From DC Studios writer Tom King to Cobra Kai‘s Jon Hurwitz – the writers strike which began on Tuesday has halted ongoing work on upcoming TV shows and movies as confirmed by the aforementioned artists. Moreover, in solidarity with the WGA strike – several high-profile Hollywood personalities & cinephiles have thrown in their support too. The walkout comes over the failure to come to an agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) over writers’ compensation on residuals and their job being treated like a gig economy-type workforce.
A week ago, Studios were celebrating their box office boom while exhibiting their theatrical release titles at CinemaCon. Though that celebration might have been short-lived as several of those upcoming feature projects and series could go on the back burner or face delays due to the WGA strike.
The members of the Writers Guild of America have been picketing in New York City and Los Angeles outside the offices of Netflix, Warner Bros, Paramount Studios, Sony, Amazon, Apple and Disney. Video clips of writers in picketing line have begun surfacing on Twitter with the likes of Thor: Love and Thunder‘s Brett Goldstein who also played as MCU’s Hercules, AGENTS of SHIELD actor Clark Gregg, The Bear star Ayo Edebiri and many more from Hollywood joining the protestors.
Meanwhile, Cinephiles may have to brace themselves for delays on upcoming shows the Yellowjackets co-creator has already confirmed season 3 will be delayed due to the writers strike. I think we have a list of demands that are all pretty reasonable and it feels like the other side is not negotiating in a good faith way,” Yellowjackets’ Bart Nickerson.
Stopped work today on some dream (secret) Hollywood projects. Absolutely devastated, but in no way regretful. WGA is fighting to make it possible to tell incredible stories. I’m with the writers and the creators trying to make worlds out of words.
— Tom King (@TomKingTK) May 2, 2023
I'm in the Writers Guild of America. I wish this wasn't happening and support it absolutely. When I wake up tomorrow I'll be on strike. (To forestall the inevitable questions, Good Omens 2 is completed and handed in. Although I may not be able to promote it as I had hoped.) https://t.co/sc64H4bm5E
— Neil Gaiman (@neilhimself) May 2, 2023
I don't know.
— Neil Gaiman (@neilhimself) May 3, 2023
Per the WGA FAQ: Can I promote my project at a film festival or at a “For Your Consideration” event about the film or show I wrote on?
No. You should let the Company know you are prohibited from making these promotional appearances about your work until the strike concludes.— Neil Gaiman (@neilhimself) May 3, 2023
I don’t use this app anymore because it honestly is a bit much for me- but I just want to clarify this-
I am a writer. I’m in the wga. I’m also on strike! I have no real power here other than to join my union in demanding fair compensation for writers! #wgastrong https://t.co/37sRWayILs
— quinta brunson (@quintabrunson) May 3, 2023
Well, we had exactly one day in the #YellowJackets S3 writers’ room. It was amazing, and creatively invigorating, and so much fun, and I’m very excited to get back to it as soon as the #WGA gets a fair deal. #1u #unionstrong ✊🐝
— Ashley Lyle (@ashannlyle) May 2, 2023
“I think we have a list of demands that are all pretty reasonable and it feels like the other side is not negotiating in a good faith way.”
—‘Yellowjackets’ co-creator Bart Nickerson; day 1 of the writers’ strike pic.twitter.com/RHRcSX6co1
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) May 3, 2023
they refuse to increase minimum wage, lower rent, AI is replacing jobs, there's a housing crisis, people are experiencing burn out, writers are unionizing and going on strike, people are in extreme debt, etc. like so much of these problems could be solved by the gov't & the rich!
— JACINDA ✧˖°. (@brokebackboys) May 2, 2023
We hate to strike, but if we must, we strike hard. Pencils down in the Cobra Kai writers room. No writers on set. These aren't fun times, but it's unfortunately necessary. The moment a fair deal is in place, we'll get back to kicking ass. In the meantime, sending strength and… https://t.co/99UulF7HeW
— Jon Hurwitz (@jonhurwitz) May 2, 2023
Several reporters today were walking around asking writers how long we’d *actually* be willing to strike. I don’t know dude, how long do you think it’ll take 11,000 unemployed writers to run out of sign ideas? #wgastrong #writersstrike pic.twitter.com/C0cq81jTcF
— mah ree nah (@marinarachael) May 3, 2023
When Jay Leno brings donuts to the writers on the first day of WGA strike at Disney #WGAStrong pic.twitter.com/3iEbaABVyv
— Matt Altman (@MattAltman2) May 3, 2023
Spending the afternoon with 100’s of WGA members & supporters on Day 1 of the strike. For some picketing outside Disney studios in Burbank, the location is symbolic.
