Ryan Reynolds on the Halloween Costume Ban for Striking Actors
While Halloween is fast approaching, the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) issued strict guidelines ahead of the holiday. Striking actors are prohibited from dressing up as characters from struck series or movies. Additionally, the guild suggests actors “don’t post photos of costumes inspired by struck content to social media” so as not to give the studios any additional publicity. This includes dressing up as Barbie, Marvel superheroes, Oppenheimer, or Wednesday Addams – all characters that are expected to be favorites during this spooky season. Instead, the guild told members to “choose costumes inspired by generalized characters and figures — ghost, zombie, spider, etc” or to dress up as characters from “non-struck content, like an animated TV show.”
Teach Them Young
SAG-AFTRA urges actors to use their “collective power to send a loud and clear message to our struck employers that we will not promote their content without a fair contract.” Ryan Reynolds, whose Deadpool 3 is among one of many delayed productions, mocked the guidelines on X (formerly Twitter). “I look forward to screaming ‘scab’ at my 8 year old all night. She’s not in the union but she needs to learn,” he posted in response to a Variety article about the news. Reynolds shares four children with his wife, actress Blake Lively.
I look forward to screaming “scab” at my 8 year old all night. She’s not in the union but she needs to learn
— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) October 19, 2023
As we previously reported, Hollywood actors went on strike in July and are nearing its 100th day. Striking over fair wages, consistency of employment, and control over the use of artificial intelligence, SAG-AFTRA joined its fellow Writers Guild of America (WGA) members in the fight for a fairer deal. However, the WGA reached a deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) last month, ending the writers’ strike after 146 days. The Emmys, whose nominations were announced the same day the actors’ strike was called, preemptively moved their ceremony from September to January.
