A raft of strikes have hit the UK in the last 12 months, and the latest from the Writers Guild of America (WGA) is another that will affect Britons, and indeed film and TV fans across the world.
The union, which represents writers who primarily work in film and television, announced strike action would take place from May 2 with writers across Hollywood putting down their pens and ceasing work.
Around 15,000 writers have walked out after six weeks of negotiations between studios and writers failed, with a new contract not being created before the writers’ last deal expired.
It’s the largest strike of its kind in over 15 years, with WGA writers heading out on picket lines in California and New York, chanting outside studios, and waving signs.
Some films and TV shows are pushing ahead without writers on set, such as House Of The Dragon and Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power, though many have stopped production until a deal is met.
But why are writers striking, and which TV shows and films have been affected? Here’s what you need to know.
Why are Hollywood writers striking?
On May 2, thousands of TV and film writers in the WGA staged a walkout after major studios failed to offer an adequate pay deal.
The strike means most working writers in Hollywood that are part of the union have stopped working until the WGA reaches an agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).
The WGA announced in a statement to members: ‘Though we negotiated intent on making a fair deal – and though your strike vote gave us the leverage to make some gains – the studios’ responses to our proposals have been wholly insufficient, given the existential crisis writers are facing.
‘The companies’ behavior has created a gig economy inside a union workforce, and their immovable stance in this negotiation has betrayed a commitment to further devaluing the profession of writing.’
The WGA has also raised issues with the rise of streaming and Artificial Intelligence (AI) threatening the jobs of writers.
The union is asking that their contract includes language stipulating that every credited writer be a human person, and that screenplays, treatments, outlines, and other ‘literary material,’ can’t be written by ChatGPT or other AI.
AMPTP declined the request, saying they’d be willing to have ‘annual meetings to discuss advancements in technology.’
The last time there was a writer’s strike was in 2007 when work stopped for 100 days and had massive effects on the economy, costing California alone $2.1 billion (£1.6 billion).
Many famous faces have thrown their support behind the strikes, including Tom Hanks, Pete Davidson, Drew Barrymore, and US President Joe Biden.
All the TV shows and films affected by the strikes
Blade
After already being hit by a number of delays, Marvel’s upcoming Blade film has become the first major film affected by the strikes.
Production was pushed back following the departure of the film’s director Bassim Tariq but has now been shelved due to action, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Shooting for the film was due to begin next month, starring Mahershala Ali in the titular role.
Stranger Things
Production on the final season of Stranger Things has been paused.
Taking to Twitter, Matt and Ross Duffer, aka the Duffer Brothers, explained why production is ‘not possible’ right now.
‘Duffers here,’ they began.
‘Writing does not stop when filming begins. While we’re excited to start production with our amazing cast and crew, it is not possible during this strike.’
They continued: ‘We hope a fair deal is reached soon so we can all get back to work.
‘Until then — over and out.’
The pair signed off with the hashtag ‘WGA Strong’.
The Last Of Us
The Last Of Us wowed fans when its first series was released on NOW earlier this year, but now those waiting for the second installment will be left disappointed.
According to Variety, casting preparations for the second series of the HBO show have been put on hold until a deal is met.
It comes as no surprise as series co-creator and showrunner Craig Mazin has been spotted on the picket line alongside other WGA members.
Yellowjackets
The second series of teen horror Yellowjackets is currently airing, but production on the third has ceased after exactly one day.
Co-creator of the series Ashley Lyle tweeted that all progress on writing for the Showtime drama has halted due to the strikes.
‘It was amazing, and creatively invigorating, and so much fun, and I’m really excited to get back to it as soon as the WGA gets a fair deal,’ she tweeted.
Andor
The WGA strike has affected production of the second series of Andor and is expected to also impact the fourth series of The Mandalorian.
Andor showrunner Tony Gilroy has stopped all work on the second season of the show, confirming In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter: ‘I discontinued all writing and writing-related work on Andor prior to midnight, May 1.
