Netflix has laid off around 150 employees, or about 2% of its total workforce, primarily due to budget cuts and "business needs."

In an internal email sent to staff viewed by IGN, Netflix Global Head of HR Sergio Ezama informed employees today about the layoffs, writing, “These changes are especially tough as they are primarily driven by business needs, not individual performance, and no one wants to lose great colleagues.”

Furthermore, the email says that as Netflix continues to prioritize its biggest opportunities, like non-English content, and amid further budget constraints due to slowing revenue, employees should “sadly expect some more departures in the coming months.”

A Netflix spokesperson told IGN, "As we explained on earnings, our slowing revenue growth means we are also having to slow our cost growth as a company. So sadly, we are letting around 150 employees go today, mostly US-based.

"These changes are primarily driven by business needs rather than individual performance, which makes them especially tough as none of us want to say goodbye to such great colleagues. We're working hard to support them through this very difficult transition. A number of agency contractors have also been impacted by the news announced this morning. We are grateful for their contributions to Netflix.

After years of dominating the streaming industry in Hollywood, Netflix is on the defensive after announcing its biggest subscription loss earlier this year. During a financial briefing, Netflix announced it was down 200,000 subscribers compared to the previous quarter, and the company expects to lose another 2 million subscribers in the coming quarter.

News of Netflix's subscriber woes recently caused its shares to plummet to its lowest point since 2018.

Since then, Netflix has cut back on its programming slate, including slashing its animation projects — which Ezama confirmed in the employee email — and laying off most of its in-house editorial team, Tudum.

Netflix plans to explore alternative strategies to grow including a new focus on mobile games, cracking down on password sharing, introducing a cheaper ad-supported tier, and potentially offering live streaming. But with the latest round of layoffs, and knowing there could be even more in the future, Netflix is no longer in the position of strength it once was.

Matt T.M. Kim is IGN's News Editor. You can reach him @lawoftd.

Additional reporting by Kat Bailey, IGN's Senior Editor. You can reach her @The_Katbot

Netflix has laid off around 150 employees, or about 2% of its total workforce, primarily due to budget cuts and "business needs."

In an internal email sent to staff viewed by IGN, Netflix Global Head of HR Sergio Ezama informed employees today about the layoffs, writing, “These changes are especially tough as they are primarily driven by business needs, not individual performance, and no one wants to lose great colleagues.”

Furthermore, the email says that as Netflix continues to prioritize its biggest opportunities, like non-English content, and amid further budget constraints due to slowing revenue, employees should “sadly expect some more departures in the coming months.”

A Netflix spokesperson told IGN, "As we explained on earnings, our slowing revenue growth means we are also having to slow our cost growth as a company. So sadly, we are letting around 150 employees go today, mostly US-based.

"These changes are primarily driven by business needs rather than individual performance, which makes them especially tough as none of us want to say goodbye to such great colleagues. We're working hard to support them through this very difficult transition. A number of agency contractors have also been impacted by the news announced this morning. We are grateful for their contributions to Netflix.

After years of dominating the streaming industry in Hollywood, Netflix is on the defensive after announcing its biggest subscription loss earlier this year. During a financial briefing, Netflix announced it was down 200,000 subscribers compared to the previous quarter, and the company expects to lose another 2 million subscribers in the coming quarter.

News of Netflix's subscriber woes recently caused its shares to plummet to its lowest point since 2018.

Since then, Netflix has cut back on its programming slate, including slashing its animation projects — which Ezama confirmed in the employee email — and laying off most of its in-house editorial team, Tudum.

Netflix plans to explore alternative strategies to grow including a new focus on mobile games, cracking down on password sharing, introducing a cheaper ad-supported tier, and potentially offering live streaming. But with the latest round of layoffs, and knowing there could be even more in the future, Netflix is no longer in the position of strength it once was.

Matt T.M. Kim is IGN's News Editor. You can reach him @lawoftd.

Additional reporting by Kat Bailey, IGN's Senior Editor. You can reach her @The_Katbot

As Star Wars fans await the highly-anticipated rematch between Ewan McGregor's Obi-Wan Kenobi and Hayden Christensen's Darth Vader, Obi-Wan Kenobi showrunner Deborah Chow is sharing some insight about what makes the duo's relationship tick.

