Title: Tom Cruise Supports A-Lister Strike as Hollywood Actors Rally Against the Rise of Artificial Intelligence
By Nika Shakhnazarova | July 18, 2023 | 5:39am
The Hollywood actors’ strike has gained a prominent supporter in A-lister Tom Cruise. The star of “Top Gun: Maverick” recently surprised everyone by backing SAG-AFTRA during a negotiating session with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) via Zoom, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
In his statement, the 61-year-old actor expressed his concerns about the increasing influence of artificial intelligence (AI) in the TV and film streaming era. Cruise’s views have since been echoed by thousands of actors and entertainers in Hollywood, who are currently on strike alongside the Writers Guild of America (WGA) in a joint effort for the first time in over six decades.
Cruise’s latest film, “Mission: Impossible,” has come to a halt along with other high-profile projects like the “Avatar” sequel, “Gladiator 2,” and “Deadpool 3” due to the strike action.
During the Zoom call, Cruise also addressed the guild’s stance on stunt actors, urging the AMPTP to allow performers to continue with their press tours following the strike. He emphasized the importance of promoting films, considering the fragile state of movie theaters after the pandemic.
The union representing Hollywood’s A-listers has now joined forces with screenwriters on the picket line, after voting to shut down production across the entertainment industry. This collaboration may lead to a potential scarcity of shows and movies in the near future.
SAG-AFTRA unanimously voted to stop working after the expiration of their contract and failed negotiations with the AMPTP, which represents major streaming giants such as Disney, Netflix, and Amazon.
This strike marks the first time the 160,000-member-strong SAG-AFTRA has walked off film and TV jobs since 1980. Both SAG-AFTRA and the WGA are demanding higher pay and residuals in the streaming era.
As the strike continues, the industry awaits further developments, hoping for a resolution that addresses the concerns of the actors and writers while ensuring the future of Hollywood’s entertainment industry.