Hollywood actors officially went on strike on Thursday after US union SAG-AFTRA voted unanimously to walk out, following weeks of unsuccessful negotiations.
The move comes months after the Writers Guild of America (WGA) began their strike and with Sag members now following suit, production on some of 2023 and 2024’s most anticipated TV shows and films could be catastrophically impacted.
The strike initially began after an agreement was not reached over better pay for actors and increased safeguarding around artificial intelligence (AI) rights.
The cast of Oppenheimer walked out of the London premiere in solidarity following the strike announcement
/ Gareth Cattermole/Getty ImagesFollowing 12 days of heated negotiations, Sag, which represents 160,000 television and movie actors, instructed their members to cease and desist from any of their current work-related obligations.
Members of the union have now already been seen on picket lines at all the major studios, in what is the first dual strike of the WGA and SAG since 1960.
Despite both having major Hollywood releases out next week, Margot Robbie and Matt Damon, who star in the Barbie movie and Oppenheimer respectively, are among those voicing their support.
Ahead of the Oppenheimer premiere in London, Damon confirmed that the cast, which also includes Florence Pugh, Cillian Murphy, and Emily Blunt, would walk out in solidarity.
Margot Robbie confirmed that she is a SAG member and would be supporting strike action
/ PA WireSpeaking on the red carpet, the actor told Variety: “Look, if it’s called now, everyone’s going to walk obviously in solidarity.
“Once the strike is officially called, [we’re walking]. That’s why we moved this [red carpet] up because we know the second it’s called, we’re going home.”
He added that the strike is about supporting ‘working actors’ as many struggle to qualify for health coverage, which is $26,000 (£19.8k).
“A lot of people are on the margins and residual payments are getting them across that threshold. This isn’t an academic exercise. This is real life and death stuff,” he urged.
“Hopefully we get to a resolution quickly. No one wants a work stoppage, but we’ve got to get a fair deal.”
Australian native Robbie meanwhile told Sky News at the Barbie premiere on Wednesday that she is a SAG member and would “absolutely stand by” a strike.
Jamie Lynn Spears has shared her support for the strike online
/ Instagram @jamielynnspearsElsewhere, Halloween actress Curtis posted her support on social media, as did Britney Spears’ younger sister Jamie Lynn Spears, whose ZOEY 101 spin-off movie Zoey 102 is due for release on July 27 and under the rules of the strike, can do nothing further to promote it.