Striking actors and writers risk slaying Gladiator sequel
BLOCKBUSTER films including the Gladiator and Avatar sequels are among those likely to be affected by Hollywood actors joining writers in strike action.
Members of the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists union walked out yesterday.
Stars such as Oscarwinner Susan Sarandon joined action in the US, while Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Matt Damon and Sir Kenneth Branagh were among A-listers who left Thursday’s Oppenheimer film premiere in London to “go and write their picket signs”.
Actors are concerned about contracts keeping up with inflation, wages in the streaming era and more protections against the use of artificial intelligence mimicking their work on film and television shows.
Brink
Sag-Aftra, which represents 160,000 actors, said members voted to strike for the first time in decades after talks with Hollywood film studios broke down.
No further talks are planned and there is no end in sight for work stoppages – the first time both writing and acting guilds have walked off sets since 1960.
Succession star Brian Cox warned yesterday the strike could get “very unpleasant” and actors may have to go “to the brink”, predicting action could continue until the end of the year.
It will impact more than filming. Stars will no longer be allowed to promote their work through red carpet premieres and personal appearances, campaign for awards or participate in auditions or rehearsals.
International shoots can technically continue but the US-based writers and performers’ strike is likely to impact these as well.