For the first time in over six decades, both the Screen Actors Guild and the Writers Guild of America have taken to the streets with picket signs. If you’re not up-to-date, check out the timeline for a refresher. Writers initiated their strike on May 2. Then, on July 13, Screen Actors Guild President and television legend Fran Drescher confirmed that actors would join the writers in their labor action, starting at midnight on July 14. This unprecedented collective action comes as tension rises between studios and unions over issues like fair wages, self-tape auditions, AI-generated roles, and more, which is majorly messing with the movie release schedule. And it’s a gigantic bummer.
So, what's the impact on us, the viewers? In simple terms, actors are out of roles, writers have put down their pens, and movie sets are gathering dust. Many movies slated for the 2023 movie release schedule and 2024 movies are already delayed, including the much-anticipated Dune Part 2. While there's talk that Gladiator 2 might keep filming using body doubles and extras, most film projects have hit the pause button. This holdup affects more than just high-profile films like Deadpool 3; many other projects also feel the pain. Let's dig deeper.
