VFX Workers on ‘Avatar,' Marvel and Disney Projects Ratify IATSE Contracts
The contracts include standard union protections like overtime pay, eligibility for the Motion Picture Industry Pension and Health Plan, meal penalties, rest periods and turnaround times. The Disney/Marvel contract also includes raises of 4% in the first year and 3.5% in the second year, matching the raises negotiated last year by the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees.
More from Variety
Disney and Old Navy Team Up on Limited-Edition Americana Collection: Shop the Best Pieces Here
Disney Parks Chief Josh D'Amaro Predicts Universal's Epic Universe Will Actually Drive More Disney World Visitors
Disney's Upfront Went Hard on Sports - With an Off-Key Manning Brothers Musical - but Hardly Mentioned ABC
'I want to congratulate the member of these VFX bargaining units on negotiating fair contracts that earned such strong support,' said Matthew Loeb, international president of IATSE. 'From when they started this process until today, the leadership and determination shown by these members has been an inspiration.'
The vote marks a milestone on the long journey to unionize VFX workers, who have struggled against tight deadlines and long hours. About 50 Marvel workers voted unanimously to join IATSE in 2023, followed a month later by a 13-0 vote among Disney VFX workers. The 'Avatar' VFX workers voted 57-19 in favor of unionization in January 2024.
The contracts cover workers who are employed directly by Disney or Marvel, and in the case of 'Avatar,' by Lightstorm Entertainment. They do not cover the thousands of workers who are employed by third-party VFX companies.
The 'Avatar' contract includes the language on artificial intelligence that was included in the IATSE Basic Agreement last year, according to a summary put out by the union. The summary of the Disney/Marvel deal did not mention AI.
'This is not just a victory for Marvel/Disney, but a much-needed win for the entire VFX industry,' said Cael Liakos-Gilbert, a VFX data wrangler at Marvel, in a statement, calling it one of the proudest moments of his life. 'We've proven what is possible through determination and willpower, and don't have to speculate or be shrouded in cynicism and doubt any longer. We've put ink to paper and given our people the contract we deserve.'
Mack Robinson, a Disney VFX coordinator, said he hoped the contracts would mark 'the first step to a broader change for the VFX industry.'
Justin Meade, who works on 'Avatar,' said he hoped other VFX workers would follow suit and vote to organize.
'Our power is in our labor, and our voices are heard through our solidarity, and now the Avatar crew will all have the chance at an equitable life working in one of our country's best industries,' he said.
VFX workers at Apple Studios also voted 12-0 to organize with IATSE last year. Workers at DNEG, a major Canadian VFX firm, also unionized in 2023 and 2024.
Best of Variety
New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week
Emmy Predictions: Talk/Scripted Variety Series - The Variety Categories Are Still a Mess; Netflix, Dropout, and 'Hot Ones' Stir Up Buzz
Oscars Predictions 2026: 'Sinners' Becomes Early Contender Ahead of Cannes Film Festival
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Tom's Guide
2 hours ago
- Tom's Guide
'Fantastic Four: First Steps' proves why the MCU needs to get weirder to shake its post-'End Game' slump
I fell off the MCU hard after "Avengers: Endgame" — and I'm far from the only one. Marvel has struggled to regain its momentum post-Thanos snap, a fact made crystal clear last year when Robert Downey Jr. was announced to rejoin the franchise. Between a convoluted jumble of multiversal plotlines and TV spin-offs, the prominent exit of the MCU's next big bad, and extensive reshoots that left big-ticket sequels like "Captain America: Brave New World" a hot mess, the MCU is facing a reckoning. Don't think that the MCU's stumbling means audiences are any less hungry for superhero flicks. The success of James Gunn's 'Superman' proves there's still a strong appetite for caped crusaders. It's the highest-grossing solo Superman film to date after earning $292.4 million domestically at the box office, overtaking the $291 million total of the 2013 "Man of Steel." The critical success of recent MCU entries like "Thunderbolts" is a promising sign that Marvel may be close to finding its groove again. After seeing "The Fantastic Four: First Steps" in the theaters, I'm confident Marvel can keep this momentum going — but only if it commits to getting weirder from here on out. When it comes to the MCU, weird works. That much was clear even before "Endgame." Taika Waititi's "Thor Ragnarok" was a huge middle finger to the previous Thor movies, steeped in '80s rock opera camp with a comedic bent. It injected new life into one of the most underdeveloped Avengers after his snoozefest of a second film. In that same vein, "Wandavision" is the jewel of the MCU's catalogue of shows on Disney Plus, and it marked a stark departure for the franchise with its mix of sitcom shenanigans, fourth-wall breaking, and horror vibes. I wasn't surprised to learn the show's director, Matt Shakman, is in the director's chair for "First Steps, because both the TV show and the movie share a seriously impressive commitment to a distinct aesthetic. With the Fantastic Four's track record of big-screen adaptations, I wasn't looking forward to this summer's "The Fantastic Four: First Steps." Then I saw the trailer, and I was immediately sold on the look, if nothing else. As a huge "Fallout" fan, the retro-futuristic aesthetic instantly caught my attention. Marvel was able to craft such a unique style for "First Steps" because it's set on a new Earth apart from the rest of the MCU, one where the Space Age never came to a close. And that fact shines through in every shot of this strange, colorful retrofuturistic version of Manhattan. It feels straight out of a comic book, a fever dream of mod fashion, Flash-Gordon-inspired rocket ships, flying cars, and midcentury modern pizzazz. It's visually distinct from anything in the MCU we've seen so far, and I sincerely hope it paves the way for even more stylish (and strange) versions of Earth in future MCU outings. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Fans Heartbroken as Beloved Disney Attraction Demolished — See the Photos