Speaking to Vanity Fair, Chow said Obi-Wan and Anakin's fractured bond is compelling because of the love they once felt for one another, and the dynamic between them is what led Chow to feel Christensen's casting as Darth Vader was a necessity.

“For me, across the prequels, through the original trilogy, there’s a love-story dynamic with these two that goes through the whole thing,” Chow said. “I felt like it was quite hard to not [include] the person who left Kenobi in such anguish in the series.”

While #ObiWan anguishes over his past, Anakin Skywalker is a man at war with himself. Showrunner Deborah Chow tells V.F. that what intrigued her most about the series was the thread between them: “I don’t think [Obi-Wan] ever will not care about him... They loved each other.” pic.twitter.com/E6uvJVQl4k

— VANITY FAIR (@VanityFair) May 17, 2022

It seems the show could explore Obi-Wan's lingering feelings for Anakin, as Chow says Obi-Wan certainly still cares about him.

“I don’t know how you could not,” she says. “I don’t think he ever will not care about him. What’s special about that relationship is that they loved each other.”

Christensen also shed some light on how the show could explore Vader's psyche post-Revenge of the Sith, saying we could see a new vulnerable side to the character.

“A lot of my conversations with Deborah [Chow] were about wanting to convey this feeling of strength, but also coupled with imprisonment,” Christensen said. “There is this power and vulnerability, and I think that’s an interesting space to explore.”

It won't be long until we get to see the two characters interact on screen again, as Obi-Wan Kenobi will premiere on Disney Plus on May 27 with two episodes. The latest trailer also gave us a glimpse of Darth Vader and plenty of action.

For more on Obi-Wan Kenobi, read about how it took McGregor months to re-find his Obi-Wan voice. Or, check out when McGregor hinted at an Obi-Wan connection to Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order.

Logan Plant is a freelance writer for IGN. You can find him on Twitter @LoganJPlant.

As Star Wars fans await the highly-anticipated rematch between Ewan McGregor's Obi-Wan Kenobi and Hayden Christensen's Darth Vader, Obi-Wan Kenobi showrunner Deborah Chow is sharing some insight about what makes the duo's relationship tick.

Speaking to Vanity Fair, Chow said Obi-Wan and Anakin's fractured bond is compelling because of the love they once felt for one another, and the dynamic between them is what led Chow to feel Christensen's casting as Darth Vader was a necessity.

“For me, across the prequels, through the original trilogy, there’s a love-story dynamic with these two that goes through the whole thing,” Chow said. “I felt like it was quite hard to not [include] the person who left Kenobi in such anguish in the series.”

While #ObiWan anguishes over his past, Anakin Skywalker is a man at war with himself. Showrunner Deborah Chow tells V.F. that what intrigued her most about the series was the thread between them: “I don’t think [Obi-Wan] ever will not care about him... They loved each other.” pic.twitter.com/E6uvJVQl4k

— VANITY FAIR (@VanityFair) May 17, 2022

It seems the show could explore Obi-Wan's lingering feelings for Anakin, as Chow says Obi-Wan certainly still cares about him.

“I don’t know how you could not,” she says. “I don’t think he ever will not care about him. What’s special about that relationship is that they loved each other.”

Christensen also shed some light on how the show could explore Vader's psyche post-Revenge of the Sith, saying we could see a new vulnerable side to the character.

“A lot of my conversations with Deborah [Chow] were about wanting to convey this feeling of strength, but also coupled with imprisonment,” Christensen said. “There is this power and vulnerability, and I think that’s an interesting space to explore.”

It won't be long until we get to see the two characters interact on screen again, as Obi-Wan Kenobi will premiere on Disney Plus on May 27 with two episodes. The latest trailer also gave us a glimpse of Darth Vader and plenty of action.

For more on Obi-Wan Kenobi, read about how it took McGregor months to re-find his Obi-Wan voice. Or, check out when McGregor hinted at an Obi-Wan connection to Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order.

Logan Plant is a freelance writer for IGN. You can find him on Twitter @LoganJPlant.

