‘Wicked’ Movie Officially Shuts Down Production Following SAG-AFTRA Strike

"Wicked" is perhaps the most anticipated movie musical in the next coming years. The production of the movie adaptation of the Tony-winning musical has been awaited by many of its fans all over the world.

While many of the scenes seemed to have already been shot, the production's set on England was reported to have looked like a ghost town because of how it was empty because of the absence of many.

'Wicked' Movie Stops Production

When the Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists called for a strike earlier this week, several productions in television and film halted. Even the "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer" press tours were interrupted.

Fans have grown concerned whether the strike would also affect ongoing movie productions. Sadly, it would - which means that locally and internationally, productions with SAG-AFTRA members are temporarily halted for the time being in solidarity with the strike.

Broadway World officially confirmed that the "Wicked" Movie production in England has officially shut down for the time being. It was reported that the production is days away from completing the filming of the entire "Wicked" Part 1, which left "One Short Day" as the last scene to shoot.

The film's principal leads, Cynthia Erivo, who plays Elphaba, and Ariana Grande, who plays Glinda, have expressed solidarity with the strike on their Instagram accounts. Bowen Yang, who is a member of the Writers Guild of America and the SAG-AFTRA also showed support.

Notably, this is the first time in 60 years that the WGA and the SAG-AFTRA are on strike together.

SAG and Oscar Award-winning actress Michelle Yeoh, who is playing Madame Morrible in the film, also expressed solidarity on the strike.

According to the outlet, Universal has yet to respond to them for a comment on the show's production interruption.

What is the SAG-AFTRA Strike?

On Jul. 13, 2023, the SAG-AFTRA unanimously voted to go on strike against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) after the two parties failed to strike up a fair contract.

"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.

Tags

Wicked, SAG