Hollywood’s Lights Dim as Actors’ Strike Halts Production of Major Blockbusters

The situation tenses in Hollywood as the actors’ strike begins. Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) strike commenced two months after the writers’ strike, which staggered the TV business, and deferred numerous projects.

As it goes without saying, the actors’ strike led to a halt in the production of multiple upcoming movies, which can lead to delays in the releases.

Some of the most awaited upcoming movies in 2024 are now having a pause, and that list includes Marvel’s ‘Deadpool 3’, Ridley Scott’s ‘Gladiator 2’ and Tom Cruise’s ‘Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part Two’ among others.

The Hollywood Reporter mentioned that the only section which can potentially continue working is animation, specifically, the projects set to be released in 2025 and after.

However, the animated movies set for the 2024 release might have some part left in the production, like actors being required to record final dialogues.

Animated movies that are scheduled for release in the upcoming year include ‘Kung Fu Panda 4’ on March 8, 2024, ‘Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse’ on March 29, 2024, ‘Despicable Me 4’ on July 3, 2024, and ‘Transformers One’ on September 1, 2024.

On July 14, 2023, the actors’ strike was declared by the U.S. actors’ union SAG-AFTRA following the negotiation breakdowns with the AMPTP (Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers), which represents the studio authorities.

SAG-AFTRA has about 160,000 members, including actors in film and TV shows, video game performers, radio presenters, models, and YouTube influencers. Even though the union only includes the U.S., its Global Rule One urged that members protest and withdraw from any production anywhere across the globe.