Connect with us

Published

on

After an industry-wide shutdown lasting 118 days, it looks like it’s finally time to call “Action!” in Hollywood once again.

US actors’ union SAG-AFTRA has now agreed a “tentative deal” with Hollywood studio bosses, with picket locations now officially closed.

The announcement comes after the Writers Guild of America (WGA) agreed a deal in September following the separate 148-day writers strike.

There are a couple of steps that need to happen before the deal becomes official, with the national SAG-AFTRA board set to review the agreement before details are released and the guild’s full membership takes a vote.

However, when striking screenwriters reached their deal in September, writing work was allowed to resume before full ratification of the contract was complete.

As Hollywood looks set to get back to work, here’s what to expect.

Film and TV production

Ryan Reynolds promoting Deadpool 2. Pic: AP
Image:
Production is likely to resume on Deadpool 3, starring Ryan Reynolds. Pic: AP

Production on films and TV shows is expected to start momentarily following the end of the strike. But while the deal means work can now resume, don’t expect a flurry of shows and films to come out straight away – after a delay of several months it will take time for the industry to get back to normal, and viewers may continue to feel the effects for months, if not years.

Much-anticipated films including Deadpool 3, starring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, and Ridley Scott’s Gladiator sequel will likely be among the first films that will resume production.

Work on season five of hit ’80s sci-fi series Stranger Things was also paused, and the cast of Wicked, which includes Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey, were days away from completing the film before the announcement.

L-R: Natalia Dyer as Nancy Wheeler, Joe Keery as Steve Harrington, Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson, Maya Hawke as Robin Buckley, Sadie Sink as Max Mayfield and Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas Sinclair in Stranger Things. Pic: Tina Rowden/Netflix
Image:
Stranger Things was among the hit shows put on hold during the strikes. Pic: Tina Rowden/Netflix

Production on upcoming seasons of other hit shows, including The Handmaid’s Tale and The Last Of Us, was also put on hold.

The resolution of the writers strike allowed script work to resume on shows such as Abbott Elementary, The White Lotus and Yellowjackets – and this head-start might help those productions get back on the air sooner once their stars are cleared to work.

Television moves faster than film – as one once filming ends on films there is still a lengthy editing and promotional process.

In recent weeks before the announcement of the resolution, more shows and films announced delays – Kevin Costner’s final episodes of Yellowstone won’t air until November 2024, and the next Mission: Impossible film has also been postponed.

Red carpet glam

(left to right) Emma Thomas, Jefferson Hall, Trond Fausa Aurvag, Ludwig Goransson, Kenneth Branagh, Rami Malek, Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Florence Pugh, Cillian Murphy, Christopher Nolan, and Robert Downey Jr, attend the UK premiere of Oppenheimer, at the Odeon Luxe, Leicester Square in London. Picture date: Thursday July 13, 2023.
Image:
Oppenheimer stars Rami Malek, Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Florence Pugh and Cillian Murphy had to walk out of the UK premiere as the strike was announced

It wasn’t just work on production itself that was put on hold – members of SAG-AFTRA, which represents around 160,000 workers in the industry, were also barred from publicising any of their upcoming projects.

This means that for months, film and TV premieres have either been called off, or gone ahead without their stars, and you will have seen very few actors giving interviews about their acting work. Striking actors were even warned not to dress up as popular film or TV characters at Halloween.

The much-anticipated premiere of Christopher Nolan’s epic Oppenheimer was scheduled on 14 July, the day the actors strike was announced – forcing stars including Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt and Matt Damon to walk off the red carpet.

Read more:
UK film and TV workers forced to put homes up for sale
Brad Pitt to Jane Fonda – the stars supporting strikes

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Sky News speaks to Oppenheimer stars shortly before strike announcement

Now, promo can go ahead as planned – so we’re expecting to see a flurry of red carpet announcements as studios rush to show off their stars once again.

