SAG-AFTRA Strike Ends: 'Wicked' Returning To Complete Last 10 Days of Filming

The Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) has officially ended its historic strike against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).

With this, several film and television productions can now resume, including those that were interrupted when the strike was announced.

SAG-AFTRA Strike Ends

The SAG-AFTRA has reached a tentative agreement that ended the longest actor's strike in Hollywood. Last Nov. 8, 2023, the negotiating committee announced that the 118-day strike officially ended at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023. (via Variety)

"We have arrived at a contract that will enable SAG-AFTRA members from every category to build sustainable careers," the union said in an email sent to its members. "Many thousands of performers now and into the future will benefit from this work."

Among the new additions to the amended deal were the first-ever protections for actors against artificial intelligence, a streaming participation bonus, and a historic pay increase.

When the contract was officially accepted, negotiating committee members described the moment as "emotional" and "historic."

"The final vote was unanimous. That's a difficult thing to accomplish," Kevin West, a committee member, said in a statement. "It's honestly been a really long two weeks."

The SAG-AFTRA Strike started last Jul. 14, 2023.

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Movie Musicals Return To Filming As SAG-AFTRA Strike Ends

Perhaps the biggest win for the viewing public was the resumption of production of many movies and television shows that were interrupted at the time the strike was announced last summer.

Among those was the "Wicked" movie. In an interview, composer Stephen Schwartz revealed that the production has ten days left before wrapping up.

"It's quite frustrating in a way because we have, I think, 10 days worth of shooting to go finish all the shooting for both movies...But on the other hand, I might as well declare it, I'm in great sympathy and support of the unions that are striking," Schwartz revealed.

"Wicked" Director Jon M. Chu also tweeted about the work stoppage at the time.

"Not done yet. Just paused until the strike is over and we can finish the last pieces of the movie. We were only a few days away from being done so we were SO close. It's been very painful to put a halt to it all but we will be back! And we will finish properly strong when the time is right," he assured the fans.

Fast forward to now, Chu tweeted about the lifting of the Hollywood strike, saying "Let's get back to work!!!!" - denoting that they are going back to resume the last 10 days of production.

"Wicked (Part 1)" is expected to be released on Nov. 27, 2024.

READ ALSO: Reneé Rapp, Lizzy McAlpine 'Wicked' Duet Sent NYC Flying - Watch

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SAG, Wicked