Actors in Hollywood are on strike as of now. The cast of Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer is sending a clear message by walking out of the London premiere.
For several months it has been announced, now it is official: all members of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA) union are on strike. The effects are already being felt: at yesterday’s premiere of Oppenheimer in London, the cast did not show up at the cinema.
Although Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Matt Damon and Robert Downey Jr. walked the red carpet moments before, they left the event just in time for the strike to begin. Director Christopher Nolan presented his new work alone to the premiere audience. In his speech, he expressed his solidarity with the striking actors and actresses.
Christopher Nolan sides with the strikers at the Oppenheimer premiere
For the first time in 63 years, both screenwriters and actors are on strike in Hollywood. This combination could cripple the entire industry. The dream factory faces an uncertain future. Nolan expresses his full support for the SAG members and his cast.
“I have to acknowledge the work of our incredible cast, led by Cillian Murphy. The list is long – Robert Downey Jr, Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Florence Pugh, Kenneth Branagh, Rami Malek and many more. You saw them on the red carpet earlier. Now they are off to write their strike signs […] and join one of my guilds, the Writers Guild, in the fight for fair wages for working members of their union. “
You can watch Nolan’s speech at the Oppenheimer premiere below.
Christopher Nolan says the cast of Oppenheimer left the premiere to ‘go and write their pickets’ and join the strike pic.twitter.com/rc2SaSxcfk
– Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) July 13, 2023
Also at a later Oppenheimer screening last night, Nolan appeared before the audience to stress the importance of the strike.
Christopher Nolan introduces a second premiere screening of Oppenheimer in London and repeats his cast’s support for the SAG strike. He received a round of applause from the audience that included directors Alfonso Cuaron, Mike Newall, artist-filmmaker Tacita Dean and several… pic.twitter.com/FoYxJA7dhB
– Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) July 13, 2023
Support from big names in the industry is important and sends a clear message. Nolan is deliberately using the premiere of his 180 million US dollar blockbuster to shine a light on the ills of Hollywood.