The strike also affected international film festivals such as Venice and Toronto – and during the London Film Festival in October, director Martin Scorsese said he was “disappointed” that the stars of his latest film, Killers Of The Flower Moon, including Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro, could not attend.

The end of the strike means festivals such as Sundance, Berlin and Cannes can go ahead as planned at the beginning of 2024.

Some projects were given exemptions, such as Michael Mann’s upcoming racing drama Ferrari, for which stars Adam Driver and Patrick Dempsey were able to attend the Venice Film Festival – and also allowed Dempsey to do an interview with People magazine when it named him its Sexiest Man Alive.

Does this affect the Oscars or other awards shows?

The Emmy Awards, which usually take place in September, were called off due to the strikes. A new date was set for 15 January, and it looks like the ceremony will now be able to go ahead on this date.

As most of the awards ceremonies take place between January and April, events including the big one, the Oscars, can now take place as planned without any changes.

What does the deal mean?

SAG-AFTRA actors during their ongoing strike, in Los Angeles (file pic)

SAG-AFTRA says the deal is worth more than a billion dollars and includes compensation increases, consent protections for use of artificial intelligence and actors’ likenesses, and a “streaming participation bonus”.

The Association of Motion Picture and Television Producers says the “tentative agreement represents a new paradigm”, and that studios are offering actors “the biggest contract-on-contract gains in the history of the union, including the largest increase in minimum wages in the last 40 years”.

Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, SAG-AFTRA’s executive director and chief negotiator, says the gains have made the strike worthwhile.

What’s next?

Well… it might not all be over just yet. In fact, there could be another actors strike – this time by video game performers. Negotiations for this contract are ongoing, but a shutdown has been authorised.

Actors who work on video games range from voice performers to stunt performers, and like SAG-AFTRA members have expressed concerns about the use of AI in their industry.

Studios will also be negotiating with set workers and their guild, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, in 2024. IATSE members work on everything from set-building to lighting and creating effects, and so are crucial to film and television production. They have been severely impacted by the filming shutdown already, with some members joining the picket lines in the writers and actors strikes.

And other sectors of the industry have moved to unionise as the actors and writers strikes have played out. Some reality television workers are calling for a union, while visual effects artists who work on Marvel films voted to join IATSE.

So while Hollywood loves a happy ending, there could be a sequel to come.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Ozzy Osbourne reunites with Black Sabbath for ‘final bow’ in emotional metal goodbye

Published

on

By

Ozzy Osbourne reunites with Black Sabbath for 'final bow' in emotional metal goodbye

Ozzy Osbourne has reunited with Black Sabbath and performed his final gig – telling fans “you’ve no idea how I feel – thank you from the bottom of my heart”, in an emotional but truly metal goodbye.

Announced earlier this year, Back To The Beginning at Villa Park stadium was billed as the “final bow” for the man revered as a founder of heavy metal after several years of health problems, including Parkinson’s disease.

Rising up on a black throne featuring jewelled skulls, the 76-year-old performed a solo set before being joined by his original bandmates – Terence “Geezer” Butler, Tony Iommi and Bill Ward – for Black Sabbath’s first performance in 20 years.

“Let the madness begin,” Osbourne cried as he appeared for the first time, telling about 40,000 fans: “It’s so good to be on this stage.”

Ozzy smiles and waves his arms. Pic: Ross Halfin
Image:
Ozzy smiles and waves his arms. Pic: Ross Halfin

Ozzy Osbourne sings while sitting on a black throne
Image:
Ozzy Osbourne sings while sitting on a black throne

With the crowd chanting his name, he performed both sets sitting down, but the voice and the crazed glint in his eyes were there almost throughout.

Singing fan favourites including Mr Crowley and Crazy Train, and Iron Man and Paranoid with Black Sabbath, Osbourne conducted the crowd to sing “louder, louder”, and “go f****** crazy”.

