Spider-Man: Freshman Year and Other Animation Projects in Jeopardy Following Alleged Marvel Studios Layoffs

New reports have been circulating about Disney laying off employees from Marvel Studios’ animation department.

The new department was created to focus on animation projects, which were first announced a few years ago. So far, shows like the Season 1 of What If…? and I am Groot have been the only projects that has seen the light of day.

According to insider KC Walsh, the animation department is in jeopardy of losing several members, with many projects also at the risk of being cancelled as well.

Alredy hearing someone shows are in trouble, lay offs are happening and creators don’t know what their future holds

— KC Walsh (@TheComixKid) November 15, 2022

One of the projects that has been rumored to receive the axe is Spider-Man: Freshman Year. The prequel series based around the MCU Spider-Man was last showcased at SDCC 2022, where it was revealed that Charlie Cox’s Daredevil will also be a part of it.

It does look like the lay off part is 100% true as members of the freshman year team have said this pic.twitter.com/6hUOmB0JAz

— Spider-Man News (@SpiderMan3news) November 16, 2022

The first season of the show was scheduled to launch in 2024. However, new rumors suggest that Marvel Studios might cancel the entire project itself due to the amount of time and money required for animated projects to be completed.

Marvel Studios’ animation adventures had a shaky start with What If…? Season 1 receiving mixed responses. While it was revealed that other animated projects like Marvel Zombies and X-Men ’97 will also be part of the future, the recent changes might suggest trouble in paradise for the shows and the creators working on them.