Following rumors that horror game developer Bloober Team is remaking the legendary Silent Hill 2, CEO Piotr Babieno has said he cannot comment, but hopes to make an announcement about the company's future projects "as soon as we can". He added that its unannounced project will "still be a Bloober Team title", even if it's made in partnership with another company. Babieno also explained that future Bloober games will be bigger and more gameplay-focused than in the past, and will not be "walking sim"-type experiences.

Speaking to IGN at Polish games conference Digital Dragons, Babieno responded to rumors (first reported by influencer Nate the Hate and subsequently journalist Jeff Grubb) about a Silent Hill 2 Remake by saying:

“We can’t comment on anything we are doing because we appreciate our relationship with our partners, of course. So we can’t [say] anything. We will make an announcement about our future projects as soon as we can. So then you will know much more." Chuckling, he added, "Officially."

Bloober Team entered into a partnership with Konami — owner of the Silent Hill series — last year. Since then, multiple reports have linked the developer (which developed horror games Layers of Fear, Observer, Blair Witch, and The Medium) with a Silent Hill project. It was even forced to deny that some of its unused game concepts were planned Silent Hill titles. Bloober confirmed previously that it's simultaneously working on two titles, one with Konami, while another, due to be published by Private Division, is a new IP. Babieno tells me a third title is in pre-production.

Later in the interview, I asked Babieno about the company's experience working with a license holder in the case of Blair Witch, and the CEO briefly referenced one of Bloober's upcoming projects, making clear that his company's approach is to make games on its own terms, even if it's within someone else's franchise.

“I would say that it’s hard to work with someone who [owns an IP you’re working on], but we are always talking with those licensors, [saying] 'Guys we would like to use your license, but we would like to tell our own story.' If we are not able to tell our own story, if we will not have creative freedom, it doesn’t make sense, because Bloober Team will not make a great game," Babieno said. "If you are in a prison, you will not be able to fly. So that’s why we are trying to only [make] those titles in which we are feeling, ‘OK, it will be a Bloober Team game, not someone [else’s].' So even on the project we can’t talk [about], it will still be a Bloober Team title.”

Babieno didn't make clear that this was a reference to the Konami title, but it feels likely given that Bloober's Private Division game is a new IP. If that is the case, and Bloober is working on Silent Hill, Babieno's words could be taken to mean that the company is applying its own ideas to Silent Hill 2, or alternatively that its Silent Hill game is actually a new story in the series entirely. The CEO did not provide any further comment on those lines.

Speaking more generally about Bloober Team's future, Babieno said that the company was aiming to change the kinds of games it makes, while sticking with the dark, psychologically focused subject areas it has specialised in.

“There are a lot of people in our team who would like to do bigger games, with more gameplay, with some game mechanics [we haven’t used before] because mostly our past titles were experience-like, right? It was more about the mood, about the story, not necessarily about gameplay. [...] We would like to do games which will tell our stories based on the game mechanics. So you could expect that each of our future titles will have a lot of gameplay mechanics. Those titles will be bigger.”

He added that Bloober's games would continue to transition away from the "walking simulator" approach of its early successes, such as Layers of Fear.

"It’s not a huge jump, it’s rather evolution, but right now we are well-prepared to make games similar to Hellblade, to name [one example]. But I would say that we will still have our DNA - those games will still belong to Bloober Team’s legacy, and they will be bigger. We will tell stories [through gameplay], it will not be walking sim kinds of experience in the future, but still, the subject, those feelings which we would [we would like our fans to feel], they will remain," Babieno said.

Aside from the rumors about a Silent Hill 2 remake, images from what is rumored to be a brand new Silent Hill were revealed last week — and swiftly deleted after a copyright claim. The deletion seems to lend credence to their authenticity, although Konami has not commented.

Silent Hill 2 remains one of the most beloved games ever released. We named the PS2 psychological horror one of the best games of all time, calling it "an exploration of the depths of human depravity and the effects it has on the people and places around us that few video games have handled with such a disturbing grace and maturity."

Joe Skrebels is IGN's Executive Editor of News. Follow him on Twitter. Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.

