Disney's Massive Layoffs Have Seemingly Hit Marvel Hard
Gizmodo • • business
Key Points:
- Disney is implementing a major round of layoffs across all divisions, cutting around 1,000 jobs company-wide, with Marvel Studios experiencing an approximate 8% staff reduction.
- The layoffs have significantly impacted Marvel Studios' visual development team, with nearly the entire team being laid off and only a small crew remaining to manage external contractors.
- The visual development team, led by creative director Ryan Meinerding, has been instrumental in shaping the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s visual style and producing concept art used widely in marketing and merchandise.
- The layoffs are attributed to changes in Marvel’s production slate and broader cost-cutting measures at Disney, though CEO Josh D’Amaro emphasized the cuts reflect resource management rather than the quality of work.
- The decision raises questions about how Marvel will maintain its visual identity and creative output without its longstanding in-house visual development team.
