pay to Employee an amount equal to Employee's accrued vacation
time through the termination date of the Prior Agreement, without regard to any
restrictions or limitation on accrual of vacation time.

            2.6 [*].

                (a) Company shall allow Employee [*] on each Picture which
Employee directs under this Agreement. Company and Employee shall mutually
determine the [*], which shall be no later than [*] from the initial theatrical
release of the Picture directed by Employee, unless Employee otherwise agrees.
Employee agrees to [*] no less [*] than [*]. During each [*], (i) Employee shall
be entitled to [*] and (ii) all terms and conditions of this Agreement
(including, without limitation, exclusivity and vesting) shall remain in effect.
In the event Employee fails to [*], Company will have no further obligation to
Employee in connection therewith, including, without limitation, [*].

                (b) Within ten (10) business days of execution of this
Agreement, Company shall pay to Employee an amount equal to [*] on account of
Employee's unused [*].

            2.7 Expenses. Company recognizes that in connection with Employee's
performance of Employee's duties and obligations hereunder Employee will incur
certain ordinary and necessary expenses of a business character including,
without limitation, travel and expenses relating to the Pictures. Company shall
reimburse Employee for all such reasonable business expenses upon presentation
of itemized statements of such expenses and appropriate substantiation thereof,
in each case in accordance with Company's standard policies. With respect to
business travel, Employee shall be entitled to first class airplane
transportation for air travel in excess of one


[*]  Certain information on this page has been omitted and filed separately with
     the Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to
     the omitted portions.

                                      -4-
<PAGE>   5

and one-half hours duration and shall be treated no less favorably with respect
to expenses than (i) other executives of Company or (ii) any individual on the
same business trip as Employee. All such expenses shall be subject to the
pre-approval of Company.

      3.    WRITING SERVICES:

            3.1 Services. At Company's request, Employee shall render writing
services and supervisory services to create stories, treatments and screenplays
for the Pictures hereunder.

            3.2 Credits. In the event Employee creates the applicable story
and renders writing services in connection with any Picture or Past Picture,
Employee shall receive a "story by" credit, in first position, on screen in the
end titles, or the main titles if any other person receives credit in the main
titles of the Picture or Past Picture, (which credit may be shared with no more
than three (3) other writers). The Size (as hereinafter defined) of said credit
shall be not less than 50% of the Size of the regular title and no less than
that accorded to any other individual (other than principal cast members)
receiving credit in connection with the Picture or Past Picture. Additionally,
Employee shall receive credit in the billing block portion of paid advertising
issued and controlled by Company or the distributor (subject to the distributors
customary exclusions and restrictions for animated pictures) in a Size not less
than 35% of the regular title. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Employee shall
receive credit in excluded advertising whenever a writer, producer, director,
technical director or executive producer receive credit in said billing block
(other than award or congratulatory ads). "Size" shall mean height, width and
thickness. All other characteristics of Employee's credit shall be at Company's
sole discretion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties acknowledge that
Employee will receive a shared "Story By" credit on "Cars."

      4.    EXECUTIVE PRODUCING SERVICES:

            4.1 Services. Employee shall render executive producing services on
a non-exclusive first priority basis on all Productions produced by Company
during the Term, other than with respect to those Productions which Employee
directs. Employee agrees to render all such services as required by Company in
accordance with this Agreement and customarily rendered by executive producers
of first class productions in the entertainment industry and to comply with all
reasonable instructions, requests, rules and regulations of Company in
connection therewith, whether or not the same involve matters of artistic taste
and judgment during the development, production and post production of the
Productions.

