Industry chief: US actors’ strike could cause minor disruption at UK cinemas

This was stated by the executive director of the Association of Film Artists of Great Britain Hollywood The actors’ strike may cause “minor disruption” at British cinemas, but it is likely that some films will be without talent at their UK premieres until the dispute is resolved.

Phil Clapp told the Pennsylvania news agency that unless the Sag-Aftra strike that began Friday is not “protracted,” disruption will be minimal for the “foreseeable future.” “.

On Thursday, Robert Downey Jr. Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt and Florence Pugh were among the stars who staged the London premiere of the historical epic Oppenheimer because of the strike.

Mr Clapp told the PA news agency: “While it is clear that everyone has to make up their own mind, perhaps until the dispute is resolved we will see some premiers not being supported by ‘talent’ in front or behind.” camera”.

He added: “In terms of UK cinema attendance, given the challenges that UK cinema operators have faced over the last few years, everyone will be concerned about anything that could potentially threaten the delivery of films to the big screen, and so hopefully it will be quick fix.”

Mr Clapp said there was already a “strong slate” of films lined up for the coming weeks, including Mission: Impossible – Fallout: Part One and Barbie, as well as Oppenheimer.

“Unless the current strike is prolonged, we are confident that cinemas will see little or no disruption for the foreseeable future,” he said.

Among the productions in the UK that could be affected by the strike is the shooting of the movie “Deadpool 3” with Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman.

The second series of House of the Dragon with Matt Smith and Emma D’Arcy could also be affected, as well as the second series of The Sandman with Tom Sturridge and the fourth series of Slow Horse with Oscar winner Gary Oldman.

The general secretary of Britain’s performing arts and entertainment trade union Equity said the impact on the production could depend on whether an actor signed an Equity or Sag-Aftra contract.

The union, which represents more than 47,000 performers in the UK, says it stands in solidarity with American actors who are on strike in a dispute with Hollywood studios.

Paul Fleming told PA: “So a Sag-Aftra member or an equity member working on an equity contract is not on strike because it is not a contested contract.

“Where it gets a little more complicated is that there are some Sag-Aftra members around the world who work on Sag-Aftra contracts alongside others who do equity contracts.

“So imagine something that’s being filmed in multiple locations, for example, and (an actor) might be on a full American contract, their situation is more ambiguous and more complicated.”

He said if the dispute went ahead it would have a “huge impact” as British actors working on US contracts are currently on strike.

Mr Fleming said: “The vast majority of shows that are recorded mainly in the UK or in Europe are under our agreements, so that’s the bottom line, but some will stop.”

Equity – unsurprisingly – has told US companies it will be “watching very closely” any attempts to move production to the UK, with the action set for Thursday night.

Mr Fleming told the PA that he was “hopeful” that a settlement with (Sag-Aftra) members would be reached soon.

He said: “Whatever happens with the British contract, we look forward to negotiations next year.

“The only exception is if there is production from the United States that is trying to avoid the protests by moving to the UK – we are watching them very, very closely.”

Mr Fleming added that Hollywood studios, production companies and streamers would not “win” as the actors’ determination was “absolute”.

He said: “In our view, we have complete and total solidarity and support with Sag-Aftra.

“We will do everything in our legal power to support and defend their industrial action, and the message to the manufacturers here is: get your house in order, get to the table quickly, before this affects the global industry.” .

The actors’ strike comes amid ongoing mass protests by more than 11,000 members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA), which began mass action on May 2.