Major Hollywood projects are facing delays as actors go on strike, causing disruptions in the film industry. Marvel’s highly anticipated ‘Deadpool 3,’ Ridley Scott’s sequel to ‘Gladiator,’ and Tom Cruise’s eighth installment of ‘Mission: Impossible’ are among the movies affected by the strike.
The strike by the Screen Actors Guild‐American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) comes just two months after the writers’ strike, which caused setbacks in the TV industry and postponed several movie releases.
Now, the film business is also grinding to a halt, although studios are working on utilizing the footage already shot and making plans for future production once the strike is resolved.
Marvel Studios, which has numerous projects in post-production, expressed its understanding of the situation in an email to its staff.
Studio head Kevin Feige and co-president Louis D’Esposito acknowledged the disappointment caused by the shift in plans but emphasized that adapting to unexpected challenges is part of the production business.
They expressed gratitude to the teams for their dedication and expressed hope for a speedy resolution that would allow them to resume their work.
Given the possibility of a strike, studios had prepared contingency plans for some films. One source revealed that a film had front-loaded scenes featuring a key actor who had a scheduling conflict due to a series commitment after the strike was averted.
One area of the industry that may continue working is animation, especially for projects scheduled for release in 2025 and beyond. As a common practice, animators could have temporary voices recorded for upcoming projects to guide the animation process.
The SAG-AFTRA actors would later record their lines when the strike is over. However, animated features aiming for a 2024 release might be at a stage where the actors’ final dialogue is required.
Among the films slated for release in 2024 are ‘Kung Fu Panda 4,’ ‘Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse,’ ‘Despicable Me 4,’ and ‘Transformers One.’
Below is a list of confirmed films that have halted filming due to the strike. Although others, such as ‘Wicked,’ Clint Eastwood’s ‘Juror #2,’ and ‘Mortal Kombat,’ are likely affected, The Hollywood Reporter has not independently confirmed their status.
‘Deadpool 3′ (Disney/Marvel)
Release date: May 3, 2024
Marvel Studios planned to start production on three features before the Writers Strike began. However, only ‘Deadpool 3,’ starring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, had a ready script. Filming commenced in late May in London, featuring stars like Matthew Macfadyen, Emma Corrin, Stefan Kapicic, and Brianna Hildebrand. The movie is directed by Shawn Levy, known for ‘Free Guy’ and ‘The Adam Project.’
‘Gladiator 2′ (Paramount)
Release date: November 24, 2024
Ridley Scott is shooting the sequel to ‘Gladiator,’ which takes place twenty years after the original. The filming, which began in June, has already taken place in locations such as Morocco and Malta.
The cast includes Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Connie Nielsen, and Denzel Washington. Production faced a previous interruption in June due to an accident that resulted in crew members being hospitalized.
‘Lilo & Stitch’ (Disney)
Release date: To be announced
Filming of the remake of the beloved animated film ‘Lilo & Stitch’ started in Hawaii in April. The newcomer Maia Kealoha portrays Lilo in this reimagined version.
‘Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part 2′ (Paramount)
Release date: June 28, 2024
‘Mission: Impossible’ was already on a planned hiatus to accommodate a global press tour involving Tom Cruise, director Christopher McQuarrie, and other cast members.
However, the strike will further delay filming, pushing back the release date, which is still eleven months away.
‘Venom 3′ (Sony)
Release date: To be announced
Production for the third installment of ‘Venom’ began in Spain in late June. Tom Hardy reunites with his longtime writing partner, Kelly Marcel, who takes on the director’s role for the first time. Juno Temple and Chiwetel Ejiofor join the franchise, although details about the script remain scarce.
‘Untitled F1 Drama’ (Apple)
Release date: To be announced
Filming for this Brad Pitt and Damson Idris feature started in early July. The film, directed by Joseph Kosinski and shot by cinematographer Claudio Miranda, aims to capture racing scenes from inside the cars, similar to the approach taken in ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ with fighter jets.
The strike’s impact on the film industry is evident as several high-profile projects are put on hold. Both studios and fans eagerly await a resolution to the strike so that production can resume and these much-anticipated films can be completed.