            4.2 Credits. As to each Past Picture and Production for which at
least seventy five percent (75%) of the actual production schedule was completed
during the Term and subject to Employee's full performance of all material
executive producing services and material obligations in connection therewith,
and further subject to the distributor's standard exclusions and exceptions as
customarily negotiated for deals of this nature, Company shall accord Employee
the following credit, on screen: Executive Producer, on a card which may be
shared, which credit shall be in first position of all other executive producer
credits, and which credit may be in the main titles (or end titles of the film
if all other individual credits are in the end titles). Said credit shall be no
less than 50% of the regular title and in Size of type not less than the Size of
type accorded to any other individual (other than the principal cast members) of
the Past Picture or Production. In addition,

                                      -5-
<PAGE>   6

Employee shall be entitled to receive credit in the billing block portion of
paid advertising issued or controlled by Company or the distributor (subject to
distributor's standard exceptions and exclusions as customarily negotiated for
deals of this nature) in a Size of type not less than 35% of the Size of type of
the regular title of the Past Picture or Production. Employee shall also receive
credit in excluded advertising in which a writer, producer, director, technical
director or executive producer receive credit in said billing block (other than
award or congratulatory ads). All other characteristics of the foregoing credit
shall be subject to Company's sole discretion. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
Employee shall not be entitled to an executive producer credit on those Past
Pictures or Productions on which Employee receives a "directed by" credit.

      5.    DIRECTING SERVICES:

            5.1 Services.

                (a) Employee shall render services in the capacity of the
director for three (3) Pictures during the Term, it being understood that
Employee's services for the third Picture are subject to subparagraph (b) below.
The parties acknowledge that the first Picture is a car themed project currently
entitled "Cars." The parties further acknowledge that if Company elects to
produce and finance (in whole or part) an additional sequel or prequel to "Toy
Story" and/or "Toy Story 2," Employee will have the first opportunity to direct
such prequel or sequel as Employee's next Picture after "Cars." Employee agrees
to render all such services as required by Company and customarily rendered by
directors of first-class feature length animated motion pictures in the motion
picture industry and to comply with all reasonable directions, requests, rules
and regulations of Company in connection therewith, whether or not the same
involve matters of artistic taste and judgment. If Company and Employee desire
to engage a co-director in connection with any Picture directed by Employee,
said co-director shall be subject to the approval of Employee, which approval
shall be exercised in Employee's sole discretion. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
if Company elects to proceed to production of a Picture during the Term and it
is reasonably anticipated by Company that the Term shall expire prior to
completion of Employee's directing services in connection therewith and Employee
and Company have not concluded an agreement for Employee's post term directing
services under subparagraph (b) below, then Company will have the right to
engage the services of a co-director in consultation with Employee. In any
event, such co-director will be subject to Employee's creative direction during
Employee's services as the director.

                (b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein,
if Company elects to proceed to production of a Picture during the Term and it
is reasonably anticipated by Company that the Term shall expire prior to the
completion of Employee's directing services in connection therewith either
Company or Employee may initiate good faith negotiations for post Term directing
services in connection with the applicable Picture (with the compensation set
forth herein and theatrical motion picture bonuses, if applicable, under Section
2.3(c) as a floor for such directing services). If the parties are unable to
reach an agreement after a period of thirty (30) days from commencement of said
negotiations ("Negotiation Period"), Employee shall have the right by written
notice to Company within five (5) business days after expiration of the
Negotiation Period to extend the Term for up to six (6) months at the then
current salary level. If Employee fails to submit such notice, the Term of this
Agreement shall be extended on a week-to-week basis until either party
terminates upon seven (7) days written notice.

