Workers at a Louisiana-based studio working on an ambitious Warner Bros. Pictures Animation and DC Studios project in the Batman universe have voted to unionize with IATSE.
Creatives at Swaybox Studios, which is presently working on Dynamic Duo about former Batman sidekicks (a.k.a. Robins) Dick Grayson and Jason Todd, voted to join the crew union IATSE in an election that concluded on Tuesday. Eighty-four eligible workers at the New Orleans-based studio voted to join the union, while 35 voted against the move.
Dynamic Duo is set to be created with the help of Swaybox Studio’s “Momo animation” technique, which is described as a blend of CGI animation, stop-motion animation and live-action performance using puppets. Unless valid challenges are presented, a group of 137 workers at the studio including animators, digital puppetry artists, CG modelers and other workers will soon join the union.
The organizing campaign — tackling a film that IATSE claimed is budgeted at $90 million — was “one of the largest organizing drives in film and television production undertaken by IATSE in recent years,” the union said in a press release.
The Hollywood Reporter has reached out to Swaybox Studios and Warner Bros. Pictures Animation for comment.
According to Local 478 business agent Simonette Berry, the workers began organizing because they wanted a “voice on the job.” The group also sought union-standard wages and benefits, as well as changes to working conditions. “Today, by standing together across crafts and departments, they’ve shown that productions coming to Louisiana to build world-class films can’t expect to succeed by lowering standards or ignoring the people whose talent and dedication bring those projects to life,” Berry’s statement continued.
In a statement, IATSE international vp Mike Miller called on Swaybox Studios to quickly negotiate a contract with its workers. “The workers have now spoken clearly, and we expect Swaybox and Warner Bros. to come to an industry standard agreement immediately,”he said.
Founded in 2014, Swaybox Studios has produced an NFL commercial and worked on a canceled project about Catwoman, another key character from the Batman universe. The company got another chance to work in Gotham City with Dynamic Duo, a film about the Dick Grayson (the first Robin) and Jason Todd (the second) when they were both flying high, before Todd was seemingly murdered by the Joker.
Director Matt Reeves’ production company, 6th & Idaho, is involved. Reeves, helmer of Warner Bros.’ The Batman and executive producer of HBO Max’s The Penguin, is currently working on The Batman Part II, which is slated for release in early 2028.
In a statement about the organizing drive, puppet generalist Matthew Laird said ”When you grow rapidly from a small-scale operation to a big-budget movie, you need help. People and concerns get left behind. So it’s exciting as an employee to unionize. This is a legitimizing force for Swaybox.”