Breaking News: Disney Layoffs Impact Pixar Employees including Lightyear As part of an overall cost cutting initiative, The Walt Disney Company has initiated the process for company-wide layoffs, with 7,000 jobs across various divisions expected to be affected by this decision. Directors and producers behind recently released movie Lightyear have also been affected. According to reports by Reuters, both Angus MacLane and Galyn Susman were let go from their jobs. Angus MacLane Pixar Animation Studios sent shockwaves through the industry with their unexpected move to eliminate 75 jobs at their facility, including two executives involved with Lightyear production - director Angus MacLane and producer Galyn Susman, two longtime employees who oversaw its creation, were among them; both had worked on other acclaimed Pixar projects such as Toy Story 4 and Coco as well. Michael Agulnek was also let go. This marks Pixar's first significant round of layoffs since 2008! Reuters reports that Pixar had begun cutting employees as part of an aggressive restructuring effort to cut expenses and streamline operations. To that end, it has consolidated film and television divisions into one unit while discontinuing distribution services; according to company estimates it reduced costs by approximately $5.5 billion overall during this process; its 1,200 employees are not affected significantly, but layoffs still feel significant due to Pixar being one of their major income-generating units. Lightyear was an enormous disappointment for Pixar as it was a prequel to Toy Story franchise which held high expectations. Producing it cost $200 million while only earning $226.7 million worldwide; furthermore, critics panned its lack of depth and character development. MacLane, who has spent 26 years at the studio, has been part of its senior creative team on several of its most beloved films. An accomplished animator, he has worked across genres and styles. For example, in Lightyear he explored the origins of space ranger Buzz Lightyear while challenging sci-fi conventions. Losing these two top employees must have been difficult for all the remaining staff at Pixar, who are already feeling the strain of budget cuts and an impending writer's strike. Let us hope that all remaining employees remain focused and continue producing great work for the company in the future. Galyn Susman Last week, The Walt Disney Company sent shockwaves through the industry by abruptly firing 75 employees of animation studio Pixar. These layoffs included two executives overseeing Toy Story spin-off Lightyear which barely broke even on its $200 million budget and received less-than-stellar reviews - according to reports, Lightyear director Angus MacLane and producer Galyn Susman were both dismissed from their positions as reported by Reuters. MacLane, with 26 years of animation experience and involvement on creative teams for Toy Story 4, Coco, and Finding Dory as well as lighting supervisor duties on Toy Story 2, while Susman made headlines when an animator accidentally deleted most of the team's work for its sequel in the early '90s. Disney CEO Bob Iger confirmed in an internal memo to employees that layoffs will begin this week. Leadership will meet directly with those affected within days; an additional round of cuts are anticipated in April with several thousand more people expected to be affected. However, Iger did not discuss plans to reduce hourly frontline workers at Disney theme parks or cruise lines due to layoff rules not applying as strictly. Layoffs are part of Iger's plan to reduce costs by $5.5 billion over three years, cutting approximately 7,000 jobs across Disney in total and providing more details in due time. Michael Agulnek Pixar Animation Studios of Emeryville conducted an unusual layoff, firing 75 employees including two who worked on its recent box office flop Lightyear. Lightyear failed to generate enough funds from box office receipts to cover its $200 million budget - one of the costliest failures ever in cinema history - prompting a major restructuring within Pixar. Michael Agulnek was laid off due to the layoffs as were Lightyear director Angus MacLane and producer Galyn Susman, both considered key contributors to Pixar films' success. MacLane is an Academy Award winning four-time Visual Effects winner (co-directed Toy Story 4 and Coco); Susman earned praise for saving Toy Story 2 during a data loss crisis. Disney CEO Bob Iger announced plans to cut 7,000 jobs and reduce company expenses by an estimated $5.5 billion as part of a major restructuring effort. Disney combined its film and television divisions into one entity called Disney Entertainment while eliminating distribution division. Pixar layoffs accounted for only a portion of overall cuts. No exact information has yet been given as to what will replace the positions cut at this prestigious studio, though likely savings from job cuts will go toward producing new movies such as Toy Story 3 due out in theaters in 2023. Pixar has long been recognized as an industry-leading creative force and is responsible for many beloved franchises such as Toy Story, Finding Dory, Incredibles 2 and Coco. Once considered one of the world's premier animation studios, however, Pixar has struggled to live up to this reputation after disappointing box office numbers for Lightyear and other movies that disappointed critics and audiences alike. Perhaps Pixar needs to focus more on originality rather than recycling old characters and plotlines? Disney Layoffs Disney has recently been cutting employees across its departments in order to remain profitable as the streaming industry grows. Disney's job cuts will likely affect all divisions, from film and television production, theme parks, and streaming services to streaming media services like ESPN. Some divisions that may experience layoffs include Marvel Studios, ESPN and Disney+. The Disney Layoffs are expected to affect many different kinds of people, from early career animators and senior executives alike. Two such executives rumored to have been included are Angus MacLane who directed and Galyn Susman who produced Lightyear respectively. Both were longtime employees at Pixar, having contributed to Toy Story movies among other projects. While it remains unknown why these two were let go, speculation suggests it may be tied to Pixar's decision to move towards longer production cycles for its movies - previously they would complete in 12-14 months while now production will span 18 months. As Fox and Disney prepare to merge by year's end, Disney could be taking steps to reduce costs in preparation for Disney+ which should launch sometime around 2023. Disney CEO, Bob Iger, wrote to staff in a memo and assured them he takes these job cuts very personally and understands it's difficult for everyone involved. I know the hard decisions were not taken lightly and thank all of you for your dedication to Disney and its brands." Reuters is reporting that about 75 employees at Pixar will be laid off - the first significant cuts at the animation studio since 2007. These job losses are tied to Disney CEO Bob Iger's plan of cutting costs by merging film and TV groups under one unit at Disney Entertainment as well as discontinuing distribution division.