Following rumors that horror game developer Bloober Team is remaking the legendary Silent Hill 2, CEO Piotr Babieno has said he cannot comment, but hopes to make an announcement about the company's future projects "as soon as we can". He added that its unannounced project will "still be a Bloober Team title", even if it's made in partnership with another company. Babieno also explained that future Bloober games will be bigger and more gameplay-focused than in the past, and will not be "walking sim"-type experiences.

Speaking to IGN at Polish games conference Digital Dragons, Babieno responded to rumors (first reported by influencer Nate the Hate and subsequently journalist Jeff Grubb) about a Silent Hill 2 Remake by saying:

“We can’t comment on anything we are doing because we appreciate our relationship with our partners, of course. So we can’t [say] anything. We will make an announcement about our future projects as soon as we can. So then you will know much more." Chuckling, he added, "Officially."

Bloober Team entered into a partnership with Konami — owner of the Silent Hill series — last year. Since then, multiple reports have linked the developer (which developed horror games Layers of Fear, Observer, Blair Witch, and The Medium) with a Silent Hill project. It was even forced to deny that some of its unused game concepts were planned Silent Hill titles. Bloober confirmed previously that it's simultaneously working on two titles, one with Konami, while another, due to be published by Private Division, is a new IP. Babieno tells me a third title is in pre-production.

Later in the interview, I asked Babieno about the company's experience working with a license holder in the case of Blair Witch, and the CEO briefly referenced one of Bloober's upcoming projects, making clear that his company's approach is to make games on its own terms, even if it's within someone else's franchise.

“I would say that it’s hard to work with someone who [owns an IP you’re working on], but we are always talking with those licensors, [saying] 'Guys we would like to use your license, but we would like to tell our own story.' If we are not able to tell our own story, if we will not have creative freedom, it doesn’t make sense, because Bloober Team will not make a great game," Babieno said. "If you are in a prison, you will not be able to fly. So that’s why we are trying to only [make] those titles in which we are feeling, ‘OK, it will be a Bloober Team game, not someone [else’s].' So even on the project we can’t talk [about], it will still be a Bloober Team title.”

Babieno didn't make clear that this was a reference to the Konami title, but it feels likely given that Bloober's Private Division game is a new IP. If that is the case, and Bloober is working on Silent Hill, Babieno's words could be taken to mean that the company is applying its own ideas to Silent Hill 2, or alternatively that its Silent Hill game is actually a new story in the series entirely. The CEO did not provide any further comment on those lines.

Speaking more generally about Bloober Team's future, Babieno said that the company was aiming to change the kinds of games it makes, while sticking with the dark, psychologically focused subject areas it has specialised in.

“There are a lot of people in our team who would like to do bigger games, with more gameplay, with some game mechanics [we haven’t used before] because mostly our past titles were experience-like, right? It was more about the mood, about the story, not necessarily about gameplay. [...] We would like to do games which will tell our stories based on the game mechanics. So you could expect that each of our future titles will have a lot of gameplay mechanics. Those titles will be bigger.”

He added that Bloober's games would continue to transition away from the "walking simulator" approach of its early successes, such as Layers of Fear.

"It’s not a huge jump, it’s rather evolution, but right now we are well-prepared to make games similar to Hellblade, to name [one example]. But I would say that we will still have our DNA - those games will still belong to Bloober Team’s legacy, and they will be bigger. We will tell stories [through gameplay], it will not be walking sim kinds of experience in the future, but still, the subject, those feelings which we would [we would like our fans to feel], they will remain," Babieno said.

Aside from the rumors about a Silent Hill 2 remake, images from what is rumored to be a brand new Silent Hill were revealed last week — and swiftly deleted after a copyright claim. The deletion seems to lend credence to their authenticity, although Konami has not commented.

Silent Hill 2 remains one of the most beloved games ever released. We named the PS2 psychological horror one of the best games of all time, calling it "an exploration of the depths of human depravity and the effects it has on the people and places around us that few video games have handled with such a disturbing grace and maturity."

Joe Skrebels is IGN's Executive Editor of News. Follow him on Twitter. Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.

Lucasfilm has confirmed that Rian Johnson's Star Wars trilogy is on hold for the time being as the filmmaker is "unbelievably busy" with other projects.

