So long celebs, it was nice knowing you
- SAG-AFTRA union has released strike rules that prohibit actors from promoting any new movies or TV shows.
- According to the rules, actors cannot attend premieres, interviews, award shows, or conventions.
Most of your favorite actors will not be promoting their movies or upcoming TV shows in interviews, at premieres, or via festival panels after the SAG-AFTRA went on strike Thursday.
SAG-AFTRA, a union representing Hollywood actors, joined the writers' strike that has been underway since May 2 over a number of issues including higher pay and protections from the use of AI in Hollywood.
The union has released strict rules that affect what actors, including voice actors, can and cannot do during the strike.
This, of course, means actors are prohibited from performing, which has led to the shutdown of all Hollywood productions. But the rules also apply to all promotional activity, meaning actors cannot do interviews with journalists, podcast interviews, talk show appearances, conventions, award shows, film festivals, and even premieres.
Breaking the rules can lead to punishments such as censure, reprimands, fines, suspension, and/or expulsion from SAG-AFTRA.
This means the "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer" European premieres in London earlier this week are likely to be the last press tours in which actors could participate until the end of the strike.
In fact, the cast of "Oppenheimer" left halfway through their premiere Thursday once the strike announcement had been made.
Variety reported that the event had been moved up to account for the potential strike announcement, but by the time the movie was screened, director Christopher Nolan confirmed to the audience that the cast had left, according to a video shared by Deadline.
"I have to acknowledge the work of our incredible cast, led by Cillian Murphy," Nolan said while introducing the movie onstage at the premiere. "The list is enormous — Robert Downey Jr., Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Florence Pugh, Kenneth Branagh, Rami Malek, and so many more... You've seen them here earlier on the red carpet."
He continued: "Unfortunately, they are off to write their picket signs for what we believe to be an imminent strike by SAG, joining one of my guilds, the Writers Guild, in the struggle for fair wages for working members of their union."
Damon had already told Variety on the film's red carpet that the cast would leave if the strike gets called.
"Look, if it's called now, everyone's going to walk obviously in solidarity... Once the strike is officially called, [we're walking]," he told Variety.
According to Vanity Fair, the guild released some exceptions to these rules. Actors are allowed to appear at events like Comic-Con if they aren't promoting a current project. They can also appear in charity events and receive lifetime achievement awards as long as they are not photographed with a corporate logo on the red carpet.
SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher announced the board's decision to strike at a press conference Thursday afternoon after negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers failed.
"SAG-AFTRA negotiated in good faith and was eager to reach a deal that sufficiently addressed performer needs, but the AMPTP's responses to the union's most important proposals have been insulting and disrespectful of our massive contributions to this industry," Drescher said.