On June 3, it was reported that Pixar Animation Studios, a subsidiary of Walt Disney (DIS.N), has undergone a significant workforce reduction, eliminating a total of 75 positions. Among those affected are two executives who were involved in the production of the box office disappointment, “Lightyear.” This marks the first notable round of job cuts at Pixar in the past decade.
One of the individuals impacted by the layoffs is Angus MacLane, who served as the director of “Lightyear.” With a remarkable career spanning 26 years as an animator, MacLane had been a valuable member of the senior creative team behind acclaimed films such as “Toy Story 4” and “Coco.” Another departure from the studio is Galyn Susman, who worked as the producer of “Lightyear.” Susman had been with Pixar since the release of the original “Toy Story” movie back in 1995.
Unfortunately, both MacLane and Susman were unavailable for comment regarding the job cuts. Additionally, Michael Agulnek, who held the position of Pixar’s vice president of worldwide publicity since 2015, also faced a layoff. Despite attempts to contact Agulnek for a statement, he did not respond.
The job cuts, which were carried out on May 23, are part of a broader plan announced by Walt Disney’s Chief Executive, Bob Iger. Under this plan, a total of 7,000 jobs are slated for elimination, and cost reduction measures aim to slash $5.5 billion. As a result of the restructuring, the film and television groups have been merged into a single entity known as Disney Entertainment, and a distribution division has been dissolved.
While the number of job cuts at Pixar may seem relatively small compared to its overall employee base of approximately 1,200, the significance lies in the fact that the studio is a creative powerhouse responsible for generating lucrative franchises and iconic characters that drive revenue for Disney.
Pixar is renowned for its cinematic achievements, including highly successful franchises like “Toy Story,” “The Incredibles,” and “Cars.” However, “Lightyear,” released a year ago with a reported budget of $200 million, fell short of expectations, only amassing $226.7 million in worldwide ticket sales. Furthermore, the film received a mixed critical reception, failing to replicate the overwhelming success of Pixar’s 2018 release, “Incredibles 2,” which had a similar production budget and garnered an impressive $1.2 billion at the global box office.
It’s worth noting that “Lightyear” encountered challenges in certain regions, as it was not able to be shown in 14 Middle Eastern and Asian countries due to its depiction of a same-sex relationship. This factor undoubtedly impacted the film’s box office performance.
The recent job cuts at Disney extend beyond Pixar and affect various divisions within the company, spanning film, television, streaming services, and theme parks. In an effort to adapt to changing market dynamics and optimize operations, Disney has implemented layoffs throughout its organization.
The last time Pixar underwent a significant workforce reduction was back in 2013 when the release of the film “The Good Dinosaur” was postponed, leading to the removal of its director, Bob Peterson, and the elimination of approximately 30 positions.
Disney’s acquisition of Pixar in 2006 was driven by the objective of revitalizing its struggling Disney Animation division. Since then, Pixar has played a pivotal role in the company’s success, and its creative output continues to be a significant source of revenue and cultural influence.
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