Summary
- Stephen Amell criticizes the ongoing actors strike, calling it a “reductive negotiating tactic” and expressing frustration with the situation.
- While Amell’s comments have drawn backlash, he is not the only actor affected by the strike, as many others are also unable to promote their projects.
- Despite Amell’s stance, numerous performers have shown unwavering support for the strike, with actors on picket lines and donating to various funds. The standstill in Hollywood is for a good cause.
Heels and Arrow star Stephen Amell has some strong words of criticism for the ongoing actors strike. Like the Writers Guild of America, the Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA) is currently on strike. The union called an official strike on July 13 following failed negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). SAG-AFTRA is currently seeking increased wages, regulation for the use of AI, and better residuals for streaming projects, among other things. However, as the AMPTP has refused to compromise and return to the negotiating table, all actors within SAG are on the picket lines rather than working in front of the camera.
Though most actors have been publicly very supportive of the strike, Amell cannot be counted among them. During a recent appearance at Galaxycon (via Deadline), the former Arrowverse star admitted he doesn’t support the SAG-AFTRA strike, though he tried to claim he does stand with his fellow actors. Calling it “incredibly frustrating,” Amell said this:
“I support my union, I do, and I stand with them, but I do not support striking, I don’t. I think it is a reductive negotiating tactic, and I find the entire thing incredibly frustrating. And I think the thinking as it pertains to shows like the show that I’m on [Heels], that premiered last night, I think it’s myopic.”
Stephen Amell’s Stance On The Actors Strike Is Drawing Backlash
The comments swiftly went viral on social media, with many criticizing Amell right back for his strike critiques. On one hand, it could be easy to see where Amell is coming from. The show he referenced in his comments, Heels, just returned to Starz after a lengthy absence. Due to the strike, Amell cannot participate in any interviews or promotional events for the series, and he can’t promote it on his social media. For an actor eager to share their work with audiences, it must be frustrating to not be able to do so.
However, Amell is not the only one unable to promote an exciting project right now. There are numerous titles being released in the coming weeks and months that will arrive without their casts’ public support; for example, Disney’s recent Haunted Mansion had a red carpet premiere without its actors. In order for a strike to work, everyone must be united in their determination to get the terms they want, and that means sacrifices must be made. For the members of the AMPTP looking for weakness within the strikes, Amell’s comments must come as some kind of victory.
Regardless of how Amell feels about the actors strike, countless other performers have been steadfast in their support. Actors such as Rachel McAdams, Bob Odenkirk, and Lupita Nyong’o have been on the picket lines, while even more have donated to various funds and promoted the strike on social media. So far, the AMPTP has not signaled their intention to return to the negotiating table any time soon, and studios are reconsidering some fall releases. With the writers strike also ongoing, Hollywood remains at a standstill, but for a very good cause.
Source: Deadline
This story originally appeared on Screenrant