                                      -6-
<PAGE>   7

            5.2 Credits. As to each Past Picture or Picture produced for which
Employee renders directing services, and subject to Employee's full performance
of all material directing services requested by Company in accordance with this
Agreement and material obligations in connection therewith, and further subject
to the distributor's standard exclusions and exceptions as customarily
negotiated for deals of this nature Company shall accord Employee the following
sole credit, on screen, on a separate card, in the end titles or in the main
titles if any other individual receives credit in the main titles: "Directed by
John Lasseter," which shall be the last card in the main titles or the first
card of individual credits in the end titles, subject to industry wide
collective bargaining agreements. Said credit shall be no less than 50% of the
regular title and in a Size of type not less than the Size of type accorded to
any other individual (other than the cast members) of the Picture or Past
Picture. In addition, Employee shall be entitled to receive credit in the
billing block portion of paid advertising (including packaging of video devices)
issued or controlled by Company or the distributors (subject to the
distributor's standard exceptions and exclusions and subject to the
distributor's customary restrictions as customarily negotiated for deals of this
nature) in a Size of type not less than 35% of the Size of type of the regular
title of the Picture or Past Picture and 20% of the artwork title of the Picture
or Past Picture. Employee shall also receive credit outside of the billing block
or in excluded advertising in which any individual (other than principal cast
members) receives credit in said excluded ads or outside the billing block
(other than award or congratulatory ads). All other characteristics of the
foregoing credit shall be subject to Company's sole discretion.

            5.3 Delivery. With respect to each of the Pictures which Employee
directs, Employee, to the extent within Employee's control, shall comply with
the delivery and picture specification requirements of the distributor of the
Picture, of which Employee is informed in writing.

            5.4 Sequels/Remakes. If within twelve (12) years after the initial
release (if any) of the applicable Past Picture or Picture directed by Employee,
Company (or its successor and assigns) elects in its sole discretion to produce
a theatrical sequel, theatrical remake, television motion picture, mini-series
or series, or "made for video production" based on any of the Past Pictures or
Pictures directed by Employee ("Subsequent Productions") then provided that the
applicable Picture or Past Picture was completed at a final negative cost not
exceeding 110% of the approved budget excluding the contingency (excluding
excess cost incurred due to Force Majeure events and other causes beyond
Employee's control, changes pre-approved by Company, net insurance recoveries
and retroactive increases to scale personnel under any collective bargaining
agreement which are not reasonably anticipated), that Employee is not in Default
hereunder and provided further that Employee is available when reasonably
required by Company, then Employee shall have the first opportunity to be the
director for the Subsequent Production which, if after the Term shall be upon
terms to be negotiated in good faith within Company's standard parameters. If
Company and Employee fail to agree on the terms for Employee's engagement on the
Subsequent Productions within thirty (30) days following commencement of the
negotiations, or if Employee is unavailable or elects not to direct, then
Company shall have no further obligation to Employee under this paragraph 5.4.

            5.5 Videocassette. If any Picture is produced and Employee performs
his services hereunder, Employee shall be entitled to receive one (1)
videocassette copy and one (1) DVD (or

                                      -7-
<PAGE>   8

comparable retail consumer technology) copy of the Picture if and when
commercially available for release to the public.

            5.6 Premieres. Employee and his spouse shall be invited to all major
celebrity premieres of the Picture (if any) in the United States which he
directs and shall be entitled to payment of first class transportation and
expenses. Employee shall have the right to utilize each Production for one
non-exclusive charity premiere of Employee's choice.

            5.7 No Union. The parties acknowledge that Company is not a
signatory to the DGA Basic Agreement and that the DGA Basic Agreement does not
currently apply to the Pictures.

            5.8 E&O Insurance. Company shall include Employee as an additional
insured on Company's errors and omissions insurance policy consistent with
custom and practice in the industry.

      6.    GENERAL TERMS:

            6.1 Right to Insure. Company shall have the right to secure in its
own name, or otherwise, and at its own expense, life, health, accident or other
insurance covering Employee and Employee shall have no right, title or interest
in and to such insurance. Employee shall assist Company in procuring such
insurance by submitting to examinations and by signing such applications and
other instruments as may be required by the insurance carriers to which
application is made for any such insurance.

            6.2 Noncompetitive Employment.

                (a) Employee acknowledges that the nature of the services
furnished by Company to its clients requires that Employee at all times perform
Employee's services under this Agreement without divided loyalties or
obligations to any other person including, without limitation, to any person who
may become an employer of Employee following the end of the Term. Accordingly,
and without limiting the generality of the principle set forth in the preceding
sentence, it shall be a breach of this Agreement for Employee, without prior
written notice to and prior written consent of Company, to accept employment
with any business, individual, partnership, corporation, trust, joint venture,
unincorporated association or other entity or person other than the Company at
any time during the Term of this Agreement. During the Term, Employee may not
discuss, seek, solicit or accept future post Term employment.

