
Major Studio Makes Christmas Magic for Construction Crew Left Unpaid
By Movieguide® Contributor
Paramount and 101 Studios saved Christmas for construction workers building sets for the new Guy Ritchie series.
“At least 50 people who worked building the sets on the gangster show have been left unpaid to the total tune of around £250,000 ($316,000), but hopes are now high they will have the money well in time for the holiday,” Deadline reported. “Those who were left initially unpaid were not employees of Paramount nor 101 but were contracted by Helix3D, a set construction firm which is likely to now enter liquidation.”
“Construction of sets took place over the summer and the non-payment issue has emerged in recent weeks due to financial strife experienced by Helix3D,” the outlet continued. “Paramount and 101 are understood to have paid Helix but Helix has failed to pass on some of the sum to at least 50 people who are members of UK broadcasting union Bectu, if not more who are not part of the union. A number of people who worked on the show raised concerns in a Facebook group over the past few days that they won’t be paid in the run-up to Christmas.”
Helix boss Brian Dowling received a letter from Bectu official Chris Hudson, who wrote, “What does seem to have been avoidable was the lack of foresight that this situation could occur, given the serious financial trouble Helix was in.”
This meant that Helix was “unable to pay our members whilst they were tirelessly working to finish building the sets.”
“Deadline understands Paramount and 101 have now intervened and are hopeful they can pay all the money owed to these construction workers by early next week,” the outlet noted.
Ritchie’s series is currently under the working titles THE ASSOCIATES and FIXER. It will star Tom Hardy, Helen Mirren and Pierce Brosnan. Production began in London, and the series is slated for a 2025 release date, Variety reported.
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