The Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA) announced on Thursday that negotiations with studios to prevent a major industry shutdown have concluded without a deal. This development opens the door for a potential vote on the first actors’ strike in over 40 years. SAG-AFTRA, which represents 160,000 performers, including A-list celebrities, expressed disappointment over the failed last-ditch talks concerning declining pay and the perceived threat posed by artificial intelligence.
The union’s negotiators unanimously recommended a strike to its national committee, which was scheduled to vote on the matter Thursday morning. If an actors’ strike were to occur simultaneously with a writers’ strike, it would be the first time this has happened since 1960 and would bring nearly all film and television productions in the US to a halt.
The anticipated return of popular series to television this year would likely face significant delays. Furthermore, if the strikes persist, the release of future blockbuster films may also be postponed. Actors are demanding improved pay and safeguards against the future utilization of AI in television and films.
In response to the outcome of the negotiations, the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers released a statement stating that they are deeply disappointed that SAG-AFTRA chose to walk away from the discussions. They emphasized that this decision lies with the union and not the studios. Hollywood studios had sought assistance from federal mediators as a last resort, a move criticized by SAG-AFTRA as a cynical ploy.
Noteworthy A-list stars such as Meryl Streep, Jennifer Lawrence, and Glenn Close are among SAG-AFTRA’s members who have pre-approved industrial action if no agreement is reached.
Titled “Premieres and Parties,” one consequence of a strike would be the immediate halt to stars promoting the year’s biggest releases, precisely during the peak of the movie industry’s summer blockbuster season. In London, a premiere for Christopher Nolan’s film “Oppenheimer” was rescheduled to allow cast members such as Robert Downey Jr., Matt Damon, and Emily Blunt to attend within union regulations. However, the film’s US premiere, scheduled for Monday in New York, and a planned red-carpet launch at Disneyland for the new Haunted Mansion movie this weekend would be affected. Additionally, the annual Comic-Con event in San Diego could be stripped of its usual star-studded lineup.
Even the Emmy Awards, set to take place on September 18, is reportedly considering delaying the event until November or even next year. As the Emmy nominations were announced on Wednesday, Television Academy chairman Frank Scherma expressed hope for a swift and fair resolution to the ongoing guild negotiations.
While the writers’ strike has already significantly reduced the number of movies and shows in production, an actors’ strike would virtually shut everything down. Some reality TV, animation, and talk shows may continue to operate. On Wednesday, Hollywood unions representing directors, behind-the-scenes film workers, and writers expressed unwavering support and solidarity with the actors.
The demand for higher pay to counteract inflation and secure future livelihoods, similar to what the writers are seeking after spending 11 weeks on the picket lines, is among the actors’ demands. In addition to salaries, actors also receive “residuals” whenever a film or show they appeared in is aired on network or cable, which is particularly helpful during periods of unemployment between projects.
However, streamers like Netflix and Disney+ do not disclose viewership numbers for their shows and offer a flat rate for all content on their platforms, regardless of its popularity. Another point of contention is the issue of AI. Both actors and writers want regulations in place to govern its future usage, an aspect that studios have been unwilling to address thus far.
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