Hollywood may soon be back in business.
SAG-AFTRA has reached a tentative deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). If ratified, the new contract would end the actors union’s historic 118-day strike.
“We’re set up to go six months if we have to,” SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher said when the strike began on July 14, and while it didn’t reach that point, the work stoppage did last longer than expected. People on all sides of the entertainment industry felt hopeful that the AMPTP would reach common ground with the actors after the Sept. 26 end of the 148-day Writers Guild of America strike thanks to a deal the WGA negotiating committee called “exceptional.”
And while that deal did make room for SAG-AFTRA to begin negotiating again on Oct. 2, by Oct. 11, those talks had fallen apart, with the union alleging “bully tactics” on the studios’ part, while the studios said the divide between the parties was “too great.”
As the strike approached 100 days, A-list actors like George Clooney pressured Drescher and SAG-AFTRA leadership to reach a deal, even putting forth a (rejected) proposal of their own to increase dues and decrease residuals for the top-earners in order to make up for some of the money the studios were refusing to pay. But the studios did finally invite the guild back to the bargaining table on Oct. 24 with a new offer. By Nov. 4, they had delivered their “last, best and final offer” — which was deliberated on for four more days.
On Nov. 8, Disney CEO Bob Iger and Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav expressed optimism that the strike would end soon on their companies’ respective earnings calls. Later that day, the two parties finally reached a tentative agreement, causing wide celebration throughout the business as SAG-AFTRA members wait to vote on and likely ratify their new contract.
“Woo hooo!!!! Let’s hope the deal is fair and we can get back to work!” wrote Daniel Dae Kim on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“Say what???? YAY!!! The strike is over!!!!! @sagaftra” posted Rosie Perez.
“WE DID IT!!!!” wrote “Stranger Things” star Noah Schnapp on his Instagram story.
Along with the deal itself, the fact that the end of the strike permits actors to promote their projects again was also cause for celebration.
When a fan tagged Quinta Brunson asking if the end of the strike meant “Abbott Elementary” would enter production soon, she responded with a video of reality star Tokyo Toni on a red carpet saying, “Well, yes!”
“YES!!! Hallelujah. I can tweet a certain trailer that I am VERY EXCITED ABOUT at midnight,” posted Kumail Nanjiani, likely in reference to “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.”
“I can finally say it: watch my documentary Saturday night at 8 on HBO/MAX!” wrote Albert Brooks on X, formerly known as Twitter, about his film “Defending My Life.” “I can finally say it: watch my documentary Saturday night at 8 on HBO/MAX! I can’t wait for you to see it! Couldn’t say a word until now!!”
“Union strong,” wrote writer and actor Dani Fernandez. “Being both WGA and SAG I have been on strike since May 2nd. Good lord. Thank you to everyone who had our back. Thank you to all my sister unions for joining the lines. Thank you to our strike captains, neg com, and pre guild folks who showed up.Strikes work.”
On Threads, DC Studios co-chief and co-CEO James Gunn posted a simple praying hands emoji.
“Excited to read the deal points for the SAG/AFTRA deal with the AMPTP,” wrote Julie Benson, “Star Trek: Prodigy” and “The 100” writer. “Congrats to all who held strong and fought to maintain a future for our industry. Strike over at midnight!
I am grateful that a fair agreement has been reached. Now, we have to ensure that our entertainment industry and economy rebounds stronger than ever,” said Los Angeles major Karen Bass.
Film critic Richard E. Roeper posted two thumbs up emojis.
The Writers Guild of America, which concluded its own historic strike in September, shared a statement saying, “Congratulations to the SAG-AFTRA Negotiating Committee for reaching a tentative agreement after striking for 118 days to address the challenges actors were facing. We’re thrilled to see SAG-AFTRA members win a contract that creates new protections for performers and gives them a greater share of the immense value they create. When workers are united, they win!”
The Directors Guild of America statement said, “Congratulations to SAG-AFTRA on successfully reaching a tentative agreement that addresses the unique needs of their members. Directors and their teams look forward to our industry getting back to work and collaborating with actors, writers, craftspeople and crews to create film and television that entertains billions around the world.”
The Producers Guild of America also weighed in. “The Producers Guild of America congratulates SAG-AFTRA for their unwavering dedication in reaching an agreement with the studios,” the union said. “We eagerly look forward to collaborating with our fellow writers, actors and directors as we collectively work towards revitalizing our industry and returning to work.”
See more reactions to the end of the actors’ strike below.
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