This was an orchestrated exit by heavy metal’s biggest character, with a supporting line-up of hard rock luminaries – from Slayer and Halestorm to Metallica and Guns ‘n’ Roses, plus stars including Steven Tyler, Ronnie Wood, Yungblud, Travis Barker and Chad Smith, who showed up for “supergroup” performances.

More on Ozzy Osbourne

Many said they would not be the musicians they are without Osbourne and Black Sabbath.

Ronnie Wood. Pic: Ross Halfin
Image:
Ronnie Wood was among the hard rock luminaries in the line-up. Pic: Ross Halfin

Steven Tyler. Pic: Ross Halfin
Image:
Stars at the concert included Steven Tyler. Pic: Ross Halfin

“You know, there’s not another guy as respected in metal as Ozzy Osbourne,” former Van Halen singer Sammy Hagar told Sky News just ahead of his performance. “And for him to be sick and to be saying, I’m out, I’m done. Man. There’s no one else that can replace that.”

“Without Sabbath, there would be no Metallica,” said frontman James Hetfield during their performance.

“We’re not here to say goodbye,” said Anthrax’s Scott Ian. “We’re just here to say thank you.”

Throughout the day, giant Ozzy and Black Sabbath beach balls, in the Aston Villa claret and blue, were bounced around a jubilant crowd.

Tributes from other celebrity friends and fans, from Billy Idol and Ricky Gervais to Dolly Parton and Sir Elton John, were played on screen.

Read more: From Black Sabbath’s Prince of Darkness to reality TV star

Metallica frontman James Hetfield. Pic: Ross Halfin
Image:
Metallica frontman James Hetfield during the show. Pic: Ross Halfin

Yungblud at the concert. Pic: Kazuyo Horie
Image:
Yungblud also performed. Pic: Kazuyo Horie

Hollywood actor Jason Momoa, who hosted the event, told the crowd heavy metal had been a “safehaven” for many growing up, and Black Sabbath’s music had “influenced and inspired musicians” of all eras and genres.

The farewell show was the idea of Osbourne’s wife, Sharon – one final gig to finish his performing career on a high – after he was forced to cancel shows he had planned in 2023, telling fans he “never imagined” his touring days would end that way.

Sharon Osbourne told Sky News earlier this year that his one regret was not being able to say a thank you to his fans, and so the idea for the reunion gig was born.

Profits from the show will be shared between Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorn’s Children’s Hospice.

Confetti rained down on fans during the show
Image:
Confetti rained down on fans during the show

The gig came after the Black Sabbath band members were awarded the freedom of Birmingham earlier in June, recognised for their significance to the cultural and musical identity of the city they grew up in.

The group formed in 1968 and went on to become one of the most successful metal bands of all time, selling more than 75 million albums worldwide over the years.

They were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2006 – Osbourne again later as a solo artist last year – and awarded a lifetime Ivor Novello songwriting award in 2015. In 2019, they were presented with a Grammy lifetime achievement prize.

Back To The Beginning's all star line-up. Pic: Ross Halfin
Image:
Back To The Beginning’s all star line-up. Pic: Ross Halfin

Now, their first performance in 20 years will also be their last – one for the metal history books.

The show ended with fireworks and a roar from the crowd, who had chanted Ozzy’s name throughout.

For fans, Back To The Beginning capped it all – the ultimate rock and metal line-up, and one last opportunity to show their love for the Prince of Darkness.

“I feel lucky to be able to attend this,” said Calum Kennedy, 19, from Dunfermline. “It’s the biggest metal show known to man, [the biggest line-up] ever. I’ve never seen anything better.”

Ozzy wore a shiny black jacket and a gold armband bearing his name. Pic: Ross Halfin
Image:
Ozzy wore a shiny black jacket and a gold armband bearing his name. Pic: Ross Halfin

Read more from Sky News:
Oasis reunion: Ultimately, it was all about the music
BBC to stop showing ‘high risk’ performances live

Ben Sutton, 24, from Chester, added: “I feel like it’s important – we’re of the younger generation – for us to see some of the heritage and history of the genre we love, metal in general. It’s such an honour to say goodbye to him.”

