Hollywood film and television productions have been on hold since the actors’ union SAG-AFTRA went on strike in July 2023, two months after a similar movement by the Writers Guild of America, the union representing writers and screenwriters in the United States.
The streaming model has disrupted the “residual” payments for actors and writers, which come from each rerun of a film or series, allowing them to sustain themselves between projects. Calculated based on television advertising rates, these payments are significantly lower with streaming platforms, which do not disclose their audience figures and pay a flat fee regardless of success.
Both professions were demanding a revaluation of their compensation and also sought guarantees regarding the use of artificial intelligence, aiming to prevent it from generating scripts or cloning the voices or images of actors.
In late September 2023, an agreement was reached between the studios and the Writers Guild of America. On November 9, 2023, after 118 days of strike, the SAG-AFTRA union, representing 160,000 actors, stunt performers, dancers, and other professionals from the small and big screens, announced that actors would resume work. The union secured salary increases and protection against artificial intelligence.
This strike has delayed the production of numerous films and series, consequently affecting their releases in theaters, streaming, or on television. Award ceremonies are also affected, such as the postponed Emmy Awards.
The following series and films have experienced interrupted filming or delayed releases:
- The Last of Us – Season 2
- Euphoria – Season 3
- The White Lotus – Season 3
- Gladiator 2
- Mission Impossible : Dead Reckoning Part 2
- Mortal Kombat 2
- Dune – Part 2
