The gates to Pixar’s campus in Emeryville, California.
(Frankie Taggart/AFP via Getty Images)
The long-awaited layoffs at Pixar Animation Studios have begun.
Today, the appearance of Steve Jobs and leadership cuts at the storied company that Disney bought in 2006 will announce to employees, The Hollywood Reporter has learned It was the biggest restructuring in Pixar’s history, although top leadership was not affected.
Approximately 14 percent of Pixar’s workforce, or about 175 employees, will be let go. Before the cuts, the animation studio employed about 1,300 people.
The layoffs are part of a key directive from Disney chairman Bob Iger to focus on quality and push out content for streaming, as opposed to his successor, Bob Chabeck. Disney executives have talked about the focus on quality during several earnings calls this year, saying creative teams across the company have been stretched too thin in an arms race to feed streamers.
Pixar employees knew layoffs were coming as early as January. If it’s to be some consolation, it’s lower than the 20 percent reported in January by some news outlets. Pixar is not left alone.
There were layoffs across Disney last year, but sources say the cuts at Pixar were delayed due to production schedules. Pixar — led by Pete Docter — won’t focus directly on streaming series, but on its movies. It excludes Win or loseIt is slated to debut later this year.
The once invincible animation studio suffered a major setback during the pandemic that the Sabek regime decided to send. Luca, cocoa And turns red Straight to Disney+ whether theaters are starting to reopen or are in full recovery mode. Then the first post-Covid theatrical release, light year Mostly rejected by critics and audiences, Pixar continued to be scrutinized.
Last year’s Pixar received good reviews BasicIt grossed nearly $500 million worldwide, making it the biggest original animated film since Pixar. cocoa In 2017. It was also a streaming sensation.
And theater owners are in high spirits Inside Out 2, which opens in North America on June 14 (the trailer is the most-watched animated trailer in the company’s history). Other upcoming films include Next Year Elio And Toy Story 5 In 2026.
Below is the full memo from Pixar president Jim Morris to employees on Tuesday:
Hello everyone.
I’ve spoken to you several times over the past year about our pending move from series production to Disney+, our return to focus on movies, and the reduction of our accompanying team. That day has come, and while it will come as no surprise to anyone, it will be one of the hardest transitions we will ever have to make, as we will be parting ways with many talented and dedicated colleagues and friends.
Today, leaders will begin the process of notifying employees whose positions will be affected. The calendar calls for speaking with a leader, those people have already gone through, and we expect to connect with all those affected by the end of the day.
I want to assure you that it will provide extensive support as our colleagues begin to leave the studio. We are committed to ensuring that their departure is handled with the utmost respect and care at every stage. It’s important to me, and I understand how important it is to all of us in the Pixar community. To talk more about today’s announcement, I’ll be hosting a brief studio meeting via Zoom today at 5:00 p.m.
Despite the challenges in our industry over the past few years, you all have consistently emerged to contribute, collaborate, innovate, lead, and excel at this studio. I offer my deepest gratitude to you, and to those who have left us, I hope our paths cross again, both professionally and personally.
Gym