Steve Townson, from Lincolnshire, said: “I saw him the first time round and the fact that he’s still going is incredible, isn’t it? I was there at the start, I’m happy to be here at the end.”

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Oasis reunion: A high-five and a hug – the gestures were there, but ultimately it was all about the music

Published

on

By

Oasis reunion: A high-five and a hug - the gestures were there, but ultimately it was all about the music

Oasis have reunited on stage for the first time in almost 16 years – with brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher sharing a high five and the briefest of hugs as they closed a performance that for fans was more than worth the wait.

After the split in 2009, for many years Noel said he would never go back – and for a long time, as the brothers exchanged insults through separate interviews (and on social media, for Liam), it seemed pretty unlikely to ever happen.

But now, here they are. As they walked out on stage at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, all eyes were on the Gallaghers for a sense of their relationship – dare we say it, friendship? – now after all these years.

As it happened: How Oasis’s first gig together in 16 years unfolded

There was no reference to their fall-out or making up, but the gestures were there – lifting hands together as they walked out for the first time.

The headline "OASIS REUNITED" was shown on stage at the gig. Pic: PA
Image:
The headline “OASIS REUNITED” was shown on stage at the gig. Pic: PA

Fans at the Oasis gig. Pic: PA
Image:
Fans at the Oasis gig. Pic: PA

Headlines and tweets of speculation and then confirmation of the reunion filled the screens as the show started. “This is happening,” said one, repeatedly.

In the end, it was all about the music.

More on Oasis

Liam has received criticism in the past for his voice not being what it once was, but back on stage with his brother tonight he delivered exactly what fans would have hoped for – a raw, steely-eyed performance, snarling vocals, and the swagger that makes him arguably the greatest frontman of his day.

This was Oasis sounding almost as good as they ever have.

Fans sang along and held up their phones to film as Oasis performed. Pic: PA
Image:
Fans sang along and held up their phones to film as Oasis performed. Pic: PA

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Oasis: ‘It’s good to be back’

They opened with Hello, because of course, “it’s good to be back”. And then Acquiesce, and those lyrics: “Because we need each other/ We believe in one another.”

The song is said to be about friendship in the wider sense, rather than their brotherly bond and sibling rivalry, but you can’t help but feel like it means something here.

Over two hours, they played favourite after favourite – including Morning Glory, Some Might Say, Cigarettes & Alcohol, Supersonic and Roll With It.

Liam Gallagher as Oasis takes to the stage in Cardiff. Pic: PA
Image:
Liam Gallagher as Oasis takes to the stage in Cardiff. Pic: PA

In the mid-section, Liam takes his break for Noel to sing Talk Tonight, Half The World Away and Little By Little; the tempo slows but there is by no means a lull, with the fans singing all his words back to him.

Liam returns for hits including Stand By Me, Slide Away, Whatever and Live Forever, before sending the crowd wild (or even wilder) with Rock And Roll Star.

Noel Gallagher performing on stage. Pic: PA
Image:
Noel Gallagher performing on stage. Pic: PA

An Oasis fan is pointing at the stage during the gig. Pic: PA
Image:
An Oasis fan is pointing at the stage during the gig. Pic: PA

When the reunion announcement was made last summer, it quickly became overshadowed by the controversy of dynamic pricing causing prices to rocket. As he has done on X before, Liam addressed the issue on stage with a joke.

“Was it worth the £4,000 you paid for the ticket?” he shouted at one point. “Yeah,” the crowd shouts back; seemingly all is forgiven.

After Rock And Roll Star, the dream that very quickly became a reality for this band, Noel introduced the rest of the group, calling Bonehead a “legend”.