                (b) During the Term of this Agreement Employee shall not become
financially interested in (other than as a stockholder owning less than one
percent (1%) of the outstanding capital stock of any publicly traded
corporation) or directly associated with any other business or person engaged in
a business that is involved in (i) developing, producing, distributing or
exploiting motion pictures, home videos, television programs, interactive
products or other audio visual works; (ii) the development, sale, licensing or
use of computer software for the creation or production of motion pictures, home
videos, television programs, interactive products or other audio visual works or
(iii) any other business that is competitive with the Company's business or
activities without the prior written consent of Company.

                                      -8-
<PAGE>   9

                (c) After the expiration or termination of the Term for any
reason whatsoever, Employee shall not either alone or jointly with or on behalf
of others, either directly or indirectly, whether as principal, partner, agent,
shareholder, director, employee, consultant or otherwise, at any time during the
period of two (2) years following the expiration or termination of the Term,
offer employment to, or solicit the employment or engagement of, or otherwise
entice away from the employment of Company or Disney or any affiliated entity,
either for Employee's own account or for any other person, firm or company, any
person who is then employed by Company or Disney or any such affiliated entity,
whether or not such person would commit any breach of said person's contract by
reason of leaving the service of Company, Disney or any affiliated entity.

            6.3 Nondisclosure Agreement. Employee acknowledges and confirms
his continuing obligations under the Non-Disclosure Agreement previously
executed by Company and Employee regarding confidentiality and inventions (the
"Confidentiality Agreement"). Employee further acknowledges that said
Confidentiality Agreement applies to the terms and conditions of the
co-production agreement between Company and Disney to the extent Employee has
knowledge of the terms and conditions thereof. To the extent of any
inconsistency between this Agreement and the Confidentiality Agreement, this
Agreement shall govern.

            6.4 Ownership. The results and proceeds of Employee's services
hereunder including, but not limited to, creating, designing, sketching,
animation, writing and/or directing in connection with ideas, stories,
screenplays and the Pictures, Productions or any other Pixar production's or
works shall be deemed a work-made-for-hire specially ordered or commissioned by
Company ("Results and Proceeds"). As between Employee and Company, Company shall
exclusively own all now known or hereafter existing rights of every kind
throughout the universe, in perpetuity and in all languages, pertaining to such
Results and Proceeds, and all elements therein, for all now known or hereafter
existing uses, media, and forms (including, without limitation, all copyrights
and renewals and extension thereof), motion picture, television, sequel, remake,
character and allied rights therein, and the foregoing is inclusive of a full
assignment to Company thereof. In addition, Company shall have the right,
throughout the world and in perpetuity, to use and reproduce, and license others
to use and reproduce, Employee's name, likeness and biographical data relating
to Employee in connection with the Picture and the advertising or exploitation
thereof (including without limitation, in promotional films and featurettes
relating to any Pictures or projects); provided that in no event shall Employee
be depicted as using or endorsing any product, commodity or service. The use of
Employee's credit in a billing block shall not be deemed a use or endorsement of
a product, commodity or service. Company shall have the right, but not the
obligation, to use, adapt, change or revise any work or product of Employee or
any part thereof or the title thereof and to combine the same with other
material or works and Employee hereby expressly waives any so-called "moral
rights" of authors in the world.

