In Los Angeles, just hours before the official end of the Hollywood actors’ strike, Beth Goodnight found her phone buzzing with opportunities. As the head of a Hollywood construction company and prop shop bearing her name, she quickly dispatched two project managers to bid on various projects, including a Super Bowl commercial, a TV show, a large event, and smaller endeavors amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Goodnight, overwhelmed with calls from potential clients and her laid-off workers, described the unexpected surge and emotional relief, comparing it to Sisyphus finally putting down a heavy rock, unaware of the immense pressure she had been under.
The SAG-AFTRA actors’ union reached a tentative deal with major studios and streamers, marking the end of dual strikes by writers and actors that had halted most filming. This breakthrough has unleashed a flurry of activity in Hollywood, with major film projects like Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator 2” expected to resume production by the end of the year or early next year. Marvel Studios’ “Deadpool 3,” a priority for Walt Disney, is set to restart filming before Thanksgiving, after the actors’ strike disrupted production in July.
The martial arts film “Mortal Kombat 2” is gearing up to resume shooting on the Gold Coast of Australia, with producer Todd Garner noting that they are essentially ready to go, just needing to “turn the lights back on and get everybody back.”
However, a significant challenge in resuming production lies in coordinating the schedules of A-list actors, with potential conflicts threatening to disrupt project timelines. Some actors may prioritize promoting their films for the Oscar race, causing scheduling conflicts that could lead to the abandonment of certain projects.
While the industry is eager to return to normalcy, it will take time for many projects to restart. Production executives are reaching out to lighting houses, prop shops, and costumers to make preparations, but the process involves booking facilities, hiring staff, and other logistical steps. Pam Elyea, owner of prop supplier History for Hire, anticipates that it won’t be business as usual for a few months, possibly not until after the first of the year.
Broadcast TV networks are working to salvage their season, with plans to air episodes of popular shows like “Grey’s Anatomy” and “The Rookie” early next year. However, the industry acknowledges that getting back on track will be a gradual process, and the effects of the strike may still linger for some time.