Paul 'Bonehead' Arthurs of Oasis. Pic: PA
Image:
Paul ‘Bonehead’ Arthurs of Oasis. Pic: PA

Liam Gallagher carried a tambourine in his mouth during the concert. Pic: PA
Image:
Liam Gallagher carried a tambourine in his mouth during the concert. Pic: PA

Then he acknowledges all their young fans, some who maybe weren’t even born when they split. “This one is for all the people in their 20s who’ve never seen us before, who’ve kept this shit going,” he says before the encore starts with The Masterplan.

Noel follows with Don’t Look Back In Anger, and the screens fill with Manchester bees in reference to the arena bombing and how the song became the sound of hope and defiance for the city afterwards.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

‘I’d have paid £10,000 to see them’

Two fans sat on their friends' shoulders as Oasis performed. Pic: PA
Image:
Two fans sat on their friends’ shoulders as Oasis performed. Pic: PA

During Wonderwall, there’s a nice touch as Liam sings to the crowd: “There are many things I would like to say to you, but I don’t speak Welsh.”

It is at the end of Champagne Supernova, which closes the set, that it happens; Noel puts down his guitar, and they come together for a high-five and a back-slap, a blink-and-you’d miss it hug.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

What fans thought of band’s comeback

Read more:
What you need to know about the Oasis tour
Liam Gallagher hits out at council after fans branded ‘rowdy’

“Right then, beautiful people, this is it,” Liam had told the crowd as he introduced the song just a few minutes earlier. “Nice one for putting up with us over the years.”

From the roar of the audience, it’s safe to say most people here would agree it’s been worth it.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Oasis tour: What you need to know – and why Cardiff is the first stop

Published

on

By

Oasis tour: What you need to know - and why Cardiff is the first stop

Oasis are set to kick off their reunion tour in Cardiff this weekend, with thousands expected to descend on the Welsh capital.

The 41-date Oasis Live 25 tour begins in the city on Friday and Saturday, amid warnings for people to plan ahead before they travel.

The Gallagher brothers’ last performance together was in 2009, and the tour sold out within hours of its announcement last August, with fans eager to catch a glimpse of the reunion.

But where is the tour heading – and why was Cardiff chosen as the city where the brothers will perform for the first time together in almost 16 years?

When does the tour start and where is it heading?

After Cardiff, Oasis will go on to perform at Manchester, London, Edinburgh and Dublin on their UK and Ireland leg of the tour.

See below for a full list of tour dates:

More on Cardiff

Oasis tour dates

  • Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Wales – Friday 4 July
  • Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Wales – Saturday 5 July
  • Heaton Park, Manchester, England – Friday 11 July
  • Heaton Park, Manchester, England – Saturday 12 July
  • Heaton Park, Manchester, England – Wednesday 16 July
  • Heaton Park, Manchester, England – Saturday 19 July
  • Heaton Park, Manchester, England – Sunday 20 July
  • Wembley Stadium, London, England – Friday 25 July
  • Wembley Stadium, London, England – Saturday 26 July
  • Wembley Stadium, London, England – Wednesday 30 July
  • Wembley Stadium, London, England – Saturday 2 August
  • Wembley Stadium, London, England – Sunday 3 August
  • Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh, Scotland – Friday 8 August
  • Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh, Scotland – Saturday 9 August
  • Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh, Scotland – Tuesday 12 August
  • Croke Park, Dublin, Ireland – Saturday 16 August
  • Croke Park, Dublin, Ireland – Sunday 17 August
  • Toronto, Canada – Sunday 24 August
  • Toronto, Canada – Monday 25 August
  • Chicago, USA – Thursday 28 August
  • East Rutherford, USA – Sunday 31 August
  • East Rutherford, USA – Monday 1 September
  • Los Angeles, USA – Saturday 6 September
  • Los Angeles, USA – Sunday 7 September
  • Mexico City, Mexico – Friday 12 September
  • Mexico City, Mexico – Saturday 13 September
  • Wembley Stadium, London, England – Saturday 27 September
  • Wembley Stadium, London, England – Sunday 28 September
  • Seoul, South Korea – Tuesday 21 October
  • Tokyo, Japan – Saturday 25 October
  • Tokyo, Japan – Sunday 26 October
  • Melbourne, Australia – Friday 31 October
  • Melbourne, Australia – Saturday 1 November
  • Melbourne, Australia – Tuesday 4 November
  • Sydney, Australia – Friday 7 November
  • Sydney, Australia – Saturday 8 November
  • Buenos Aires, Argentina – Saturday 15 November
  • Buenos Aires, Argentina – Sunday 16 November
  • Santiago, Chile – Wednesday 19 November
  • São Paulo, Brazil – Saturday 22 November
  • São Paulo, Brazil – Sunday 23 November
Principality Stadium, Cardiff. Pic: PA
Image:
Principality Stadium, Cardiff. Pic: PA

