Talks between the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers and SAG-AFTRA have broken down, and as of last night, the union has voted for a strike. This will be the first time a dual strike by the WGA and SAG-AFTRA has occurred since 1960.
The writer's strike has been going on for three months, and the entertainment industry is already feeling the effects, not only here in the States, but around the world as well. The U.K. has seen a slowing of production in the past few months and hasn't gone unnoticed by British union executives.
"We've always said if the circus leaves town what sorts of indigenous production do we have? Large parts of Europe and Australia will be in the same situation, and this will have a global impact. We have been relying on inward investment and this exposes a weak point," said one executive under anonymity.
An executive at a European production company said, "Let's say we're shooting something with a big European director in Europe, and 90% of the cast is European and non-SAG-AFTRA, but you have two key roles played by U.S. talent. Will the movie stop and not get done or will those roles be substituted with European non-SAG-AFTRA actors? I suspect what will happen is it will depend on the talent. If the reception is, ‘This is going to be a quick strike,' directors will say, ‘Let's wait.' But if it looks like a long one, it could mean those roles will be changed."
Some productions went on the offense, making sure they completed certain parts before the strike, such as Roland Emmerich's gladiator series "Those About to Die". It's said that Anthony Hopkins finished all of his scenes a few weeks ago just in case.
Two international films that will feel the punch are "Mortal Kombat 2" and the Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal-led "Gladiator 2", as well as the Sky and Peacock series "The Day of the Jackal," starring Eddie Redmayne and Lashana Lynch, all filming overseas in Morocco, Australia, and Central and Eastern Europe.
A spokesperson for Australia's Media Entertainment & Arts Alliance showed support for SAG-AFTRA, saying "As a sister union, MEAA stands in solidarity with SAG-AFTRA and will continue to work with SAG-AFTRA to determine the appropriate steps needed on any productions in Australia that are impacted by industrial action if it occurs in the U.S."
