Zoe Saldana says there is ‘fear’ and ‘doubt’ in the industry as actors strike in Hollywood
Actress Zoe Saldana has told Sky News there is “fear” and “doubt” in the industry amid strikes, and she is worried about actors who need to work “for their families, and have to pay their mortgages”.
The Hollywood star, who is best known for portraying Neytiri in Avatar, Gamora in Guardians of the Galaxy, and Uhura in Star Trek, and is soon to appear in new spy thriller series Special Ops: Lioness, spoke to our Backstage podcast team the day before the walk-out was confirmed.
After our interview, the premiere for the show was cancelled due to industrial action, according to reports.
“At the end of the day, I don’t believe that organisations would be striking if they felt that there was a fairness in the game of the business that they’re in,” Saldana said.
“I hope that everybody comes together and reaches resolutions that seem fair for all parties involved because at the end of the day, 80% of the members of our union live day-to-day, live pay-cheque to pay-cheque, and they can’t really afford to sustain a strike… so that’s where my heart is.”
Hollywood actors have been on strike since 13 July after talks with studios broke down over higher pay and safeguards against unauthorised use of their images through artificial intelligence (AI).
The strike, organised by the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), is likely to have far-reaching reverberations beyond Los Angeles as production has shut down on a number of films and TV shows.
About 160,000 SAG- AFTRA members have stopped work, while 15,000 screenwriters, who are members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA), have also been on strike since 2 May.
Since the SAG-AFTRA strike officially began, numerous famous faces have been spotted on picket lines, including Jason Sudeikis, Susan Sarandon and Mandy Moore.
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Brian Cox: ‘Strikes may get unpleasant’
Succession star Brian Cox is also among those speaking out, telling Sky News the strike could get “very unpleasant” and may not be resolved until the end of the year.
Although Saldana is in a position that doesn’t leave her financially struggling during strike action, she said it was important to show solidarity. “It doesn’t mean that I should not be an active member of my organisation,” she said, adding that she is hoping for a swift resolution.
Saldana has been linked to some of the largest film franchises in the world over the past decade, from Avatar to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
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Created by Taylor Sheridan, the filmmaker behind Yellowstone and 1923, Special Ops: Lioness centres on an elite military unit of female operatives who go undercover to befriend the wives and girlfriends of targets in the war on terror.
Read more:
Oppenheimer stars walk out of premiere as strikes announced
Why are Hollywood stars walking out?
All the shows and films affected by strikes
Saldana says she initially turned down the role of lead recruiter Joe – a decision based on “fear and insecurity”.
Saldana continues: “I mean, fear can be paralysing and for like a year I did feel paralysed. And, you know, English is not my first language. I’m not a trained actor.
“I love science fiction, but I felt like I had gotten lost in all of these franchises and there was still this undying desire to continue to grow as an artist and and push myself further. And so being a part of Lioness was a testament to that.”
Special Ops: Lioness, which also stars Laysla De Oliveira, Nicole Kidman, Morgan Freeman and Michael Kelly, is available to stream on Paramount Plus from 23rd July
Entertainment
Snoop Dogg becomes co-owner and investor of Swansea football club saying it’s ‘an underdog just like me’
Police are taking no further action over Kneecap’s performance at Glastonbury.
Officers said they had investigated “comments about a forthcoming court case made during Kneecap’s performance” at the festival on 28 June.
However, after Crown Prosecution Service advice, they decided there is not enough evidence “to provide a realistic prospect of conviction for any offence”.
The Avon & Somerset force started investigating the Irish group’s show last month, as well as comments by punk-rap duo Bob Vylan.
It said they were looking at a possible public order incident.
Police said on Friday that the investigation into Bob Vylan’s performance was ongoing.
The London duo were widely criticised – and caused a BBC crisis – after leading on-stage chants of “death to the IDF” (Israel Defence Forces).
Kneecap’s Liam Og O Hannaidh appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in June. Pic: PA
Kneecap posted a photograph on Instagram, which the group said was an email from police announcing the case was being dropped.
They said their packed Glastonbury gig was a “celebration of love and solidarity” and reporting used “wildly misleading headlines”.
Fears over what Kneecap might do or say during the performance had prompted the BBC not to show it live.
The group said: “Every single person who saw our set knew no law was broken, not even close… yet the police saw fit to publicly announce they were opening an investigation.”
“There is no public apology, they don’t send this to media or post it on police accounts,” they added.
The police statement on Friday said they had informed Kneecap of their decision to drop the case.
Read more from Sky News:
Snoop Dogg becomes a co-owner of Swansea FC
American Idol TV executive and husband shot dead
One of the group’s members appeared in court in June charged with a terror offence.
Liam Og O hAnnaidh is accused of displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah, a proscribed organisation in the UK, at a gig last year.
He was released on unconditional bail ahead of a second court appearance in August.
Entertainment
Tomorrowland: ‘Devastating’ blaze destroys main stage at major festival – two days before it was due to begin
A huge fire has destroyed the main stage of a major festival in Belgium – two days before it was due to begin.
Tomorrowland is a dance music event as big as Glastonbury – and David Guetta was due to perform.
Footage showed flames and thick plumes of black smoke engulfing the stage and spreading to nearby woodland on Wednesday.
The fire gutted the main stage
Fire crews attempt to bring the blaze under control
The annual festival in the town of Boom, north of Brussels, is one of the biggest in Europe and attracts about 400,000 people over two consecutive weekends.
It is famous for its immersive and elaborate designs and attracts big names within dance music – including Guetta, best known for tracks When Love Takes Over and Titanium.
Dutch DJs Martin Garrix and Charlotte de Witte were also due to perform, along with the likes of Swedish House Mafia, Eric Prydz and Alok.
Black smoke could be seen rising into the sky
The festival’s website described the creative elements which went into the elaborate main stage.
The theme, described as Orbyz, was “set in a magical universe made entirely out of ice” and “full of mythical creatures”.
Read more from Sky News:
Ticketless Oasis fans blocked from gig
American Idol executive shot dead
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Organisers said no one was injured in the blaze but confirmed “our beloved main stage has been severely damaged”, adding they were “devastated”.
Spokesperson Debby Wilmsen added: “We received some truly terrible news today. A fire broke out on the Tomorrowland site … and our main stage was essentially destroyed there, which is truly awful.
“That’s a stage that took years to build, with so much love and passion. So I think a lot of people are devastated.”
Spokesperson Debby Wilmsen told reporters ‘a lot of people are devastated’
Despite the fire, Tomorrowland organisers said they were still expecting 38,000 festivalgoers at DreamVille, the event’s campsite.
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