From L: Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Cillian Murphy and Florence Pugh at the U.K. premiere ofOppenheimerin London on July 13, 2023.Photo:Gareth Cattermole/Getty
Gareth Cattermole/Getty
The cast ofOppenheimerhit the red carpet in London earlier than expected on Thursday, amid a potentially imminentactors' strike.
Cillian Murphy,Florence Pugh,Matt Damon,Emily Blunt,Robert Downey Jr.and more attended the U.K. premiere ofChristopher Nolan’s upcoming biopic at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square, hours before SAG-AFTRA makes adecision about whether to strikeagainst the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).
Downey, 58, wore a gray suit, while Blunt, 40, Murphy, 47, and Damon, 52, opted for mostly black attire, with Blunt’s dress featuring dramatic cutouts and a silvery pattern. The actress also accessorized inLorraine Schwartzjewelry featuring Colombian emeralds and diamonds.
Pugh, 27, rocked a copper-orange gown — which matched the color scheme of the premiere’s backdrop featuring reddish smoke from an explosion — with a plunging ruched neckline and wide cutouts on the sides. Hershaved-head lookalso appeared to have grown out into a short blonde ‘do.
Of the potential strike, Blunt toldDeadlineon the red carpet, “I hope everyone makes a fair deal and we are here to celebrate this movie. And if they call it, we’ll be leaving together as cast in unity with everyone … We will see what happens. Right now it’s the joy to be together.”
Varietyreportedthat the start time of the red carpet was pushed up an hour in the hopes of pulling off the event before any strike were to begin.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.
Robert Downey Jr. at the U.K. premiere ofOppenheimerin London on July 13, 2023.Jed Cullen/Dave Benett/WireImage
Jed Cullen/Dave Benett/WireImage
SAG-AFTRA’s current contract with the studios was set to expire June 30, but was later extended until July 7,Deadlinepreviously reported.
However, after a recent negotiation held on Wednesday failed to produce a new agreement,CNNreported, a SAG strike appears to be imminent.
Fran Drescher attends the 65th Grammy Awards on Feb. 5, 2023, in Los Angeles.Amy Sussman/Getty
Amy Sussman/Getty
SAG-AFTRA’s presidentFran Drescherand national executive director & chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland said in an official letter addressed to members on Thursday morning that the group “called for a meeting with our National Board this morning to vote on a strike order.”
Defining the AMPTP as “the entity that represents major studios and streamers, including Amazon, Apple, Disney, NBCUniversal, Netflix, Paramount, Sony, and Warner Bros Discovery,” Drescher, 65, and Crabtree-Ireland allegedthe group “remains unwilling to offer a fair dealon the key issues that you told us are important to you.”
“Though we’ve engaged in negotiations in good faith and remained eager to reach a deal that sufficiently addressed performer concerns, the AMPTP’s responses to our proposals have not been adequate,” they wrote in the letter.
Crabtree-Ireland and theNannyalum promised to update members “immediately after the National Board’s vote,” adding that “information will be provided on how the strike impacts your ability to work. Details on picket times and locations will be provided as well.”
“Our 90-year history is a testament to what can be achieved through our conviction and unity. For the future of our profession, we stand together,” they concluded.
On Tuesday, the union announced it had agreed to what it described as"the AMPTP’s last-minute request for federal mediation"with just hours to go before the deadline, though it alleged that the AMPTP had leaked its request for mediation to the press before it informed the union’s leadership of that request.
SAG-AFTRA members previously voted 97.91% in favorof authorizing a strikeon June 5 before it began negotiations with the AMPTP on June 7, though that vote did not immediately call for a strike.
“Together we lock elbows and in unity we build a new contract that honors our contributions in this remarkable industry, reflects the new digital and streaming business model and brings ALL our concerns for protections and benefits into the now!" Drescher saidin a statementat the time.
source: people.com
