Tom Cruise, one of Hollywood's biggest names, has publicly declared his support for the actors' strike.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Top Gun: Maverick actor made an unannounced appearance at a Zoom meeting between the Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) in support of the actors' union.
Actors' union SAG-AFTRA went on strike for a number of reasons, including low wages and a need for reassurance concerning the advent of AI and the possibility of it using an actor's image.
Tom Cruise Backs Actors' Strike
The 61-year-old led a rally against the takeover of artificial intelligence (AI). Apparently, this is a sentiment shared by the thousands of actors and entertainers in Hollywood now on strike with the Writers Guild of America (WGA) for the first time in more than 60 years, according to New York Post.
Cruise joined the appeal in an effort to persuade the AMPTP to reconsider its position on AI in the age of streaming television and movies.
As a consequence of the strike action, production on the actor's newest Mission: Impossible movie has come to a standstill, along with dozens of other high-profile projects, such as the Avatar sequel, Gladiator 2, and Deadpool 3.
Cruise reportedly discussed the guild's position on stunt actors during the Zoom conversation.
Due to the "fragile state of movie theaters" after the pandemic, the actor requested that the AMPTP allow artists to continue publicity tours once the strike ended. He noted that promoting movies is crucial to both the stars and the studio.
Screenwriters joined the union guarding Hollywood's top A-listers on the picket line last week after the union voted to shut down production throughout the entertainment sector, which might lead to a shortage of programs and movies in the near future.
After their contract expired and negotiations with the AMPTP, which represents Disney, Netflix, Amazon, and others in the streaming industry, SAG-AFTRA decided unanimously to cease working.
For the first time since 1980, SAG-AFTRA's 160,000 members have gone on strike, refusing to work on film and television sets.
Bob Iger Called the Rally 'Disturbing'
Recently, Disney CEO Bob Iger has called the strikes "disturbing" as they demand fair pay. He told CNBC's David Faber, "This is the worst time in the world to add to that disruption."
According to Metro, he said he understands the aim of labor unions to advocate for its members to maximize pay and ensure that all workers are properly paid for their contributions. But he said that their level of expectation is "not realistic."
It has been alleged that in 2022, Iger was paid $15 million. Company records from last year showed that he stands to earn as much as $27 million in 2023.
