On May 1, The Writers Guild of America began its official strike to demand an increase in minimum wages and standardization of residual or royalty payments, among other requirements. And, after the initial news, Hollywood was already feeling the aftershocks. The late-night shows, for example, were the first to halt production and begin airing repeats. Soon after, the MTV Movie & TV Awards had no choice but to switch to a pretaped show after their host, Drew Barrymore, dropped out in support. And, with time, it’s safe to say most Hollywood productions have been impacted by the strike.
Among our favorite TV shows that have been impacted, for example, is the second season of 1923 which was been postponed “indefinitely,” the third season of Yellowjackets, which only had one day of writers’ room before having to halt production and the second season of Loot, which was forced to halt following on-set picketers in Bel-Air.
Blockbuster movies, on the other hand, have also been thoroughly affected. Just this past week, the film adaptation of It Ends With Us, starring Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively, paused production. And, a few days earlier, Disney announced the next three Avatar movies will be released either one or three years after their original release dates.
Check out some of the impacted shows below and, most of all, remember to be patient as we wait for production to get back going again, it’s all for a good cause!
‘American Horror Story’
Although the new season of American Horror Story was already underway, starring none other than Kim Kardashian, production had to halt filming May 3, Vulture reports.
‘It Ends With Us’
The film adaptation of It Ends With Us is the most recent Hollywood production to have to press pause for the time being. According to Deadline, less than half of the movie was filmed when production made the decision to halt.
‘Avatar’ Franchise
Recently Disney announced a series of release date changes due to the impacts of the strike. According to The Hollywood Reporter,Avatar 3 was pushed back from December 2024 to December 2025 as well as Avatar 4 now hitting theaters in December 2029 and Avatar 5 in December 2031 — meaning they will both only open three years later than previously announced. The differences a few months can make!
Also according to Disney, two Star Wars movies have also been pushed back and will now be airing in 2026.
‘Stranger Things’
Following the beginning of the strikes in May, the Duffer brothers, the creators of Stranger Things, have spoken out about supporting the cause. “Writing does not stop when filming begins,” the co-creators wrote on Twitter. “While we’re excited to start production with our amazing cast and crew, it is not possible during this strike. We hope a fair deal is reached soon so we can all get back to work. Until then — over and out.”
‘Saturday Night Live’
Prior to airing an episode with Pete Davidson in his first time as host, Saturday Night Live halted production in early May. Since the announcement, the show has been airing repeat episodes instead of new ones.
‘1923’
Following its fantastic first season, the second season of 1923 has been “delayed indefinitely” due to the strike, Deadline reports. The first day of filming was originally set for June 5.
‘Abbott Elementary’
ABC hit Abbott Elementary has also stopped filming and joined the cause. The show’s creator and star Quinta Brunson, for example, recently spoke to the WGA about their continuing efforts. “If we keep staying strong, then we’re actually going to be able to make this end sooner and get the things that we’re fighting for — I think that’s a very important part of this,” Brunson said on Instagram. “I was just talking to one of the captains and it’s just important to remember that we’re fighting for something and we’re not going to leave here with nothing.”
‘Cobra Kai’
In early May, Cobra Kai co-creator Jon Hurwitz announced that the show’s writers’ room was joining the strike. “We hate to strike, but if we must, we strike hard,” he wrote on Twitter. “Pencils down in the Cobra Kai writers room. No writers on set. These aren’t fun times, but it’s unfortunately necessary. The moment a fair deal is in place, we’ll get back to kicking ass. In the meantime, sending strength and support to the negotiating committee. You got this.”
‘Emily in Paris’
Netflix hit Emily in Paris has also been affected by the strike. According to Variety, filming was set to begin in late summer but has already been pushed back by two months.
‘Hacks’
Jen Statsky, co-creator of Hacks, took to Twitter in May to announce the halting of production of the Max original series. “We are devastated to not be with our incredible crew and cast right now, but there was no other option here,” Stratsky wrote. “Writing happens at every stage of the process – production and post included. It’s what makes shows and movies good. It’s what makes them possible. #wgastrong.”
‘Yellowjackets’
Unfortunately for fans of Yellowjackets, we’ll have to wait some more to watch the drama all unfold. “We had exactly one day in the #YellowJackets S3 writers’ room,” wrote co-creator Ashley Lyle on Twitter. “It was amazing, and creatively invigorating, and so much fun, and I’m very excited to get back to it as soon as the #WGA gets a fair deal.”
‘Uncoupled’
During an appearance on The View, Uncoupled star Neil Patrick Harris talked about halted production on the second season of the show. “Everything is sort of on pause,” the actor said, per Deadline. “So we’re just going to wait until that plays itself out.”
‘The Last of Us’
After a record-breaking first season, HBO’s Max was anxious to begin production on the second of The Last of Us. The WGA strike, however, made it all take a break. According to Variety, auditions also had to stop for now because they didn’t have any dialogue to even audition with.
‘Penguin’
According to a Max spokesperson to The Washington Post, the production company halted the filming of Penguin, the spinoff DC series based on Colin Farrell’s take as the Batman villain
‘Severance’
According to Deadline, the hit Apple TV+ series stopped production on May 8 and many of the members of the show have since picketed in support of the strike. We’ll have to wait a little longer for season 2!
‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight’
In addition to House of the Dragon, HBO has also been working on another Game of Thrones spinoff: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight. In May, however, production came to a halt with the support of creator George R.R. Martin. “No one wanted this — no writer with an ounce of sense, anyway — but the producers and the studios and the networks and the streamers gave us no choice,” the author wrote on Twitter.
‘Loot’
Although production for the second season of Loot was underway at the beginning of May, strikers began picketing outside the Bel-Air mansion used for filming which made it impossible to continue, per The Hollywood Reporter. Production has been on hold ever since.
‘Billions’
The set of Billions has also been taken over by picketers. According to Deadline, strikers have gone as far as to block trucks from entering the building and making it impossible for production to begin filming.
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