Pixar Animation Studios has recently announced a significant reduction in its workforce, amounting to approximately 14% of its team. This translates to around 175 out of the studio’s 1,300 employees being laid off. Unfortunately, there are no plans to rehire these affected workers as confirmed by Jim Morris, Pixar’s president, in a note to the employees. Although layoffs were anticipated earlier this year, the actual number is somewhat lower than initial predictions, which estimated a 20% reduction involving around 260 employees.
This layoff marks the largest in Pixar’s history, but it is important to note that the studio’s upper management remains unaffected by these cuts. Founded in 1979 as part of Lucasfilm and later becoming an independent entity in 1986 with Steve Jobs as a major stakeholder, Pixar was acquired by Disney in 2006. Since then, Pixar has significantly contributed to creating content for Disney+, even under Bob Chapek’s brief leadership as Disney’s CEO at the end of 2022.
Despite Pixar’s efforts to return to big-screen glory, some projects like “Lightyear” and “Onward” faced box office challenges. The latter was particularly impacted by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, under the renewed leadership of Bob Iger, who resumed his role as Disney CEO in November 2022, there has been a shifted focus on quality theatrical releases over streaming content. This strategy paid off with the recent success of “Elemental,” which brought in approximately $500 million in box office revenue and gained traction on Disney+.
Looking forward, Pixar has some exciting releases on the horizon. Fans can anticipate “Inside Out 2” on June 14, “Elio” slated for 2025, and “Toy Story 5” expected in 2026. These upcoming projects are generating considerable buzz and hope to see more success.
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