Meryl Streep, Keke Palmer & More Threaten Strike Amid Negotiations Breakdown With Hollywood Studios

Tensions rise in Hollywood as esteemed actors like Meryl Streep, Keke Palmer, Chelsea Handler, Liam Neeson, and other prominent stars unite in a decisive move.

The entertainment industry holds its breath as these influential voices put the Hollywood studios on notice that the status quo will no longer be accepted. The battle for equitable contracts is now front and center, and the outcome could reshape the industry's future.

The esteemed award-winning stars joined forces with over 300 actors in a united coalition. Together, they signed a letter addressed to SAG-AFTRA Leadership and Negotiating Committee as the deadline for a contract agreement with Hollywood Studios approaches.

According to Rolling Stone, the letter was a direct response to a video released by SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher, who expressed optimism about the ongoing negotiations, describing them as "extremely productive." 

Drescher assured members that the leadership was "laser-focused on all of the crucial issues you told us are most important to you," adding, "We're standing strong, and we are going to achieve a seminal deal."

However, the coalition voiced their concerns in the response letter, stating that SAG-AFTRA members may be prepared to make sacrifices that the leadership might not be considering amid "an unprecedented inflection point in our industry."

Expressing their concerns, the actor emphasized that what may have been deemed acceptable in previous years no longer sufficed, as they observed a continuous decline in compensation and creative freedom for talent.

They further stated, "We feel that our wages, our craft, our creative freedom, and the power of our union have all been undermined in the last decade. We need to reverse those trajectories." 

A prominent group of actors who have signed the letter includes Fred Armisen, Kevin Bacon, J. Smith Cameron, Neve Campbell, Glenn Close, Ariana DeBose, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, David Duchovny, Beanie Feldstein, and Chelsea Handler.

Also included are Neil Patrick Harris, Riley Keough, John Leguizamo, Dan Levy, Ron Livingston, Eva Longoria, Natasha Lyonne, Rami Malek, and many more. They clarified their readiness to "strike if it comes to that,' they don't want to, as it 'brings incredible hardships to so many, and no one wants it." 

The aggrieved actors highlighted several critical issues in their letter, including concerns about minimum pay thresholds, pensions, streaming-related residuals, healthcare, and the regulations surrounding self-tape casting agents receive.

Addressing the matter of artificial intelligence, the group emphasized the importance of not settling for "halfway gains," expressing their belief that it is crucial to ensure fair compensation now rather than later. 

They stressed: "We think it is absolutely vital that this negotiation protects not just our likenesses, but makes sure we are well compensated when any of our work is used to train AI."

They also clarified that they were unwilling to compromise on their "fundamental points," expressing their preference for going on strike. The coalition of actors noted that accepting inadequate terms would undermine their position and significantly reduce leverage in future labor agreements.

The looming labor dispute arrived after the Writers Guild of America initiated a strike on May 1 following unsuccessful negotiations for a new contract. This recent development has also seemingly affected TV series and movies, including a potential "Spider-man 4." 

Although fans were thrilled as the English actor hinted at the possibility of a fourth installment in the beloved franchise, it appears that the ongoing Writers' Strike has halted those plans. 

During the premiere of the Apple TV+ show "The Crowded Room," he provided an update on the progress of Peter Parker's next adventure. While Holland expressed his excitement, he disclosed that he could not reveal much due to the strike but confirmed he had "been having meetings" regarding the potential fourth film.

However, in support of the strike, the meetings have been paused. The "Wolf Hall" star stated, "There's been multiple conversations had, but at this point, it's very, very early stages." 

During the premiere of "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse," producer Amy Pascal expressed her enthusiasm for making another movie in the franchise. She also acknowledged the impact of the writer's strike, explaining,

"We're in the process, but the writer's strike, nobody is working during the strike. We're all supporters, and whenever they get together, we'll get started."