SAG-AFTRA Officially Goes On Strike: 'Wicked,' 'Barbie' Affected By Hollywood Walkout?

Months after the Writers Guild of America (WGA) hold their pencils down, their brothers and sisters from the SAG-AFTRA officially join suit against the AMPTP in asking for a fair contract from film and television studios like Hulu, HBO, Disney, and Paramount, among many others.

This was the first time in 43 years that the SAG-AFTRA has called for a strike since 1980, and it would be the first in 60 years that the WGA and SAG-AFTRA have joined forces in a strike.

Because of the SAG-AFTRA Strike, several finished and ongoing productions will be put on hold.

What is the SAG-AFTRA Strike?

Coincidentally, the day before the SAG-AFTRA voted unanimously to launch the guild's first strike, they celebrated their 90th founding anniversary. To put it simply, the AMPTP, which represents the production studios, did not want to honor the Guild's negotiation for a fair contract in the age of streaming and artificial intelligence.

"The AMPTP's responses to the union's most important proposals have been insulting and disrespectful of our massive contributions to this industry. The companies have refused to meaningfully engage on some topics and on others completely stonewalled us. Until they do negotiate in good faith, we cannot begin to reach a deal," SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher said in a statement.

Until a contract has been waged between the SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP the actors member of the guild shall stop working on their respective productions, in solidarity with the guild.

How Would SAG-AFTRA Strike Affect 'Wicked,' 'Barbie'?

Given the fact that SAG-AFTRA has officially called a strike, actors in their own discretion and solidarity with the Guild, shall stop working on their respective productions.

In the case of "Barbie," which is already days away from its theatrical release, the promotional tours for the show will be officially canceled and Europe's press tour would have been the last. Supposedly, a New York and Berlin "Barbie" press tour is on the way, but because of the strike, they won't materialize any longer.

I'm very much in support of all of the unions," Margot Robbie told SkyNews in an interview, confirming that she would walkout in solidarity with the strike. "And I'm a part of SAG so I would absolutely stand by that."

Meanwhile, Deadline also reported that "Wicked," which stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, among many other stars, will also be impacted by the SAG-AFTRA Strike.

Even though it is an overseas production, all Guild members are still bounded by their membership of the Guild. Cynthia Erivo who plays Elphaba and cast member Bowen Yang have expressed solidarity with the guild.

Tags

SAG, Screen Actors Guild, Barbie, Wicked