The SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes affect the entertainment industry and audiences alike. Hollywood and the entire industry are at a standstill. Until the unions have secured their contracts, almost every performer and writer is on striking against major studios together for the first time in 63 years.
Both unions’ requests are reasonable. They want higher wages and higher royalties. Additionally, they want guarantees about how the industry will use artificial intelligence (AI). Furthermore, they requested larger contributions to their pension and health plans.
On May 2, 2023, 11,500 Writers Guild of America (WGA) members went on strike over their labor dispute with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). The Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists joined them on July 14.
Films Affected by the Strikes
“Dune: Part Two” is one of 2023’s most highly anticipated films. However, Warner Bros may postpone its November third release to an undisclosed date in 2024. The strikes affect this movie even though the filming has ended because striking actors and writers cannot promote their projects.
Several sources report the postponement is only a rumor. However, the film’s panel canceled its scheduled appearance at San Diego Comic-Con. Their last-minute cancellation could signal to audiences that postponement is likely.
Here is a short list of notable and high-profile American productions:
- “Challenger,” an MGM/Amazon film starring Zendaya and Josh O’Connor, will be delayed until April 2023.
- “Beetlejuice 2” with Micheal Keaton, Catherine O’Hara, Winona Ryder, and Jenna Ortega stopped production, so its September 6, 2024 release may be postponed.
- The yet to be titled next Venom film is expected to be in theaters in October 2024, depending on how long the strikes continue.
- “Mission Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part Two” halted production when the WGA strike started. Writer-director Christopher McQuarrie said Part 2 was only about 40% complete then.
- “Deadpool 3,” “Gladiator 2,” and “The Amateur” round out the truncated list of films affected by the strikes.
Weekly and Daily Programming
Since the WGA started its walkout, late-night talk shows and TV series have been on a long-term hiatus.
According to Euro News, “series like “The Last of Us,” “American Horror Story,” “Big Mouth,” “Stranger Things,” and “Severance And Daredevil: Born Again” have all stopped mid-production.
Additional programming on hold includes “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver,” “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” “Late Night with Seth Meyers, and others.
It is impossible to determine when the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes will end. They hope to return soon and ask their audiences for their patience.
Written by Cathy Milne-Ware
Sources:
Euro News: How will viewers be affected by the continuing Hollywood strikes? By David Mouriquand
The Washington Post: The Hollywood strike: Everything we know and are working to find out; By Avi Selk
The Daily Beast: All the Movies Officially Delayed by the Hollywood Strikes; By Kyndall Cunningham
Featured and Top Image by Gordon Taylor Courtesy of Pixabay – Creative Commons License
First Inset Image by Brecht Bug Courtesy of Flickr – Creative Commons License
Second Inset Image by Brecht Bug Courtesy of Flickr – Creative Commons License
