Universal has cancelled the red carpet at its upcoming New York premiere of Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer on Monday (July 21) in light of the SAG-AFTRA 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,” the studio said on Friday.
The film will still screen, although Universal had not responded at time of writing to clarify who will be in attendance. The film will still screen, although Universal has not responded to the time of writing about who will be in attendance. It opens on July 21.
SAG-AFTRA’s strike rules forbid members from promoting their work. Attending premieres, screenings, walking the red carpet and giving interviews are several of the usual activities that are banned for the duration of the strike.
On Thursday at Oppenheimer‘s London premiere – which took place just as SAG-AFTRA was calling a strike at a California press conference – writer-director Christopher Nolan confirmed that attending cast including Murphy, Emily Blunt and Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr. and Florence Pugh had walked out in solidarity.
The strike rules will have a deep impact on how Hollywood markets and promotes its film and television. It is still too early to tell how the fall festival trio of Venice, Toronto and Telluride are going to deal with the latest challenge for a film industry that has been ravaged by the economic headwinds as well as the pandemic. The Galway Film Fleadh shifted the evening photocall for
The Martini shot to Thursday afternoon, so that it could take place before the California strike was called. Star Matthew Modine attended the drama’s premiere with fellow SAG-AFTRA member Fiona Glascott however the pair did not take part in the Q&A.Modine – who also stars in
Oppenheimer – told Screen: “Festivals are the lifeblood of the independent film industry. We can still go to the premiere and watch the movie but the red carpet is gone. We’re supporting the strike. It’s important for all the members to stand in solidarity to make sure the producers stand in good faith.”SAG-AFTRA head Fran Drescher attacks “terribly repugnant” strike remarks by Disney’s Bob Iger