Why was Cardiff picked as the first stop?

Asked on X in May why Cardiff was chosen as the location for the opening leg, Liam Gallagher said “because Cardiff is the bollox”.

Principality Stadium is a 74,500-seat venue, known as the home of Welsh rugby, which played host to Bruce Springsteen and Taylor Swift concerts last year.

Businesses in the area are hoping the arrival of Oasis will bring an influx of trade to the city.

Gary Corp, manager of the City Arms, told Sky News that he was expecting the concert would “treble if not quadruple the footfall on the street”.

Meanwhile, Ethan John, events manager at Tiny Rebel, said Oasis choosing Cardiff to kick off their tour was “surreal” and that previous events such as Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour had a “massive impact” on footfall.

What travel advice is there in Cardiff?

Train operators say trains will be busy and people should allow plenty of time for their journey home.

Georgie Wills, from Transport for Wales, said the company was “thrilled to welcome thousands to Cardiff this summer”.

“Look out for our queuing systems and travel tips – and let’s make it a safe and smooth experience for everyone,” she added.

Cardiff Council has confirmed that roads around the stadium will close from 12pm until 12am on both Friday and Saturday.

The road closures come into force three hours earlier than is planned for upcoming Stereophonics, Kendrick Lamar and Catfish and the Bottlemen concerts later this summer.

The Cardiff Bus Interchange will close at 3pm and Cardiff Queen Street railway station will close at 10pm (apart from accessible travel or journeys to Cardiff Bay).

Liam Gallagher (left) and Noel Gallagher (right). Pic: PA.
Image:
Liam Gallagher (left) and Noel Gallagher (right). Pic: PA

What time does the show start and who are the support acts?

Principality Stadium’s doors open at 5pm on both Friday and Saturday.

The band will be supported by indie rock band Cast and Richard Ashcroft (who formed alternative rock band the Verve) in Cardiff, Manchester, London, Edinburgh and Dublin.

Cast start their Cardiff set at 6pm, followed by Richard Ashcroft at 7pm.

Oasis will take to the stage at 8.15pm, and should finish by 10.30pm.

American rock band Cage the Elephant will support Oasis in Canada, Mexico and at the Chicago gig.

They will be joined again by Cast for the East Rutherford and Pasadena dates.

Australian indie rock band Ball Park Music will support in Australia.

Are tickets still available for the shows?

The tour is sold out, but the band has said it is possible some additional tickets may be released.

In an Instagram post on 25 June, the band advised members of Oasismynet to “keep an eye” on their inbox.

The final releases would come “over the coming days” once production was “fine tuned”, the band said.

Read more from Sky News:
The Gallagher brothers back together
The story of the rock ‘n’ roll brothers so far

What’s the weather going to be like?

Cardiff is set to be cloudy with sunny intervals on Friday afternoon, with highs of 21C and lows of 15C.

On Saturday, however, it will be slightly cooler with light rain during the afternoon, before clearing up in the evening.

Continue Reading

Trending