LONDON, July 13 (IANS) Universal hopes a possible SAG-AFTRA strike in London won’t hinder the premiere of “Oppenheimer” on Thursday night (July 13), Variety reports.
Variety has learned that the studio is rolling out the red carpet an hour earlier than originally planned — moving from 5:45 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. local time — in hopes that 60 minutes will allow the cast, which includes stars like Cillian Murphy, Robert Downey Jr., Matt Damon, Emily Blunt and Florence Pugh, to pose for photos and participate in interviews without breaking SAG-AFTRA strike rules.
SAG-AFTRA is the Screen Artists Guild of America for Radio and Television Artists, a labor union representing more than 160,000 American film, radio, and television artists. Hollywood writers are already on strike under the Writers Guild of America (WGA) banner.
Even though the negotiation deadline comes at midnight Wednesday, the SAG-AFTRA board must still meet on Thursday to vote and confirm the strike call. Global executives believe that such an event may not happen before the premiere.
Of course, notes Variety, this is a risky bet—the decision to strike could be announced because the rug is still on.
Christopher Nolan, director of “Oppenheimer,” celebrated the film’s world premiere on July 10 in Paris. Universal also required talent to conduct interviews and letter earlier than planned to gain publicity and promotional activities in advance of a potential strike.
The studio also plans to premiere “Oppenheimer” on July 17 in New York City.
– Jans
SR /
