‘Oppenheimer’ U.S. Premiere Scraps Red Carpet Due to SAG-AFTRA Strike, Film Will Still be Screened
Universal Pictures Cancels Red Carpet at “Oppenheimer” Premiere in Response to SAG-AFTRA Strike
Baku, July 15 – Universal Pictures has announced the cancellation of the red carpet event at the upcoming U.S premiere of Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated film, “Oppenheimer.” The decision comes as a response to the ongoing strike by the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), Variety reported.
Despite the cancellation of the red carpet event, the movie itself will still be screened as planned. The premiere is scheduled to take place on Monday, July 17, at 7pm ET in New York City at the AMC Loews Lincoln Square theater. The strike was officially called by SAG-AFTRA on July 13, with picketing starting on July 14.
A statement from Universal Pictures underlines their support for the strike: “In support of the ongoing SAG strike, the filmmakers of ‘Oppenheimer’ will not be proceeding with the NY premiere as originally planned, and will instead screen the movie to celebrate the crew and craftspeople who contributed to making this landmark film.”
This decision to cancel the U.S. premiere’s red carpet follows the solidarity shown by the “Oppenheimer” cast during the film’s U.K. premiere. Although the strike had not been officially called at that time, cast members such as Cillian Murphy, Matt Damon, and Emily Blunt left the event early to participate in the strike. The U.K. premiere took place on July 13, just hours before SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher officially announced the strike would begin the next day.
During the U.K. premiere, director Christopher Nolan informed the audience that the cast members had left the event to create picket signs for the strike. To accommodate the potential strike, the red carpet occasion was moved forward by an hour so that the cast could still promote the film without interfering with their involvement in the strike.
As the strike continues, the film industry eagerly awaits the outcome of negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and production studios. The strike signifies a united front by actors and performers who are seeking improved working conditions and healthcare benefits.
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