            6.5 Termination Without Cause. Company shall have the unilateral
right, at any time in the Company's sole and absolute discretion, to terminate
Employee's employment by the Company, without cause, and for any reason or for
no reason (the Company's "Termination Rights") upon written notice to Employee.
The Company's Termination Rights are not limited or restricted by, and shall
supersede, any policy of the Company requiring or favoring continued employment
of its employees during satisfactory performance, any seniority system or any
procedure governing the

                                      -9-
<PAGE>   10

manner in which the Company's discretion is to be exercised. No exercise by the
Company of its Termination Rights shall, under any circumstances, be deemed to
constitute (i) a breach by the Company of any term of this Agreement, express or
implied (including without limitation a breach of any implied covenant of good
faith and fair dealing), (ii) a wrongful discharge of Employee or a wrongful
termination of Employee's employment by the Company, (iii) a wrongful
deprivation by the Company of Employee's office (or authority, opportunities or
other benefits relating thereto), or injury to reputation, or (iv) the breach by
the Company of any other duty or obligation, express or implied, which the
Company may owe to Employee pursuant to any principle or provision of law
(whether contract or tort), unless the Company's determination to terminate
Employee pursuant to this Section 6.5 shall constitute a violation of any
applicable federal, state or municipal statute, ordinance, rule or regulation,
respecting which the parties may not contract otherwise. If the Company elects
to terminate Employee's employment pursuant to this Section 6.5, the Company
shall have no obligation or liability to Employee pursuant to this Agreement or
otherwise, except (a) to pay to Employee within ten (10) business days of the
exercise of the Termination Right an amount equal to seventy-five percent (75%)
of the balance of the Salary due to Employee under Section 2.1(b) through the
remainder of the Term and (b) as stated in Section 2.2 above with respect to the
vesting of Employee's stock options. Upon exercise of such Termination Right,
Employee shall have no further obligation to provide services to Company
hereunder and Employee shall be free to accept third party employment.

            6.6 Equitable Relief for Breach. Employee acknowledges that the
services to be rendered by Employee under the terms of this Agreement, and the
rights and privileges granted to Company by Employee under its terms, are of a
special, unique, unusual, extraordinary and intellectual character, which gives
them a peculiar value, the loss of which cannot be reasonably or adequately
compensated in damages in any action at law, and that a material breach by
Employee of any of the provisions contained in this Agreement will cause Company
great and irreparable injury and damage. Employee acknowledges that Company
shall be entitled, in addition to any other remedies it may have at law, to seek
the remedies of injunction, specific performance, and other equitable relief for
any breach of this Agreement by Employee. This provision shall not, however, be
construed as a waiver of any of the rights which Company may have for damages,
or otherwise.

            6.7 Breach By Company. In the event of any breach of this Agreement
by Company, Employee shall give Company written notice thereof. If Company does
not cure such breach within thirty (30) days of receiving written notice
thereof, Employee's remedy shall be limited to an action at law for damages
and/or declaratory relief and Employee shall not be entitled to rescind this
Agreement or to injunctive relief or other equitable remedies; provided,
however, the foregoing shall not be deemed a waiver of Employee's statutory or
common law right to discontinue rendering services hereunder in the event of a
material breach by Company of this Agreement. No inadvertent failure to comply
with the provisions of paragraphs 3.2, 4.2 or 5.2 nor any failure by third
parties to comply with their agreement with Company shall constitute a breach of
this Agreement by Company. Upon written notice from Employee specifying the
precise nature of the failure to accord credit as herein provided, Company
agrees to use reasonable efforts to cure prospectively any such breach, but
Company shall not be obligated to recall any prints or advertising material.
Company shall use good faith business efforts to advise third party licensees of
the credit obligations to Employee under this Agreement. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, if applicable, Company will contractually require Disney to comply
with the credit obligations hereunder.

                                      -10-
<PAGE>   11

            6.8 Suspension/Termination.

                (a) In the event of Employee's death during the Term, Company
shall terminate Employee's services and pay pursuant to paragraph 6.8(f) below.

                (b) If Employee is prevented from fully performing Employee's
material obligations hereunder by reason of illness, accident or mental or
physical disability, or by reason of any law or authority (all of which events
are herein called "Incapacity"), Company may suspend the services and
compensation of Employee during the period of such Incapacity and/or extend the
Term of Employee's services hereunder for a period of time equal to the period
of such suspension. In the event such Incapacity continues for a period of
fourteen (14) consecutive days or twenty-one (21) days in the aggregate while
Employee is rendering directing services during production of any Picture
hereunder or six (6) consecutive weeks or ten (10) weeks in the aggregate, at
any other time hereunder, Company may terminate the employment of Employee's
services by giving thirty (30) days prior written notice to Employee.