NEED TO KNOW Jim Henson's Muppet*Vision 3D officially closed its doors after 34 years on Saturday, June 7 The attraction was the last project that Henson worked on before his death A Monsters, Inc. coaster and associated land will take its placeDisney World is ushering in a new era as the demolition of one of its beloved Disney's Hollywood Studios attractions nears completion. Nearly two months after Jim Henson's Muppet*Vision 3D closed its doors after a 34-year run on Saturday, June 7, only remnants of Grand Avenue, formerly known as Muppets Courtyard, remain. The attraction, which combined a 3D movie, real special effects, and character animatronics, was the last project the late Jim Henson worked on before his death. The Muppets creator died in 1990 at the age of 53. The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now! According to photos shared by Blog Mickey with PEOPLE, much of the plaza in front of the former MuppetVision*3D attraction has been destroyed, with only pieces of the pavement that surround its floors and walls still in place. One image shows green and yellow excavators preparing to do more of the demolition that's needed for the Monsters, Inc. coaster and associated land that will take its place. Another photo shared with PEOPLE shows that only one wall of the Stage 1 Company Store is still intact, and that the pavement around the former Miss Piggy fountain has been demolished. The plans for the new attraction, based on the 2001 film, were announced at the D23: The Ultimate Fan Event in August 2024. Billy Crystal, who voiced Mike Wazowski in the Pixar animated movie, announced the news on stage, including that it will allow humans to "stroll the streets alongside some of your favorite monsters" and include a new suspended coaster (Disney's first) that travels through the magical door factory featured in the film. After it was rumored for several months that the new project would be positioned in the Muppet*Vision 3D area, fans were proven correct when Disney confirmed the news in November 2024. However, it was announced in June 2025 that the Muppets would be taking over the Rock' n' Roller Coaster. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. "Hi Ho everyone! @TheMuppets are packing up and moving to Sunset Blvd for their first ever coaster! Grab your guitar (or banjo), because Rock 'N' Roller Coaster Starring @TheMuppets speeds into Disney's Hollywood Studios in 2026," a post on X from the Walt Disney World account announced. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Fans Heartbroken as Beloved Disney Attraction Demolished — See the Photos
Jim Henson's Muppet*Vision 3D officially closed its doors after 34 years on Saturday, June 7NEED TO KNOW Jim Henson's Muppet*Vision 3D officially closed its doors after 34 years on Saturday, June 7 The attraction was the last project that Henson worked on before his death A Monsters, Inc. coaster and associated land will take its placeDisney World is ushering in a new era as the demolition of one of its beloved Disney's Hollywood Studios attractions nears completion. Nearly two months after Jim Henson's Muppet*Vision 3D closed its doors after a 34-year run on Saturday, June 7, only remnants of Grand Avenue, formerly known as Muppets Courtyard, remain. The attraction, which combined a 3D movie, real special effects, and character animatronics, was the last project the late Jim Henson worked on before his death. The Muppets creator died in 1990 at the age of 53. The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now! According to photos shared by Blog Mickey with PEOPLE, much of the plaza in front of the former MuppetVision*3D attraction has been destroyed, with only pieces of the pavement that surround its floors and walls still in place. One image shows green and yellow excavators preparing to do more of the demolition that's needed for the Monsters, Inc. coaster and associated land that will take its place. Another photo shared with PEOPLE shows that only one wall of the Stage 1 Company Store is still intact, and that the pavement around the former Miss Piggy fountain has been demolished. The plans for the new attraction, based on the 2001 film, were announced at the D23: The Ultimate Fan Event in August 2024. Billy Crystal, who voiced Mike Wazowski in the Pixar animated movie, announced the news on stage, including that it will allow humans to "stroll the streets alongside some of your favorite monsters" and include a new suspended coaster (Disney's first) that travels through the magical door factory featured in the film. After it was rumored for several months that the new project would be positioned in the Muppet*Vision 3D area, fans were proven correct when Disney confirmed the news in November 2024. However, it was announced in June 2025 that the Muppets would be taking over the Rock' n' Roller Coaster. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. "Hi Ho everyone! @TheMuppets are packing up and moving to Sunset Blvd for their first ever coaster! Grab your guitar (or banjo), because Rock 'N' Roller Coaster Starring @TheMuppets speeds into Disney's Hollywood Studios in 2026," a post on X from the Walt Disney World account announced. Read the original article on People
