Last year, the SAG-AFTRA strike caused significant disruptions in Hollywood, with one notable incident occurring at the premiere of the film Oppenheimer. Following the strike announcement, the cast of the movie, which included well-known actors such as Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, and Robert Downey Jr., walked out of the event, leaving director Christopher Nolan to address their sudden absence.
Subsequently, the leads of Oppenheimer broke their silence on the events that followed the walkout. They revealed that they went to a local bar, Odeon Luxe in Leicester Square, London, where they engaged in a lengthy drinking session as a show of solidarity. The actors shared this anecdote during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! this week.
The walkout at the Oppenheimer premiere was just one of many demonstrations of unity among actors in Hollywood as the strike commenced. The trio of Murphy, Blunt, and Downey Jr. recounted the aftermath of their walkout, with Murphy humorously mentioning his immediate visit to the bar 'in true Irish fashion.' Blunt added that they all went to the bar in solidarity and stayed until 4 a.m., jokingly attributing their late-night gathering to the relief of not having to promote Oppenheimer in the following days.
Oppenheimer, directed by Christopher Nolan, went on to become one of the standout films of 2023, propelled by the 'Barbenheimer' phenomenon that emerged from the bar incident. The movie garnered critical acclaim and commercial success, becoming the highest-grossing biopic of all time and solidifying Nolan's reputation with one of his most successful projects to date.
The Oppenheimer walkout served as an early indication of the impact of the strike on Hollywood, leading to widespread production shutdowns and star participation in union demands. Despite some skepticism regarding the involvement of high-paid actors in the strike, the display of solidarity, even among the industry's biggest names, underscored the unity within the entertainment sector during a tumultuous period marked by the concurrent WGA strike.
As Oppenheimer continued to receive accolades, including wins at prestigious award ceremonies like the Golden Globes, BAFTAs, and the SAG Awards, the film's success remained undeniable. The recent SAG Awards saw another victory for Downey Jr., further solidifying the film's position as a frontrunner for multiple Oscars at the upcoming 96th Academy Awards.
