Hollywood actors join writers’ strike

The Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Pictures and Television Producers have been on strike for several weeks. 

Negotiations to date have been unsuccessful, and further negotiations are not expected to resume until fall 2023. 

Last Friday, for the first time in 63 years, numerous Hollywood actors have now joined the strike. 

According to negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, the board of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA) actors' union voted unanimously in favor on Thursday. 

Actors are demanding better pay and working conditions from streaming services, as well as a commitment that artificial intelligence and computer-generated faces and voices will not be used to replace actors. 

Direct effects of the strike were seen at the premiere of the long-awaited film "Oppenheimer" in London. 

After their red carpet appearances, lead actors Cillian Murphy and Emily Blunt, along with their co-stars Matt Damon and Florence Pugh, walked out of the event before the film even began. 

The extended strike, joined by numerous actors including Susan Sarandon and Jamie Lee-Curtis, will increase pressure on the media industry. 

"We're in an old contract for a new type of business and it’s just not working for most people," actor Susan Sarandon said outside Warner Bros Discovery (WBD.O) offices in New York.

In addition to impacting streaming services and the movie industry, widespread effects of the strike can also be applied to the toy industry. 

Particularly in the licensing sector, the strike is causing uncertain planning for production of toys and items based on movie characters and storylines. 

Sales forecasts and production plans are based on timelines agreed before the strike, but whether these can now be met is often questionable. 

An early agreement between the parties is in the interest of all, including numerous industries that are or will be affected more broadly.  

Sources: reuters.com // www.filmdienst.de // cmk.faz.net // globaltoynews.com