In an interview with Vanity Fair, Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy provided an update on the planned Star Wars trilogy from Rian Johnson, which was first announced back in 2017. Johnson was set to write and direct the first of the three films but there have been very few updates in the years since because he has apparently been sidetracked by other projects.

"Rian has been unbelievably busy with Knives Out and the deal that he made at Netflix for multiple movies," Kennedy confirmed, referencing his commitments with Netflix. The streaming company shelled out a whopping $450 million last year to purchase the rights to two Knives Out sequels, with writer-director Rian Johnson returning for both of those films.

This deal has reportedly put Johnson's Star Wars trilogy on the back burner for now, meaning there are no dates or timelines for when the first film will be released and it doesn't currently feature on Lucasfilm's immediate road map for the future. Kennedy even hinted that the trilogy format might be on the way out, in favour of "much more persistent storytelling."

Johnson's planned Star Wars trilogy may be the exception. The Last Jedi director had started developing the new film series before his schedule ramped up, telling IGN in 2018 that he was at "the very beginning of figuring out what this new thing" was going to be. He later confirmed that he would be moving "beyond the legacy characters" to find an all-new direction.

While Johnson's film trilogy is paused, it looks likely that Taika Waititi's Star Wars movie will be the first out of the gate. Rogue Squadron from Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins is said to be "further off," having been indefinitely delayed last year, and Kevin Feige's movie is up in the air as Kennedy noted "there isn't anything specifically" down for that right now.

Adele Ankers-Range is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow her on Twitter.

Lucasfilm has confirmed that Rian Johnson's Star Wars trilogy is on hold for the time being as the filmmaker is "unbelievably busy" with other projects.

In an interview with Vanity Fair, Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy provided an update on the planned Star Wars trilogy from Rian Johnson, which was first announced back in 2017. Johnson was set to write and direct the first of the three films but there have been very few updates in the years since because he has apparently been sidetracked by other projects.

"Rian has been unbelievably busy with Knives Out and the deal that he made at Netflix for multiple movies," Kennedy confirmed, referencing his commitments with Netflix. The streaming company shelled out a whopping $450 million last year to purchase the rights to two Knives Out sequels, with writer-director Rian Johnson returning for both of those films.

This deal has reportedly put Johnson's Star Wars trilogy on the back burner for now, meaning there are no dates or timelines for when the first film will be released and it doesn't currently feature on Lucasfilm's immediate road map for the future. Kennedy even hinted that the trilogy format might be on the way out, in favour of "much more persistent storytelling."

Johnson's planned Star Wars trilogy may be the exception. The Last Jedi director had started developing the new film series before his schedule ramped up, telling IGN in 2018 that he was at "the very beginning of figuring out what this new thing" was going to be. He later confirmed that he would be moving "beyond the legacy characters" to find an all-new direction.

While Johnson's film trilogy is paused, it looks likely that Taika Waititi's Star Wars movie will be the first out of the gate. Rogue Squadron from Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins is said to be "further off," having been indefinitely delayed last year, and Kevin Feige's movie is up in the air as Kennedy noted "there isn't anything specifically" down for that right now.

Adele Ankers-Range is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow her on Twitter.

IGN can exclusively debut online the first nine minutes of Sony Pictures’ Morbius ahead of its 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD release on June 14, 2022. The movie became available on digital today, May 17.

You can watch the footage via the player above or the embed below.

The home entertainment release of Morbius features outtakes, bloopers, behind-the-scenes featurettes, and Easter Eggs from the Sony-Marvel film.

Based on the Marvel Comics antihero Michael Morbius, the movie stars Oscar winner Jared Leto as the titular “Living Vampire.” The cast also includes Matt Smith, Adria Arjona, Jared Harris, Al Madrigal, and Tyrese Gibson.

Daniel Espinosa (Safe House, Life) directed Morbius from a screenplay by Matt Sazama & Burk Sharpless. Avi Arad, Matt Tolmach, and Lucas Foster are the producers.

Morbius has earned $162.6 million so far at the worldwide box office.

