In a significant turn of events in Hollywood, the solidarity between the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) and the Writers Guild of America (WGA) on the picket line has brought the film industry to a virtual standstill. An air of emptiness hovers over the celebrity studded red carpets, and writers’ cubicles lie dormant. As the strike persists, numerous film and TV projects have been forced to cease operations indefinitely. One such casualty of the ongoing industrial action is Disney’s acclaimed Star Wars series Andor. According to Deadline, the show had to cancel almost its entire shooting schedule just weeks from wrap-up, with no clear insight into when production may resume due to the ongoing strike.
The popular series, “Star Wars: Andor”, also referred to simply as Andor, signifies Disney and Lucasfilm’s latest spin-off in the Star Wars franchise, marking the fourth venture into the galaxy far, far away. Tony Gilroy, renowned for his compelling writing for films such as “The Devil’s Advocate” (1997), the complete Jason Bourne saga, and notably “Star Wars: Rogue One” (2016), commands the director’s seat.
Making its debut last year, the Andor series provides a backstory to the events unfolding five years prior to both Rogue One and “A New Hope” (1977). It explores an eclectic group of characters as the seeds of the Rebel Alliance begin to sprout, opposing the authoritative Galactic Empire. The narrative centers around Cassian Andor, a thief-turned-revolutionary who eventually enlists in the Rebellion. The series has earned applause from critics and Star Wars aficionados alike, and a sequel was promptly approved. The cast list includes the likes of Diego Luna (Wander Darkly), Stellan Skarsgard (Dune: Part One), Kyle Soller (Fury), Adria Arjona (Morbius), Forest Whitaker (Big George Foreman), Harry Potter veteran Fiona Shaw, and many more.
Andor’s Filming Challenges in the UK
The filming for the series’ second season, which started in the latter part of the previous year, was expected to conclude in the upcoming weeks in the UK. The unforeseen strike by SAG-AFTRA, however, has prompted all members of the American union to step down from their roles until the strike is resolved, an event with an uncertain timeline. This represents a significant chunk of the show’s ensemble. Nonetheless, members of the UK’s acting union, Equity, are expected to continue their work. Equity union regulations potentially expose an actor to legal action for breach of contract if they elect to actively express solidarity with a foreign union, in this instance, SAG-AFTRA. Consequently, the filming of Andor is slated to proceed, albeit in a limited capacity, with its British cast at Pinewood Studios.
Tony Gilroy, associated with the WGA, also stands in support of the strike. He has previously stated in an interview with Deadline that major studios trying to undermine the unions are acting with “reckless negligence”. Further commenting:
“I think SAG and the Writers Guild are trying to preserve our industry. In such a strange way, we’ve become the creators and the interpreters, the creative community are becoming the protectors of this industry, this huge industry that people love.”
Due to the turmoil on set, the release date for Andor’s second season remains uncertain. As we anticipate positive progression in the discussions between the unions and the studios over the ensuing months, more information regarding the series will be released.
In Conclusion
In an era where media consumption is at an all-time high, such strikes can drastically affect the industry’s landscape. The ongoing SAG-AFTRA and WGA strike serves as a reminder of the power of collective bargaining and the potential disruptions it can cause. As we watch Andor and other projects navigate these troubled waters, the importance of mutual respect and fair treatment between studios and their creative forces becomes abundantly clear. As the situation evolves, we can only hope for a swift resolution that serves the best interests of all parties involved.
