Total. Hollywood. Shutdown.
And Bob Iger can get ——
What to know
The actors are on strike, halting scripted TV and film production in the U.S.… The 160,000 members of SAG-AFTRA are officially joining the WGA on the picket line after the union could not reach a deal with the studios. This is the first actors’ strike since 1980, and the first simultaneous actors-writers strike since 1960.
SAG president Fran Drescher said the studios’ offer on key issues—including better streaming residuals, audition regulations, and protection against AI—was “insulting and disrespectful.” Besides shutting down all productions with American actors, a strike also means actors won’t be promoting projects either, which will really put pressure on the studios. For example, the cast of Oppenheimer walked away from its London premiere tonight. Though a number of big upcoming movies, like TMNT: Mutant Mayhem, did press in June in anticipation of a strike.
What does this mean for audiences? A further delay of upcoming shows and movies and fewer clips of actors talking about their projects. A fair price to pay for fair treatment of talent. Hopefully the combined power of the WGA and SAG get a good deal for everyone. 🪧
Bob Iger will stay at the helm of Disney through 2026… So much for a two-year gig. Iger has a host of fires to put out still (box office flops, making streaming profitable, fighting Florida, quashing bad parks buzz, finding a successor), so yeah, he’s not going anywhere just yet. Meanwhile, he went on CNBC this morning and said the actors and writers are being “unrealistic,” so screw him. 🐭
Universal has released 5 minutes of footage from Oppenheimer… If you’re into that sort of thing. I’m not watching it as to not be spoiled — but don’t let that quell your curiosity. Christopher Nolan just said that the movie has a $180M budget, so plus marketing costs, I’d guess it would need to clear $280M worldwide to turn a profit. (Note: I’m speculating.) It’s expected to open to at least $40M domestic, so it will need to perform internationally. That said, Universal is probably just happy to be in the Chris Nolan business at all and if the movie becomes an awards contender it will have legs on digital. 💣
Disney pulling back on Star Wars, Marvel; Iger admits streaming diluted attention at Pixar too… In addition to union busting, Iger also spoke about how streaming content demands watered down Marvel and Pixar. I’m glad he’s aware of that problem and is openly talking about pulling back to fix it. But maybe he should have more respect for the writers and actors who make Star Wars, Marvel and Pixar what it is. 🏰
House of the Dragon season 2 is still filming… Despite the SAG strike, international actors can still work, which is the case with the majority British cast on the GoT spinoff. They’re members of the Equity union in the UK, and in fact, are not allowed to strike in solidarity with SAG. International productions are how the streamers and studios hope to fill the gap during the double strike. 🐉
Barbie reportedly had a budget of $145M… Seems high for what’s essentially a comedy film, but then again, it’s going to make that back opening weekend worldwide, so who am I to judge. 💄
Lena Dunham is writing and directing a movie for Netflix… Said to be starting production in November, but we’ll see about that. 🍿
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What’s new
Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One — July 12 | Action movie | 🍅 96%
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Returning: What We Do in the Shadows s5, Foundation s2, The Summer I Turned Pretty s2, Miracle Workers s4, The Afterparty s2
What to watch
For all past ‘what to watch’ recommendations, see the full list here!