You can find below all of the Morbius bonus features and specs for the 4k Ultra HD, Blu-Ray, and DVD releases:

4K ULTRA HD, BLU-RAY, AND DIGITAL

• Outtakes & Bloopers
• Featurettes:
  • Defining The Antihero
  • From Human to Vampire – Visual Effects
  • Lights, Camera, Action
  • The Good, Bad & Ugly – Supporting Cast Doing the Stunt Work
  • Living Vampire from Comics to Screen
• Nocturnal Easter Eggs

DVD

• Featurettes:
  • Defining the Antihero
  • The Good, Bad & Ugly – Supporting Cast Doing the Stunt Work

4K UHD: Feature: 2160p Ultra High Definition / 2.39:1 • Audio: English Dolby Atmos (Dolby True HD7.1 compatible), French (Doublé au Québec), Spanish, English & French (Doublé au Québec) – Audio Description Tracks 5.1 Dolby Digital • Subtitles: English, English SDH, French, Spanish.

Blu-ray: Feature: 1080p High Definition / 2.39:1 • Audio: English, French (Doublé au Québec), 5.1 DTS-HD MA, Spanish English & French (Doublé au Québec) – Audio Description Tracks 5.1 Dolby Digital • Subtitles: English, English SDH, French, Spanish • Mastered in High Definition.

DVD: Feature: 2.39:1 Anamorphic Widescreen • Audio: English, French (Doublé au Québec), Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital, English & French (Doublé au Québec) Audio Description Tracks Dolby Surround • Subtitles: English, English SDH, French, Spanish.

For more coverage of Morbius and the Sony Pictures Universe of Marvel Characters, check out our rundown of every Spider-Man movie spin-off in development at Sony and our breakdown of Morbius’ post-credits scenes.

IGN can exclusively debut online the first nine minutes of Sony Pictures’ Morbius ahead of its 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD release on June 14, 2022. The movie became available on digital today, May 17.

You can watch the footage via the player above or the embed below.

The home entertainment release of Morbius features outtakes, bloopers, behind-the-scenes featurettes, and Easter Eggs from the Sony-Marvel film.

Based on the Marvel Comics antihero Michael Morbius, the movie stars Oscar winner Jared Leto as the titular “Living Vampire.” The cast also includes Matt Smith, Adria Arjona, Jared Harris, Al Madrigal, and Tyrese Gibson.

Daniel Espinosa (Safe House, Life) directed Morbius from a screenplay by Matt Sazama & Burk Sharpless. Avi Arad, Matt Tolmach, and Lucas Foster are the producers.

Morbius has earned $162.6 million so far at the worldwide box office.

You can find below all of the Morbius bonus features and specs for the 4k Ultra HD, Blu-Ray, and DVD releases:

4K ULTRA HD, BLU-RAY, AND DIGITAL

• Outtakes & Bloopers
• Featurettes:
  • Defining The Antihero
  • From Human to Vampire – Visual Effects
  • Lights, Camera, Action
  • The Good, Bad & Ugly – Supporting Cast Doing the Stunt Work
  • Living Vampire from Comics to Screen
• Nocturnal Easter Eggs

DVD

• Featurettes:
  • Defining the Antihero
  • The Good, Bad & Ugly – Supporting Cast Doing the Stunt Work

4K UHD: Feature: 2160p Ultra High Definition / 2.39:1 • Audio: English Dolby Atmos (Dolby True HD7.1 compatible), French (Doublé au Québec), Spanish, English & French (Doublé au Québec) – Audio Description Tracks 5.1 Dolby Digital • Subtitles: English, English SDH, French, Spanish.

Blu-ray: Feature: 1080p High Definition / 2.39:1 • Audio: English, French (Doublé au Québec), 5.1 DTS-HD MA, Spanish English & French (Doublé au Québec) – Audio Description Tracks 5.1 Dolby Digital • Subtitles: English, English SDH, French, Spanish • Mastered in High Definition.

DVD: Feature: 2.39:1 Anamorphic Widescreen • Audio: English, French (Doublé au Québec), Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital, English & French (Doublé au Québec) Audio Description Tracks Dolby Surround • Subtitles: English, English SDH, French, Spanish.

For more coverage of Morbius and the Sony Pictures Universe of Marvel Characters, check out our rundown of every Spider-Man movie spin-off in development at Sony and our breakdown of Morbius’ post-credits scenes.