In the wake of the looming “Screenwriters’ Strike”, the American film industry may face a collapse, postponing potential blockbuster releases for the second half of the year.
A Clash Bringing Back Memories of the ’80s Strike Era
The recent announcement of a general strike by the Screen Actors Guild‐American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) marks a milestone. The failure of negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), the organization that champions the interests of film and TV studios, has led the American film and TV industry to its first strike since the ’80s and the first joint strike with the Screenwriters Guild in nearly six decades.
A Silent Curtain Falls: 160,000 Actors on Strike
Starting from 3:00 am local time on the 13th, up to 160,000 actors are expected to refrain from filming any film or TV production, as well as attending press conferences and film premieres, plunging the industry into an unprecedented halt.
Industry Titans Voice Their Opinions
The strike has sparked responses from the highest echelons of the industry. Among them, Bob Iger, CEO of Disney Legend, questions the viability of the recent Marvel Universe releases. He argues that the growing presence of their films on streaming platforms has split audience attention, generating a harmful side effect for box office performance. Despite his concern, as a movie lover, Iger expresses his hope that a solution will soon be found to mitigate the adverse impact on future film releases.