                (c) The Company may terminate this Agreement immediately upon
written notice to Employee for an event of "Default." For purposes of this
Agreement, a termination for "Default" occurs if Employee is terminated for any
of the following reasons:

                    (i) Gross negligence by Employee of his duties pursuant to
this Agreement.

                    (ii) Conviction of Employee of any felony or any lesser
crime or offense involving the property of Company.

                    (iii) Any material breach by Employee of any of the terms or
covenants of this Agreement, it being understood that Employee shall have a
period of five (5) days from written notice from Company to cure an alleged
breach.

                (d) The unearned salary provided for hereunder to Employee may,
at Company's option, be suspended during any interruption of Company's business
which prevents the performance of Employee's duties which has been caused by an
event of force majeure, including, but not limited to, strikes, work stoppage or
other labor dispute, acts of God, or other events of force majeure ("Force
Majeure"). If any such period of suspension hereunder shall continue for a
period of six (6) weeks or more, Company or Employee shall have the right to
elect to terminate this Agreement by written notice. In the event Employee
elects to submit a notice of termination, said election shall be deemed null and
void if Company elects to resume its payment obligations to Employee with one
(1) week of Company's receipt of said notice. If this Agreement is terminated
due to an event of Force Majeure and Company elects to thereafter resume
production of the applicable Picture within eighteen (18) months, Employee shall
have the first opportunity upon fifteen (15) business days prior notice to the
start date to be reinstated as the director under the terms and conditions of
this Agreement. During any suspension for an event of Force Majeure, Employee's
services to Company shall be on a non-exclusive basis.

                                      -11-
<PAGE>   12

                (e) In the event of any such suspension or suspensions
hereunder, the Term of this Agreement shall be extended (unless earlier
terminated as provided above) for an additional period of time equal to the
period of such suspension or suspensions, and the dates for any increase in
salary provided for herein shall be correspondingly postponed.

                (f) In the event of Employee's termination for death,
Incapacity, Default or Force Majeure pursuant to subsections (a), (b), (c) or
(d) above, Company shall be obligated to pay Employee only the specified salary,
bonuses, fringe benefits, expenses and vacation accrued through the date of
termination and any rights Employee may have under the Stock Option Plan shall
be determined under the terms thereof.

            6.9 Assignment. Company may not assign its rights under this
contract except to a "Successor" (as defined below) or to a single purpose
production entity which is formed by Company for purposes of producing the
Pictures (in which event Company may only assign Employee's directing, writing
and/or executive producing services and Company shall remain liable for all
obligations of said single purpose entity), without Employee's consent. This
Agreement is personal to Employee and Employee shall not have the right to
assign Employee's interest in this Agreement, any rights under this Agreement or
any duties imposed under this Agreement nor shall Employee have the right to
pledge, hypothecate, transfer, assign or otherwise encumber Employee's right to
receive any form of compensation hereunder without the prior written notice to
Company. As used herein, "Successor" shall include any person, firm, corporation
or other business entity which at any time, whether by purchase, merger or
otherwise, directly or indirectly acquires all or substantially all of the
assets or business of the Company.

            6.10 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon
and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective Successors
and assigns.

            6.11 Notices. Any notice, consent or other communication under this
Agreement shall be in writing and shall be considered given when mailed by
registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, to the parties at the addresses
set forth below (or at such other address as a party may specify by notice in
accordance with the provisions hereof to the other).

                      Company:

                      PIXAR
                      1200 Park Avenue
                      Emeryville, California 94608

                      With a copy to:

                      Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
                      650 Page Mill Road
                      Palo Alto, California 94304
                      Attention: Larry W. Sonsini, Esq.

