Warner Bros.’ recent treatment of the Looney Tunes is a disgusting disservice to the long-lived art of 2D animation and a slap in the face to the hard work of creatives.
Looney Tunes is one of the most iconic animated properties of all time and one of Warner Bros.’ most recognizable and profitable brands.
Despite this, the studio as of late has deleted numerous classic shorts featuring the characters on Max (the most accessible platform to watch the content), dumped their recent animated feature to a third-party distributor ( giving them worldwide distribution rights without helping to market the movie) and suffocated a upcoming live-action Looney Tunes film in post-production drama (with it just recently being saved from deletion by Ketchup Entertainment over the negotiation table), along with the base issue of underpaying their animators.
Natasha Chivv, a PEACE freshman and art student stated, “I think traditional art, especially 2000s and 2010s cartoons, really affected how I view art and my art style.”
In regards to studios undercompensating animators, Chivv voiced her disdain for the practice, saying, “In no way, shape, or form should it be done,” and that it “takes away soul from the projects.”
These actions on Warner Bros.’ part are blatantly disrespectful, and directly diminish the impact traditional hand-drawn artists have had on the industry since its formation.
COMPASS art teacher Tiffaney Gardea believes that humans are “inherent creators,” and that traditional art fills an important hole in society.
“Some people view the arts as not being a fundamental need, when in reality, art has built the foundation of our entire world,” Gardea stated.
By unabashedly denying the decades of work these traditional animators have put into studio-housed projects (which in many cases directly help propel the studios’ reputation in the eyes of the public), companies like Warner Bros. wear their hubris on their sleeve. Traditional Hollywood artists made the industry what it is today, and for them to be tossed aside without corporations putting any real effort into filling the void that’s left in their absence, shows just how blinded by statistics and profits these larger than life studios really are.
Kenneth Robinson • May 30, 2025 at 11:08 am
May 30, 2025
Dear Corydon Editor,
On May 27th, 2025 an article titled “Warner Bros.’ Disrespect Toward 2D Animation and the Looney Tunes Legacy” by student reporter Natasha Chivv. First, I commend Chivv for shedding light on an issue that is far too often overlooked: the erasure and underappreciation of traditional 2D animation and the artists who bring it to life.
Her reporting captures the frustration that many animation fans and creators feel in the wake of Warner Bros.’ recent actions. As Chivv points out, the removal of classic Looney Tunes shorts from Max and the underwhelming handling of new Looney Tunes projects reflects a concerning disregard for the legacy and cultural value of 2D animation. I especially appreciated the quotes from both Chivv and COMPASS art teacher Tiffaney Gardea, which emphasize how deeply traditional animation resonates with artists and audiences alike.
However, I would suggest one improvement: including different perspectives from professional animators currently working in the industry could add even more depth. Their experiences with being underpaid or dealing with project cancellations might help readers fully understand the human cost of corporate decisions.
This article is a great and necessary critique of how major studios risk alienating their most loyal audiences and disrespecting the very creators who built their empires by favoring short-term gains over lasting cultural contributions.
Sincerely,
Kenneth Robinson