Tom Cruise Advocates for AI Regulations and Stunt Professionals in Contract Negotiations with SAG-AFTRA and AMPTP
In the midst of recent contract negotiations between SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise has been actively involved in discussions regarding key issues such as artificial intelligence (AI) and the promotion of movie projects. Deadline has confirmed that Cruise has spoken with representatives from both parties, emphasizing the importance of addressing these matters.
During a bargaining session call last month, Cruise urged the AMPTP to take SAG-AFTRA’s request for strict regulations on generative AI seriously. The actor also lent his support to the guild’s proposals on behalf of stunt coordinators and performers, although the specific details of these proposals have not been disclosed publicly.
One notable point raised by Cruise was his suggestion to allow SAG-AFTRA members to continue promoting studio projects, even in the event of a strike. It is worth mentioning that the discussions did not specifically pertain to Cruise’s latest blockbuster spy film “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One,” as its promotional campaign had already concluded. Instead, Cruise emphasized the significance of actor PR in influencing box office results, which are vital for theaters in the post-pandemic era and the acting profession as a whole.
As one of the world’s biggest stars, Cruise’s insights into the industry’s path forward during times of turmoil have always garnered attention. He fought to keep “Top Gun: Maverick” exclusively in theaters amid the pandemic and saw his efforts pay off when the film grossed over $1.4 billion worldwide and received six Oscar nominations, including Best Picture. Steven Spielberg even credited Cruise with “saving Hollywood’s ass” and aiding in its Covid recovery.
Ahead of the release of his upcoming “Mission: Impossible” film, Cruise took to social media to encourage moviegoers to support other films such as “Oppenheimer” and “Barbie” on the big screen. He expressed his excitement for these movies and their potential impact on the industry as a whole.
“Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One,” featuring an all-star cast including Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, and Rebecca Ferguson, was released on July 12 and has already grossed over $235 million. However, the production of “Dead Reckoning Part Two” may face delays if the actor strike is not resolved soon. The labor action began on July 14 after more than a month of negotiations.
Tom Cruise’s efforts to engage with both SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP were first reported by THR (The Hollywood Reporter). His involvement highlights the critical role actors play in shaping the future of the industry and their commitment to supporting theaters and their fellow professionals.