13 July 2023 , 19:51
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Hollywood actors have voted to join writers in striking after a unanimous decision was reached.
For the first time in 60 years, both the Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA are striking together.
The historic vote comes fresh on the heels of the Oppenheimer cast exiting the UK premiere early in solidarity with the union.
The actors left early to "go and write their picket signs" for the strike, according to director Christopher Nolan. This included lead actors Cillian Murphy, Florence Pugh, Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, and Rami Malek.
Earlier today, SAG-AFTRA president, Fran Drescher and the National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland announced the board voted unanimously to strike.
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Notable members of the national board include Drescher, who rose to prominence on the show The Nanny, Sean Astin, Jennifer Beals, Yvette Nicole Brown, Brad Garrett, Elliott Gould, Dule Hill, Rosie O'Donnell, Michael Rapaport, and Sharon Stone.
The union was unable to reach a deal so the actors are joining the Writers Guild of America on strike (Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)"The gig is up," Drescher addressed the AMPTP, the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, after being unable to reach a deal with them.
"They plead poverty, that they’re losing money left and right, when giving hundreds of millions of dollars to their CEOs. It is disgusting — shame on them," she added.
Do you support the actors’ strike? Vote in our poll HERE to have your say.
The strike comes after almost a month of deliberations between the union and producers.
Back in May, the Writers Guild of America was also unable to reach a deal, leading to their strike. Since then, no scripted shows have been worked on and late-night television has ceased filming.
The premiere of Oppenheimer took place during deliberations, with rumours that the actors' union was set to strike.
The cast of Oppenheimer left the UK premiere early in solidarity with SAG-AFTRA (John Salangsang/REX/Shutterstock)Actor Matt Damon addressed the strike while on the red carpet, stating: "Once the strike is officially called, [we’re walking]. That’s why we moved this [red carpet] up because we know the second it’s called, we’re going home.”
Also speaking on the red carpet, Emily Blunt agreed that she would stand in solidarity with her fellow actors. "We’re going to be going home and standing together through it because I want everyone to get a fair deal," she said defiantly.
The Oppenheimer cast isn't the only premiere affected by the strike. Matthew Modine took the decision to cancel the world premiere of his film The Martini Shot at Galway Film Fleadh,
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Addressing his decision, he stated: “Tonight was supposed to be our world premiere, a celebration thwarted by unforeseen circumstances. But sometimes, sacrifices must be made on the path to victory.”