Hollywood actors announce strike as Oppenheimer stars walk out of London premiere

Hollywood’s film and TV industry will effectively be shut down after American actors announced they will join writers by going on strike.

The decision to walk out means that for the first time in 63 years, both SAG-AFTRA (the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) and WGA (the Writers Guild of America) will be on strike at the same time.

SAG-AFTRA said the industrial action – which is being held amid anger over pay, conditions and concerns over the use of artificial intelligence (AI) – would begin at midnight Los Angeles time.

The union also warned no date for its end had been set.

As the strike was announced, stars including Matt Damon walked out of the London premiere of historical epic Oppenheimer to “write their picket signs”, the film’s director Christopher Nolan said.

Speaking on stage at the Odeon Luxe in Leicester Square, he said: “I have to acknowledge the work of our incredible cast, led by Cillian Murphy.

“The list is enormous – Robert Downey Jr, Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Florence Pugh, Kenneth Branagh, Rami Malek and so many more. You’ve seen them here earlier on the red carpet.

“Unfortunately, they are off to write their picket signs for what we believe to be an imminent strike by SAG, joining one of my guilds, the Writers Guild, in the struggle for fair wages for working members of their union.”

In a news conference announcing the strike, SAG-AFTRA executive director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland described the action as a “last resort” and said it had come after four weeks of talks.

He accused industry body the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) of “devaluing the work of our members” and said it had been “unwilling to offer a fair deal on key issues essential to protecting the livelihoods of working actors and performers”.

“Actors deserve a contract that reflects the changes that have taken place in the industry,” he added.

SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher added: “This is a moment of history that is a moment of truth…

“The jig is up AMPTP, we stand tall, you need to wake up and smell the coffee. You cannot exist without us.”

The union – which represents 160,000 performers – had earlier voted unanimously to recommend a strike after negotiations with Hollywood studios failed to reach an agreement.

Two of the actors’ big demands are higher pay and safeguards against unauthorised use of their images through AI.

The streaming boom – which provides the bulk of TV actors’ work – is also a big factor in contract negotiations.

Writers who are members of the WGA have already been striking for two months, seeking higher minimum pay, more writers per show and less exclusivity on single projects.

Two sides very far apart and long summer could be in store

Writers have been treading the pavements with picket signs outside the Netflix building in Hollywood for two months now.

The midday sun is punishing but they march in unison, cheering every time a passing motorist beeps their horn in support.

A huge cheer erupts as they hear news that the actors who bring their words to life would soon be joining them. They know this makes their strike action so much more powerful.

Production had been limping along in a small number of shows and films which were already written. This dual strike, the first for 63 years, means the entertainment industry will grind to a complete halt almost immediately. Without writers and actors, very little can be achieved.

It heaps pressure on the production studios and streaming giants to reach a resolution. But after 70 days, the writers are yet to get back around the negotiating table.

Their grievances are very similar to those the actors have. The two sides seem very far apart and a long and harsh summer could be in store.

Productions hit by the writers’ strike include season five of Stranger Things, season two of The Last Of Us, season six of The Handmaid’s Tale and Game Of Thrones spinoff A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight.

The decision for performers to join them on strike means Hollywood is likely to come to a virtual standstill – with many predicting an autumn TV schedule full of reality TV as a result.

AMPTP – which represents the likes of Netflix, Disney and other studios – said it was “deeply disappointed” by the union’s decision.

It added: “This is the union’s choice, not ours.

“In doing so, it has dismissed our offer of historic pay and residual increases, substantially higher caps on pension and health contributions, audition protections, shortened series option periods, a groundbreaking AI proposal that protects actors’ digital likenesses, and more.”

Equity, the British actors’ union, said in a statement on Thursday that it “stands full square behind our sister union in their claim, and the action their Board have agreed to take”.

While the US actors’ strike will not directly affect those working in the UK, it is thought that British performers who are members of SAG-AFTRA and working in the US will lawfully be allowed to take part.