Disney's a “dream factory” but writers say its streaming model (Disney+, Hulu) is killing their livelihoods. pic.twitter.com/w0xzzOOao9
— Josie Huang (@josie_huang) May 3, 2023
Spotted on the picket line outside of The Culver Studios in LA today: Damon Lindelof walks by with his sign that reads, “Alexa will not replace us” #WritersStrike pic.twitter.com/ekz5rqH1rd
— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) May 2, 2023
i don’t think y’all understand. when you binge that favorite show of yours from the early 2000s you can TELL the exact. season. which the writers’ strike happened. friday night lights, heroes, lost, prison break. YOU CAN SEE and FEEL that dip in quality. this is going to get bad https://t.co/DV6lfMKaqm
— victøria h (@filmforvictoria) May 2, 2023
in honour of the writers strike… #nw pic.twitter.com/8tZxne7PRE
— Le Cinéphiles (@LeCinephiles) May 2, 2023
David Chase, TV/feature writer: “To me, it’s always the same — it’s just greed. Greed and fear.” pic.twitter.com/WdvrN0xV5X
— Gene Maddaus (@GeneMaddaus) May 2, 2023
SNL has been delayed indefinitely amid the writers’ strike.
The Pete Davidson episode has also been cancelled. pic.twitter.com/Ml8zymPmLG
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) May 2, 2023
it looks like stranger things could be delayed by the writers strike, and i just wanted to take this opportunity to remind everyone that the writers getting the right amount of compensation for the hard work they do on the show is much more important than it’s release date pic.twitter.com/lxO6sqPzJG
— Ariana (@simplytomh) May 2, 2023
And if you’re still wondering why the writers strike was “necessary,” here’s one of the many, MANY stories that shines a light on how fucking poorly they’re being compensated at the moment https://t.co/xNJ0GW5QxD
— Zoë Rose Bryant (@ZoeRoseBryant) May 2, 2023
The show’s writer Ashley Lyle also offered an update that the season 3 writers’ room has stopped working after just one day and hopes to continue as soon as the WGA is offered a fair deal.
Neil Gaiman shows support for Writers strike to say he might now be able to promote Good Omens 2
With over 11,000 artists on strike, several TV shows and feature writers were seen holding signs like “AMPTP better have my money” and even a no-entry sign on AI (since AMPTP did not budge into the WGA committee’s demand to regulate using AI). Readers can check it out below.
Sandman creator Neil Gaiman showed support to the Writers Guild of America, going as far as revealing he may not be able to promote Good Omens season 2 which he said would be out this summer. In regards to Sandman season 2, Gaiman said “I don’t know” when asked if could impact the follow-up season. Other shows like Netflix’s Stranger Things season 5 are also expected to be impacted if the writers strike continues for a long period. It’s unclear if the DC Studios project could face setbacks too since Tom King, who is part of the writers’ room announced he has stopped working on “some dream (secret) Hollywood projects.” which are likely for DCU.
Speaking of Netflix, Cobra Kai season 6 writers have already put their pencils down. “No writers on set,” tweeted Jon Hurwitz and offered his support to the negotiating committee.
There have also been wholesome interactions at the picketing locations. Jay Leno was spotted at the WGA strike at Disney bringing donuts to the protestors as they cheered him on for his support. Others like SNL producer Steve Higgins seen with on the picket line on 5th Avenue.
The last time WGA went on a strike was in 2007 and it severely impacted movies such as Transformers: Revenge of The Fallen, Quantum of Solace and G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra to name a few.
Abbott Elementary season 3 is also on hold with its lead star Quinta Brunson, who is also a WGA member – said, “I’m also on strike” and has assured to join the picket line after arriving in LA. But shows like House of the Dragon season 2 seem to be safe amid the protest since the script work are complete.
The impact of the WGA strike is expected to be more severe if the protest continues. Though creators behind Hollywood’s most-watched biz shows have already contributed to the strike with SNL being delayed indefinitely. In addition, Late Night shows by Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Stephen Colbert and Seth Myers have shut down production as well.
The Late Night shows are expected to air reruns from tonight though it’s unclear how long the industry could thrive without its writers. This is just Day 1 of the protest so stay tuned for more updates on the WGA protest.