‘After being briefed on the Saturday showrunner meeting, I informed Chris Keyser at the WGA on Sunday morning that I would also be ceasing all non-writing producing functions.’
Showrunner Jon Favreau said scripts for the fourth series of The Mandalorian were completed in February, but Deadline has said delays are expected on production with it slated to begin in September.
Hacks
HBO Max comedy Hacks has stopped production on the third series of the show for the duration of the strikes.
Jen Statsky, a co-creator on the show, explained in a tweet: ‘We are devastated to not be with our incredible crew and cast right now, but there was no other option here.
‘Writing happens at every stage of the process – production and post included. It’s what makes shows and movies good. It’s what makes them possible.’
Cobra Kai
The sixth series of popular Netflix action programme Cobra Kai has been halted.
Co-creator Jon Hurwitz confirmed the crew had put ‘pencils down’ in solidarity with the WGA.
He said the writer’s room is closed and no writers are currently on set as they send ‘strength and support’ to the negotiating committee.
The Handmaid’s Tale
The writer’s strike has frozen work on The Handmaid’s Tale.
As reported by Reuters, the writers of Emmy-winning drama had penned some early episodes for a new season ahead of filming that was supposed to start in late summer.
Co-showrunner and executive producer Yahlin Chang confirmed the news, and that production stopped as the strike began.
Severance
Production on the second series of Severance has shut down in New York as strike action continues.
The WGA East Twitter account confirmed: ‘WGA members on strike walk the line for a sunrise picket at York Studios in the Bronx and Westchester, shutting down production on Severence, as members of IATSE and Teamsters respect our picket line.’
It was previously said that the show could be delayed due to disputes behind the scenes, something director Ben Stiller has denied.
Abbott Elementary
The third series of Abbott Elementary has been put on hold.
Show writer Brittani Nichols confirmed the news to Democracy Now, calling the industry a ‘gig economy,’ where studios prioritize Wall Street, not workers.
Co-showrunner Justin Halpern additionally told The Wrap: ‘I hope that we are able to come to an agreement and that it won’t affect Abbott production at all. But as writers, we are not going to allow ourselves to be undervalued and unable to make a living.’
American Dad and Family Guy
Seth MacFarlane has reportedly decided to step away from Family Guy and American Dad in support of the writer’s strike.
The teams behind the long-running animated comedies have walked off the job, including creator and executive producer MacFarlane.
The 21st series of Family Guy ended earlier this month, while the 20th series of American Dad began in March.
A source shared with Deadline: ‘There is quite a bit of runway to go before the wheels come off.
‘The animated satire has about three months of scripts, v/o, etc already completed. Then the studio will have to figure out what steps to take next.’
Deadline also claims that the Peter Griffin star has been spotted out on the picket lines.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight
Though production on House Of The Dragon will continue, another spin-off in the Game Of Thrones universe will not as the strikes continue.
George R.R. Martin confirmed the writers’ room had shut down on production for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight.
In a blog post, the author wrote: ‘No one wanted this – no writer with an ounce of sense, anyway – but the producers and the studios and the networks and the streamers gave us no choice. The Guild negotiated right up to the final deadline on May 1, but it takes two to tango.’
Daredevil: Born Again
Production has been shut down on the eagerly-anticipated Daredevil: Born Again.
The WGA East confirmed on Twitter: ‘WGA members on strike set up a sunrise picket at Silvercup East, where they’re supposed to be filming ‘Daredevil,’ but members of the Teamster Local 817 and IATSE Locals 829 and 52 are refusing to cross the picket line.’
The reboot was set to see Charlie Cox return as the titular character alongside Vincent D’Onofrio as KingPin.
Late night US talk shows
Late-night US talk shows were temporarily shut down after Hollywood writers agreed to go on strike.
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Late Night With Seth Meyers, The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Last Week Tonight With John Oliver, and Real Time With Bill Maher all became casualties of the strike, going off air as soon as they began.
Financial support for the writers has been provided by US chat show hosts Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers, who will reportedly pay their staff’s salaries.
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