As the Writers strike inches closer to marking its first month, motion picture studios continue to suffer from the WGA picket line. With even shows like Warner Bros. Discovery’s Penguin series halting production & its star Colin Farrell joining the protest. In addition, several high-profile stars like Susan Sarandon were seen with the protestors holding signs. But some projects have surprisingly not halted work such as Deadpool 3, Here’s a recap of the impact of the WGA strike on its 4th week in Hollywood.
The AMPTP’s failure to secure a deal with WGA has pushed several projects on the back burner and delays to shows and movies like The Last of Us season 2 and Thunderbolts. In fact, Marvel Studios does plan to resume filming on Thunderbolts or Blade until the Writers’ strike ends.
WGA’s West President Meredith Stiehm also highlighted the consequences of studios allowing the strike to proceed, “They are shutting down production every single day,” she said at a rally in LA.
Writers gathered in masses holding signs that read, “Solidarity is Power”. Earlier this week, House of Cards and Jack Ryan star Michael Kelly was spotted at Times Square really showing support through a card, “New York Production stands in Solidarity with the WGA”. The actor was posing with Farrell.
Deadpool 3 faces backlash for continuing filming during Writers strike
Others such as Sandman creator Neil Gaiman were seen offering words of support at the rally. Speaking of authors, The Hunger Games novelist Suzanne Collins was seen picketing at Los Angeles
Meanwhile, not all Marvel projects have pushed pause on their production as Deadpool 3 continues to roll the cameras amid the WGA strike. Some have cautioned the decision comparing the situation to X-Men: Wolverine being filmed during the 2007’s writers strike and turning out to be a disaster. Coincidentally, it also featured another version of Ryan Reynolds‘ Deadpool.
Projects like the Welcome to Derry series are also being criticized for going ahead with production during the strike. The strike has begun to impact studios heads like WBD’s David Zaslav. The CEO received boos during his commencement speech at Boston University. Zaslav was forced to pause his speech at moments as the crowd began chanting “Pay your writers”.
Similarly, there are calls from WGA members like Warren Leight supporting canceling Netflix subscriptions till the strike ends. Readers can check out reactions below.
šŖ§šŖ§ @Nnedi, @GRRMspeaking & @neilhimself on strike in Santa Fe šŖ§šŖ§ #WGAstrike #1u #WGAstrong pic.twitter.com/90MqxsR5To
— Writers Guild of America West (@WGAWest) May 27, 2023
suzanne collins-the author of the hunger games is picketing at the writers strike in LA š„¹š„¹š„¹š„¹ pic.twitter.com/qSvw4XbWsW
— Ronnie šš (@RonnieKL13) May 22, 2023
Neil Gaiman (@NeilHimself) talks about the fight for writers' future at the WGA #WritersStrike pic.twitter.com/xwsvk7459R
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) May 23, 2023
Seth MacFarlane quits āFamily Guyā amid Hollywood writers strike š¤Æ pic.twitter.com/pXGSGiLBBA
— Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) May 17, 2023
HBOās Francesca Orsi says they were looking to debut āTHE LAST OF USā Season 2 in 2025 but that might now change with the writers strike.
(Source: Deadline) pic.twitter.com/WMToyVVkC6
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) May 26, 2023
āI support all unionsā¦ weāre nothing without writersā¦ Iām here in solidarityā – Susan Sarandon tells Deadline outside of 30 Rock in New York City today #WritersStrike pic.twitter.com/IETahMRvx1
— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) May 23, 2023
Filming on Marvelās #Thunderbolts has been delayed until the writers strike has been resolved
(https://t.co/vKmvm1CaPa) pic.twitter.com/B1X9ZU7vft
— Geek Vibes Nation (@GeekVibesNation) May 26, 2023
BLADE RUNNER 2099 production in Belfast is being paused too according to Northern Ireland Screen. So, I would imagine we'll start seeing UK shoots follow the U.S. soon.
— Christopher Marc (@_ChristopherM) May 26, 2023
āFor 25 years Iāve made a living and provided for my family off the backs of the creativity of writersā¦ itās unfair whatās going onā¦ they are the genesis of all that we doā ā Colin Farrell says alongside Michael KellyĀ at the Times Square rally today #WritersStrike pic.twitter.com/0fCGR4cAuE
— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) May 25, 2023
"They are shutting down production every single day… They must share the wealth we helped create… when it's your turn, we will be there with you…" – Meredith Stiehm, WGA West president, says at the Unions Strike Back rally in Downtown LA today #WritersStrike pic.twitter.com/najUZJxjVl
— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) May 27, 2023
It is 2007, a movie with Wolverine and Deadpool is made during a writers strike
It is 2023, a movie with Wolverine and Deadpool is made during a writers strike https://t.co/J5xcawYLax pic.twitter.com/QmJ6jn5dDE
— Andrew (@TheAndyV98) May 26, 2023
The good news: 'Deadpool 3' is now shooting
The bad news: As a credited writer on the film, Ryan Reynolds reportedly won't be able to improvise any dialogue on set due to the ongoing WGA strike
(via @dailydot | https://t.co/KIIah9PQ8T) pic.twitter.com/Jz55nnjLvn
— Fandom (@getFANDOM) May 26, 2023
On the scene at the Unions Strike Back rally in Downtown LA today #WritersStrike pic.twitter.com/6SCa125CGI
— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) May 27, 2023
Hundreds of people gathered to protest Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslavās commencement speech amid the writers strike. pic.twitter.com/dD2GX1WnQK
— Brut America (@brutamerica) May 23, 2023
Cancel Netflix till the writers strike is over. Cancel all your subscriptions. If you need some podcast / book recommendations ask me. I can easily lose TV till they start paying the people who deserve it! https://t.co/f6QEDxK5gn
— LibraryWolfDragon (@LibraryWDragon) May 26, 2023
If the Netflix rumor is true, that theyāre the only holdouts for reaching an agreement with the WGA, I swear I will cancel my subscription for the entirety of any potential strike.
Itās one small way those of us in the industry -but not in the WGA union- can exert our power.
— janine granda supports the WGAāØ (@beingjanine) May 1, 2023
Would be funny if Deadpool 3 ends up like Wolverine Origins in quality https://t.co/VkmOsveAxP
— Capā (@CaptainGalxy) May 25, 2023
Nah Iām gonna need Deadpool 3 to come to a complete stop as quickly as it just got started pic.twitter.com/okh5EHrb1U
— Block A š£š¢ (@VillainousComix) May 26, 2023
The Last of Us season 2 could also miss its 2025 debut date due to the strike notes of HBO’s Francesca Orsi. So far, AMPTP has not come to an agreement on any of the WGA’s demands laid out on streaming residuals and the ban on using AI.
More projects Blade Runner 2099 have been postponed till the writers receive a deal that offers fair pay. Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane has also stopped working on the show until the strike ends.
Since its start on May 2, The Writers Strike has received many allies from the industry such as Christopher Nolan and Jonathan Nolan, Matt Reeves, Better Call Saul‘s Bob Odenkirk, Mike Flanagan, Geroge RR Martin, Snoop Dogg, and many more. Celebs have also shown their support in wholesome ways like Lin Manuel Miranda handing out donuts at the picket line.
