Hollywood actors strike will cause little disruption to UK cinemas, industry boss claims

The chief executive of the UK Cinema Association has claimed unless the Hollywood actors strike is a “protracted one” he is confident there will be “little if any disruption” to British theatres “in the foreseeable future”.

Yesterday (13 July) the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists  (SAG-AFTRA) announced its members unanimously recommended a strike.

The stars are set to join screenwriters on picket lines outside the studios of major streamers, including Disney, Netflix and Paramount, over pay and work conditions.

Phil Clapp said as a result it was likely that some film premieres in the UK would go ahead without talent until the dispute was resolved.

It comes after cast members of historical movie Oppenheimer, including Robert Downey Jr and Florence Pugh walked out of the London premiere of the movie last night.

Mr Clapp said: “While it will clearly be for each individual to make their own decision, it may be that until the dispute is resolved we will see some premieres not being supported by the ‘talent’ in front of or behind the camera.

“In terms of wider UK cinema-going, then given the challenges UK cinema operators have faced in the last few years, all will be concerned by anything which might potentially threaten the supply of films to the big screen, and so it is very much hoped that there will be a quick resolution.”

Mr Clapp said there was already a “strong slate” of films locked in for coming weeks including Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, Barbie and Oppenheimer.

“Unless the current strike is a protracted one, we are confident that cinemas will see little if any disruption in the foreseeable future,” he said.

The SAG-AFTRA union has been unable to negotiate a deal over base pay and residuals and the use of artificial intelligence in the industry.

Additional reporting by Press Association.