Christopher Nolan will “absolutely” not work on more films until strikes end

Christopher Nolan

Christopher Nolan has confirmed that he will “absolutely” not be working on more films until after the Hollywood strikes end.

This week (July 13), the cast of Nolan’s new film Oppenheimer walked out of the UK premiere at the moment an actors’ strike began.

The national board of SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild–American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) – Hollywood’s largest union, which represents 160,000 actors and performers – voted unanimously to strike, according to The Los Angeles Times.

SAG-AFTRA was seeking better pay and working conditions in the age of streaming, while other negotiations related to safeguards against the unregulated use of artificial intelligence in the industry.

Thousands of Hollywood productions are therefore currently paused, and Nolan discussed the meaning of the strike in an interview with BBC News, saying: “It’s not about me.”

Asked whether he would be working on new films during the strike, he responded: “No, absolutely. It’s very important that everybody understands it is a very key moment in the relationship between working people and Hollywood.

“This is not about me, this is not about the stars of my film.”

(L-R) Emily Blunt and Cillian Murphy
(L-R) Emily Blunt and Cillian Murphy attend the UK Premiere of “Oppenheimer” at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on July 13, 2023 in London, England (CREDIT: Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images for Universal Pictures)

The AMPTP said in a statement that “a strike is certainly not the outcome we hoped for as studios cannot operate without the performers that bring our TV shows and films to life”.

“The Union has regrettably chosen a path that will lead to financial hardship for countless thousands of people who depend on the industry,” it added.

The separate WGA (Writers Guild Of America) strike, which began on May 2, occurred following unsuccessful negotiations with AMPTP, who represent major Hollywood studios like NetflixDisneyAppleAmazon, Paramount, Warner Bros. and others.

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