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Pixar Animation Studios announced this week that it is laying off approximately 175 employees, constituting about 14% of its workforce.
This decision, confirmed by a spokesperson from Walt Disney, aligns with CEO Bob Iger's broader mandate to ‘prioritize quality over quantity’ in content production.
The layoffs, effective Tuesday, come after a delay tied to Pixar’s production schedules, a unique situation compared to other Disney divisions that faced cuts last year.
Initially, reports suggested that up to 20% of Pixar's staff might be affected by these layoffs.
Bob Iger, who reassumed the role of Disney’s CEO in late 2022, has been steering the company through challenging times marked by box office declines.
These struggles are partly attributed to content choices and disruptions caused by the pandemic. While Disney has seen fluctuating success across its franchises, including the Marvel Cinematic Universe, its animated features have struggled to achieve the same level of resonance with audiences.
During the pandemic, the closure of theatres led Disney to bolster its streaming service, Disney+, with an influx of content.
This strategic shift stretched Pixar's creative teams and transitioned theatrical releases directly to digital platforms.
In response to these challenges, Iger is guiding Pixar back to its roots with a renewed emphasis on theatrical releases and a step back from short-form series tailored for Disney+. Sadly, this means scaling back the company’s workforce.
This shift is part of Iger’s larger strategy to enhance the quality of Disney’s content, ensuring that each release resonates deeply with audiences.
The layoffs at Pixar highlight the significant changes underway as Disney strives to reclaim its former box office glory.
