Ryan Reynolds has taken a dig at SAG-AFTRA for releasing a guide instructing union members not to dress up as Barbie, Wednesday Addams, or consider any other costume from struck work projects for 2023’s Halloween. The Actors union has offered a few tips & tricks to avoid breaking the strike rules. But several film critics & fans have also joined the Deadpool 3 star in questioning the reasoning behind the rule while also remaining in support of the ongoing strike over fair pay from Hollywood studios.
After rounds of negotiations earlier this month, the SAG-AFTRA’s meetings over the actor’s contract asking for fair pay were suspended by AMPTP on October 11. While efforts continue to end the Actors Strike before Christmas, studios face heat after their CEOs exited negotiations. With the finish line nowhere in sight, SAG appears to be tightening its grip over Actors inadvertently promoting struck projects.
The new strike rule by SAG-AFTRA informs actors to “choose costumes inspired by generalized characters and figures (ghost, zombie, spider, etc).” Or SAG members can dress up as characters from non-struck content, like an animated TV show for Halloween.
Considering the streaming audiences’ interest in series like Invincible season 2, Spy X Family and Castlevania to name a few, it is likely actors would opt for costumes from such fan-favorite projects. Nonetheless, the response towards the rule has been criticism like Ryan Reynolds joking about calling his 8-year-old “scab”. Readers can check it out below.
I am a SAG Actor and this is a foolish mandate.
The strike has been tough on many SAG members. Partying at Halloween dressed as the characters their fellow SAG actors brought to life (while they blow off some steam) should be ENCOURAGED.
Hopefully, SAG reverses this decision. https://t.co/aAU8J4LBqA
— John Rocha aka The Outlaw Nation (@TheRochaSays) October 19, 2023
It’s a tough time for actors, why are you taking away one of the few bright moments they’ll have? The whole point of Halloween is to dress up as your favourite characters and express yourself. I’m very pro SAG but this is a very confusing decision. https://t.co/sGElRi9du8
— BSL (@bigscreenleaks) October 19, 2023
The Halloween costume rule is SAG’s first PR misstep this whole strike. If studios went on the attack right now I fear a lot of the general public would turn on SAG.
— adam 🌊 (@cricketadam) October 19, 2023
Sorry, but this is a ridiculous ask from the guild. I don't wanna say "lighten up" b/c obviously the strike is very serious, but I think we could all use a night off from the "us against them" mentality. People should be allowed to wear whatever they want & not be called "scabs." https://t.co/8ztbQSPpxV
— Jeff Sneider (@TheInSneider) October 19, 2023
Some ideas for #SAG members for Halloween now: pic.twitter.com/wotDdkk6ow
— Bryan Kastelan (@itsamebk) October 19, 2023
is it a safe space to say that the halloween dress-up rule of SAG- AFTRA is kinda ridiculous? pic.twitter.com/oBr0k3hwNq
— Nafis (@nafss_1998) October 19, 2023
Seriously? So, actors (and people supporting the SAG strike fearing public shaming) must scrutinize their Halloween costumes and others because dressing like a character from a movie or TV show violates the SAG strike? Ridiculous. pic.twitter.com/ktVVxOHZJ4
— JPGVerse (@JPGVerse) October 19, 2023
Me, a respectful SAG member, arriving to your Halloween party as the non-struck, but soon to be trademarked, HayMPTP Man: pic.twitter.com/yU2Lc1s8ah
— Rosa Pasquarella (@whatrosasaid) October 20, 2023
i’ll admit i don’t think i understand the halloween SAG rules 😭 https://t.co/uTDPtLRgSy
— kenny ♡ loki era (@bvckystjames) October 20, 2023
SAG leadership is becoming more unserious by the day. How are they gonna dictate what actors choose to wear for Halloween? So dumb https://t.co/rzgreBZ6J2
— JOfilmlove (@JOfilmlove) October 19, 2023
So SAG isnt allowing actors to dress as Wednesday or Barbie for Halloween 😂😂😂 they really are losing it https://t.co/3K5NJ7WCmc
— SJO (@StanJennaOrteg1) October 19, 2023
Due to the overwhelming interest in Barbenheimer, the general reaction online indicates many actors looked forward to dressing up as Ken or a mix of Oppenheimer and Barbie with a shade of pink to highlight the Greta Gerwig-helmed project and brown trench coat from Cillian Murphy‘s character attire.
Speaking of Reynolds, his upcoming buddy cop feature alongside Hugh Jackman has been the topic of dissent for moviegoers. As of now, Deadpool 3 will not be released in May 2024 due to the strike delaying its production. However, some journalists like Collider’s Steven Weintraub insist the change of premiere date is just rumors and it could still hit theaters in May if the SAG strike is resolved soon.
the rumors of #Deadpool3 changing release date are just rumors. No one knows what will happen until the SAG strike is resolved. If the strike gets settled soon, the release date won't change. VFX can be rushed if the studio wants to spend extra $. Longer SAG strike lasts, the… pic.twitter.com/0ykyRe7HFB
— Steven Weintraub (@colliderfrosty) October 19, 2023
The Actors Strike continues to impact several significant blockbusters lined up for release in the coming months. The Marvels featuring Brie Larson is one of the projects currently tracking a low domestic debut, which many attribute to the lack of promotions due to actors being unable to engage in press junkets.