                                      -12-
<PAGE>   13

                      Ziffren, Brittenham, Branca & Fischer, LLP
                      1801 Century Park West
                      Los Angeles, CA 90067
                      Attention: Sam Fischer, Esq.

                      Employee:

                      John Lasseter

                      c/o Weston, Benshoof, Rochefort, Rubalcava & MacCuish
                      444 S. Flower Street
                      43rd Floor
                      Los Angeles, CA 90071
                      Attention: Nancy Newhouse Porter

            6.12 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of California
(regardless of that jurisdiction or any other jurisdictions' choice of law
principles).

            6.13 Complete Agreement, Modification and Termination. This
agreement, along with the Stock Option Plan, and the Confidentiality Agreement,
contains a complete statement of all the arrangements between the parties with
respect to Employee's employment by Company, supersedes all existing agreements,
whether written or oral, between them concerning Employee's employment, and may
be changed only in a writing executed by all parties hereto. In entering into
this Agreement, neither party has relied upon any representation, warranty,
assurance or statement of intention not expressly set forth herein.

            6.14 Validity. If any one or more of the provisions (or any part
thereof) of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable
in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining
provisions (or any part thereof) shall not in any way be affected or impaired
thereby.

            6.15 Waiver. The failure of a party to insist upon strict adherence
to any term, condition or other provision of this Agreement shall not be
considered a waiver or deprive that party of the right thereafter to insist upon
strict adherence to that term or any other term, condition or other provision of
this Agreement.

            6.16 Commitment to Others. Employee shall not have any right or
authority to and shall not employ any person in any capacity nor contract or
purchase or rent any article or material, nor make any commitment, agreement or
obligation whereby Company shall be required to pay any monies or other
consideration without Company's prior consent in each instance.

            6.17 I-9. All of Company's obligations under this Agreement are
expressly conditioned upon Employee's completion to Company's reasonable
satisfaction of an I-9 Form (Employee Eligibility Verification Form) and upon
Employee's submission to Company of original documents reasonably satisfactory
to Company to demonstrate Employee's employment eligibility.

                                      -13-
<PAGE>   14

            6.18 Headings. The headings of this Agreement are solely for
convenience of reference and shall not affect its interpretation.

            6.19 Arbitration. Any controversy or claim arising out of, or
relating to, this Agreement, or the making, performance or interpretation
thereof, shall be fully and finally settled by binding arbitration in San
Francisco, California, in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration
Association the existing, and judgment on the arbitration award may be entered
in any court having jurisdiction over the subject matter of the controversy;
provided, however, that this arbitration provision shall not apply to any
dispute concerning any obligations arising under paragraphs 6.2, 6.3 and 6.4 of
this Agreement.

            6.20 Indemnity. Company shall indemnify and hold harmless Employee
from and against any and all liability, costs, damages and expenses (including
reasonable attorneys' fees and court costs) which Employee may sustain or suffer
by reason of any third party claim resulting from the development, production or
distribution of the Picture and which is not caused by a breach by Employee
hereunder.

            6.21 Severability. If an arbitrator or a court of competent
jurisdiction determines that any term or provision hereof is invalid or
unenforceable, (a) the remaining terms and provisions hereof shall be unimpaired
and (b) such arbitrator or court shall have the authority to replace such
invalid or unenforceable term or provision with a term or provision that is
valid and enforceable and that comes closest to expressing the intention of the
invalid or unenforceable term or provision.

            6.22 EMPLOYEE ACKNOWLEDGES THAT HE HAS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO
CONSULT WITH THE ADVISOR OF HIS CHOICE AND THAT HE HAS FREELY AND VOLUNTARILY
ENTERED INTO THIS AGREEMENT.

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of March
21, 2001.

                                        PIXAR

                                        By /s/ STEVE JOBS
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           STEVE JOBS, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER


                                        EMPLOYEE

                                        /s/ JOHN LASSETER
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        JOHN LASSETER

                                      -14-