In a recent attempt to resolve the ongoing actors’ strike, George Clooney, along with a group of A-list actors, presented a $150 million proposal to the SAG-AFTRA leadership. However, the proposal seems to have faced significant hurdles.
Key Takeaways:
- George Clooney led a group of A-list actors in presenting a proposal to SAG-AFTRA.
- The proposal aimed to end the three-month-long actors’ strike with studios.
- The group included stars like Tyler Perry and Scarlett Johansson.
- Initial feedback suggests the proposal “didn’t go well.”
- The proposal’s main pitch was to remove the cap on dues, potentially bringing in $150 million over three years.
Details of the Proposal
The group, which also included renowned actors Tyler Perry and Scarlett Johansson, held a Zoom call with the SAG-AFTRA leadership to discuss their proposal. The primary objective was to find a resolution to the ongoing three-month actors’ strike against the studios. However, sources familiar with the situation have indicated that the proposal might be dead on arrival.
Reception and Feedback
After the Zoom meeting, SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher and executive director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland convened with the union’s negotiating committee to deliberate on the stars’ proposal. The proposal’s main pitch was to remove the cap on dues, which could potentially bring more than $50 million to the union annually, amounting to $150 million over three years. Additionally, they suggested a bottom-up residual structure where top earners would be the last to collect residuals.
However, the proposal did not gain traction. Sources have mentioned that the A-listers’ group felt disheartened after their pitch was not well-received. One source stated, “They don’t understand why there isn’t just a mediation.”
Further Developments
SAG-AFTRA is anticipated to release a statement addressing the stalemate with the A-list actors. Previously, Variety reported that several actors, including Emma Stone and Ben Affleck, have expressed discontent within the guild since negotiations with the studios collapsed. These actors are actively seeking ways to reinitiate the stalled negotiations, especially given the economic impact of the strike.
However, some members of the negotiating committee believe that the proposal’s section about member dues is not directly related to the primary issues that have halted negotiations with the studios.
Closing Thoughts
The failed attempt by the A-list actors to restart negotiations with the studios underscores a deeper issue with the vision of the guild’s negotiating committee. The ongoing strike continues to be a significant concern, with many hoping for a fair and swift resolution.
