Kevin Feige Opens up About Marvel Studios Halting Productions During the SAG-AFTRA Strike

For the first time since 1960, both the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA) are collectively on strike. WGA began its strike in May, and SAG recently joined in this labor dispute between the two guilds and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) after they failed to reach an agreement and previous respective contracts expired a day before each strike began.

While the productions with finished scripts were allowed to continue when WGA started the strike, the whole of Hollywood is now basically frozen since actors that are members of SAG aren’t allowed to film any movie and TV productions and also aren’t allowed to promote or give interviews for any of the coming movies while the strike is ongoing. The situation is trickier than ever, and it’s impossible to say how long it’s going to last.

Marvel Studios boss comments on the SAG-AFTRA strike

When the SAG-AFTRA strike officially began, many movie and TV productions immediately halted, including anticipated movies such as ‘Avatar 3,’ ‘Beetlejuice 2,’ ‘Gladiator 2,’ the ‘Minecraft’ movie, ‘Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part Two,’ ‘Mortal Kombat 2,’ ‘Venom 3,’ and Marvel Studios’ ‘Deadpool 3.’

While many workers in the movie industry, and the fans of their content, are showing signs of solidarity for writers and actors, the executives that are running big studios, such as Disney’s CEO Bob Iger, are saying that people on strike are “not realistic” and that they’re “adding to the set of the challenges that this business is already facing.” (Source: Variety). Now, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige also issued a statement on the ongoing strikes.

“We recognize how much you’ve all done on your specific projects and it’s disappointing when carefully laid plans have to shift, but constant change is the nature of the production business, and our teams are no stranger to unexpected challenges and rising to meet them. We deeply appreciate all your efforts to make the best of the situation, and we can all hope that a new agreement will be finalized soon so we can resume the great work we have in process.”

Kevin Feige (via The Hollywood Reporter)

Marvel Studios just recently reshuffled their release schedule, and if the strike lasts for a longer period, which is very likely since AMPTP isn’t showing any signs of giving in, we can certainly look forward to more delays. Only a few productions haven’t been affected by the strike, including ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 2 and ‘Dune: The Sisterhood.’ Apart from halting the production of ‘Deadpool 3,’ Marvel Studios also halted the casting process for ‘Fantastic Four.’

We don’t know what is happening behind the walls where the negotiations are happening (if they are), but from the looks of things, it seems that this situation could go on for s a long time since writers are actors are persistent in reaching a fair deal for everyone. But how long it is going to take for AMPTP to give in and negotiate a fair new agreement, it’s impossible to say.

‘Deadpool 3’ is officially set to be released on May 3, 2024. That date never looked more unlikely than now.

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