The summer of strikes in Hollywood is giving way to a busy fall and winter season. After a 118-day strike, the Screen Actors Guild has reached a tentative agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, putting an end to picket line activities as of 12:01 a.m. on Nov. 9. This development opens the door for the resumption of film and television production, marking the first time since July when SAG-AFTRA joined the Writers Guild of America in a historic double strike, bringing the industry to a prolonged standstill.
The unanimously approved tentative agreement by SAG-AFTRA’s negotiating committee is set to be presented to the guild’s national board on Friday. While full details of the new contract will be disclosed in the coming days, it is anticipated that SAG-AFTRA has secured gains and protections on various issues, including minimum rate increases and the use of AI in manipulating actors’ digital likenesses, a pivotal point in the negotiations.
SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher emphasized the significant progress made in the negotiations, particularly in securing protections against the use of artificial intelligence and exploring new revenue streams to address compensation disparities for members working on streaming channels.
As Hollywood returns to business, audiences can expect to see their favorite stars re-emerging. Timothée Chalamet is set to make his first post-strike appearance on Saturday Night Live, promoting upcoming blockbusters like “Wonka” and “Dune: Chapter 2.” A-list celebrities such as Bradley Cooper, Emma Stone, and Sydney Sweeney are anticipated to return to red carpets, late-night TV shows, and press junkets as promotion restrictions are lifted.
Regarding film releases, Deadpool 3 and Gladiator 2 are expected to maintain their 2024 release dates. However, the Marvel Cinematic Universe experienced a shift in release dates due to the strike, with Deadpool 3 moving to July 26. Other Marvel releases have also been rescheduled.
Television production is gearing up, with major network TV shows reopening writers’ rooms to salvage part of the fall season. Networks plan to begin production after the Thanksgiving holidays, aiming to meet the standard of 13 episodes for the season. Cable and streaming shows like Netflix’s “Stranger Things” and Paramount Network’s “Yellowstone” may take longer to resume production due to actors’ schedules and complex post-production work, with adjusted schedules reflecting premieres in 2024 and 2025, respectively.
