Lionsgate Lays Off 8 Percent of Its Staff

According to Daily Variety, Lionsgate, known for films such as Dogma and American Psycho, has laid off 8 percent of its workforce, or 45 employees.

No statement was issued by the studio and a press agent wasn't made available to the press.

Included in the grim statistics are 27 rank and file staffers, 10 staffers shuffled to consulting slots and four unfilled posts.

The mass layoff is the second in a series of rounds expected to pocket a savings of $15-20 million for the debt-laden company. In November, the company laid off 41 employees. With the layoffs, Lionsgate currently has 500 employees, with an operating cost of $120 million.

The film company is currently in a row with billion dollar investor Carl Icahn. Icahn, who is bidding to buy up $350 million worth of Lionsgate's debt, currently holds a 14.5 percent stake in the company, which is second only to a former protege of Icahn.

On Thursday, Lionsgate's board of directors opted not to release any opinion about the proposed Icahn deal. However, in a statement, the board urged investors to "strongly consider" several factors before opting to take Icahn's offer, which expires April 20.

In addition to it's film division, Lionsgate also has hefty investments in television including Showtime's Weeds and AMC's Mad Men.