Eisner’s a financial and creative genius.

Pixar Animation Studios Inc. said on Thursday it ended talks with Walt Disney Co. to renew a lucrative movie distribution deal that has resulted in such blockbusters as “Toy Story” and “Finding Nemo.”

Pixar, the computer animation pioneer founded by Apple Computer Inc.’s Steve Jobs, said it would look for another studio partner to distribute its films starting in 2006, when its current deal with Disney expires.

The move was an unexpected blow to Disney, which reaped a financial bonanza and critical acclaim from the partnership and has struggled with its own strategy for animation.

Disney shares dropped 4 percent in after-hours trade.

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