You can’t have a movie without actors, and you don’t have actors if they are on strike.  That is exactly what happened in Hollywood today as SAG/AFTRA, an organization that represents both the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, went on strike.

Despite ongoing attempts for several weeks to reach a new contractual agreement, both parties were unable to find a mutually agreeable path forward. Among the major contentions is the use of AI technology.

If you haven’t seen the latest season of Black Mirror on Netflix we suggest you watch the episode Joan is Awful. In that episode (spoilers ahead) Salma Hayeck is blind-cast in a streaming show. You see her AI likeness is being used supposedly without her permission and there is nothing she can do about it except destroy the server that holds that file. She didn’t read the fine print in her contract.

What is scary is that big studios, in order to save a few dollars, want to do exactly that. Scan an actor’s likeness for a fee, then use that likeness however they want and not pay the actor a cent afterward.  And consider this, what if studios replace background actors with AI? That’s a whole sector of the entertainment business out of a job.

There are other aspects of the dispute, but the AI controversy is definitely worth noting.

No More Movies

But what does the strike mean for us? It means that any production currently being shot will have to shut down because the actors will not show up for work in solidarity with the union.  And if you think about it, the writer’s strike has already made a dent in not creating any new content. Put that together with the actor’s strike; which may last for months, then you can see the domino effect. We thought COVID killed the cinema, but it may be the strike that followed a few years later.

Actor and SAG-AFTRA leader Fran Drescher said the actors have negotiated in good faith, “but the AMPTP’s (Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers) 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.”

No Promo

What it also means is that actors won’t show up to promotional screenings, interviews, and/or other appearances until the matter is resolved. But if studios already have promotional appearances in the can they can still use those. Hopefully, they put a disclaimer that the session was recorded before the strike.

What Can You Do to Support The Actors?

This is a tough one. To be honest it might be too tough. If you support the actors then you can’t watch any upcoming movies. That’s right! Movies like Barbie and Oppenheimer should be crossed off of your list on principle, at least until the negotiations are finalized. You might even want to dig your heels in further and skip Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part 1 and Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny for now. But we know these movies are highly-anticipated so let your conscious be your guide.

But why can’t I watch these movies, they were made before the strike. The theory here is that if these big-budget movies don’t bring in the cash stacks next weekend, it sends a message to studios and they are more likely to give in to demands. But it also hurts the actor’s pocketbooks. It is a tricky situation.

How to Still Enjoy Movies and Series During the Strike?

Thankfully there are free streaming services out there such as Tubi with plenty of retro content, including a very long list of horror movies. Remember, if you support the actors, you want to send a message to the studios and there is no better way to do that than their wallets. If the studios lose money because you are not purchasing their content, they are more likely to cave to the actor’s demands.

Movies in Production That Might Shut Down

Beetlejuice 2: We were just seeing images of Tim Burton directing Wynona Ryder on the set of Beetlejuice 2. That production will shut down.

Deadpool 3: It feels like just yesterday we saw Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman in their Deadpool 3 costumes. Hold on to that memory until further notice.

Twisters: This movie is currently in production, but most likely will have to close down.

Thanksgiving: Eli Roth’s return to the big screen may be delayed until the strike is over.

Saw X: Jigsaw is not going to be happy.

Blade: Scheduled for a 2025 release, but it is in production.

Crystal Lake:  The prequel to the first Friday the 13th film set for Peacock is being put on hold until the strike comes to an end and an agreement.

Movies Being Made Abroad

Movies being made abroad with all British actors are probably not affected.

However, movies made abroad with American actors, those actors will have to be replaced which may cause a damper on the shooting schedule.  These films include Alien: Romulus and Wicked.

What Else?

If the above wasn’t doomsday enough for you, consider that San Diego Comic-Con is taking a hit too as SAG-AFTRA actors are forbidden to attend. They are also not allowed to attend any award shows such as the Emmys coming up in September.

Hopefully, this strike won’t last as long as they are forecasting and we can all get back to enjoying watching movies knowing that the actor’s contracts are in good standing.