DreamWorks Animation Announces Staff Cuts Amidst Challenges in the Industry
DreamWorks Animation, the renowned animation studio, has recently announced that it will be reducing its staff by four percent. This decision comes as the studio faces a downward cyclical turn in the business, rising production costs, and ongoing strikes within the industry.
Approximately 70 positions have been affected by the staff cuts across various departments including corporate functions, feature, television, and technology. A spokesperson for DreamWorks Animation informed Deadline that these reductions are part of an overall cost-reduction strategy implemented by the studio.
Despite the current challenges, DreamWorks Animation is hopeful that its upcoming release, the third installment of the Trolls movie franchise, titled “Trolls Band Together,” will help turn things around. Set to hit theaters on November 17, the film boasts an impressive voice cast including Justin Timberlake, Anna Kendrick, Camila Cabello, Eric André, Kid Cudi, Troye Sivan, Daveed Diggs, Amy Schumer, RuPaul, Kenan Thompson, and more. Notably, *Nsync will also reunite after 22 years to perform a song for the film’s soundtrack, adding to the hype surrounding its release.
In addition to the Trolls franchise, DreamWorks Animation has partnered with Netflix for an animated feature called “Orion and The Dark,” written by Charlie Kaufman. The film, set to be released in 2024, will be directed by Sean Charmatz and produced by Peter McCown. Walt Dohrn and Bonnie Arnold will serve as executive producers. The voice cast includes Jacob Tremblay as Orion and Paul Walter Hauser as Dark.
DreamWorks Animation remains committed to navigating these challenging times and adapting to the evolutions within the animation industry. With strategic cost reductions in place and a promising lineup of projects, the studio aims to thrive and continue delivering captivating animated films for audiences worldwide.