Deadpool 3 was one of the few movies that went into production while the Writers Guild of America strike was in full swing. Now that SAG-AFTRA members are heading to the picket lines to support their colleagues, all work on the film has stopped.
We have had a lot of promising news from the production of Deadpool 3. We recently saw Ryan Reynolds in his new Deadpool outfit alongside Wolverine’s new “comic-accurate” X-Men costume. The upcoming MCU movie started filming even when its writers were not allowed to work but on the condition that Reynolds would stick to the script.
Now that actors have joined the strike, work on Deadpool 3 has been paused. The Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists voted unanimously to join the nationwide strike on July 13. SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland called out studios and officially announced the strike.
“The studios and streamers have implemented massive unilateral changes in our industry’s business model, while at the same time insisting on keeping our contracts frozen in amber,” Crabtree-Ireland said.
“That’s not how you treat a valued, respected partner and essential contributor. Their refusal to meaningfully engage with our key proposals and the fundamental disrespect shown to our members is what has brought us to this point. The studios and streamers have underestimated our members’ resolve, as they are about to fully discover.”
The SAG says that studios are unwilling to cooperate with actors and writers. In a recent report by Deadline, the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) plans to let the strike drag on for “several more months.” One Hollywood insider says that a studio CEO was quoted saying, “I think we’re in for a long strike, and they’re going to let it bleed out.”
As the strike was being ratified, Hollywood A-listers, including Emily Blunt and Matt Damon, attending the premiere of Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer left the screening to show solidarity with the striking actors. As the strike continues, we expect red-carpet movie premieres will not have actors present.
Audiences can expect a gap in the production of movies and TV shows. Late-night talk shows have already been off the air since the beginning of the WGA strike in May. Many films and TV shows will have their release dates pushed back as a result of the work stoppage.
As for Deadpool 3, Marvel may opt to adjust the release schedule of the film if the strike drags on for several more months. Deadpool was the only movie in Phase 5 that moved up its release schedule. We may see the film return to its November 2024 release date if the strike takes a long time to resolve.
Deadpool 3 is currently scheduled to release on May 4, 2024.
