The SAG-AFTRA strike has now entered its third full week and it is already creating significant divisions among actors and other members of the entertainment industry. Stephen Amell, known for his role as Oliver Queen in The CW’s Arrow and currently starring in Starz’s wrestling drama Heels, has expressed his opposition to the strike during an appearance at Galaxycon in Raleigh, NC.
Amell stated that while he supports his union, he does not support striking as a negotiating tactic. He believes it is a reductive approach and finds the entire strike situation incredibly frustrating. His comments have faced backlash, with many arguing that if he genuinely supports the union, he should also support their decision to strike.
“I support my union. I do, and I stand with them. I do not support striking. I don’t. I think that is a reductive negotiating tactic. I find the entire thing incredibly frustrating. And I think that the thinking as it pertains to shows like the show that I’m on that premiered last night [Heels Season 2], I think it’s myopic.”
The SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes are causing significant disruption in the entertainment industry, affecting film and TV projects, and leading to delays in major studio releases. The strikes have been initiated by actors and writers campaigning for what they consider to be fair wages and better working conditions as well as the use of AI.
During times of labor strikes, it is common to witness varying opinions within the industry. Some actors and professionals choose to support the strike wholeheartedly, seeing it as a necessary step to push for their rights and demands. Others, like Stephen Amell, may have concerns about the impact of strikes on their current projects and express reservations about the effectiveness of such tactics.
Amell’s remarks about the SAG-AFTRA strike have sparked reactions from his fellow DC TV actors. Matt Letscher, who portrayed Reverse-Flash on The Flash, took a veiled shot at Amell, expressing his disagreement with the former Arrow star’s stance on the strike. Meanwhile, Kirk Acevedo, who played Ricardo Diaz/The Dragon on Arrow, was more direct in his criticism of Amell’s position.
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Given the sensitive nature of labor strikes and the impact they can have on the industry, it’s not surprising to see some Arrowverse actors speaking out against Amell’s comments. The strike is a significant and divisive issue for those involved, and emotions can run strong on both sides.
