Alien Series Production Proceeds Amidst SAG-AFTRA Strike
FX's action-packed series, "Alien," has just launched its production in Thailand, but it appears the lead stars won't shine as bright due to the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike. The first name officially put forth from the cast roster is Sydney Chandler, who lands the female lead seat. Revealed by Deadline, also in key roles are Alex Lawther of Netflix's popular series "The End of the F*cking World" as male lead CJ, an enlisted persona, alongside Samuel Blenkin from "Black Mirror" who portrays Boy Kavalier, a CEO role. The lineup further solidifies with Essie Davis from "Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries" as Dame Silvia and Adarsh Gourav of "The White Tiger" fame as Slightly.
Contracts for the actors materialized well before the American union SAG-AFTRA's strike's inception on July 14, resulting in currently inactive SAG-AFTRA members in Thailand. The production got off the ground on Wednesday, July 19 at The Studio Park, with scenes devoid of SAG-affiliated actors being captured. According to sources, Sydney Chandler's representatives confirmed her non-participation, while Alex Lawther, linked to the UK's Equity acting union, is actively filming in Thailand.
Equity performers face the threat of a potential lawsuit for contract breach if they join American colleagues in the strike. Noah Hawley's prequel to the "Alien" franchise has reportedly secured most of Bangkok's sound stages and a significant portion of camera and lighting equipment. Three of the cast members are reportedly associated with SAG-AFTRA, and the production schedule has been rearranged to delay their participation. A week's gap was all that remained from the production kickoff when the SAG-AFTRA strike took shape.
Despite the WGA strike not influencing the shoot due to complete scripts in May, the actors' strike has thrown another wrench in the gears. Around 400 local Thai individuals are part of the "Alien's" crew; however, the details about Thai cast members remain shrouded. Potentially mum are Studio Park and series' Chris Lowenstein, the Bangkok-based producer when approached for comments by Deadline.
The "Alien" series is rumored to be set pre-Sigourney Weaver's Ripley era and is the first storyline taking earth as its setting. Meanwhile, as separate from the FX series, 20th Century Studios is on its ninth "Alien" movie, directed by Fede Alverez. Thailand, regarded as one of Asia's pillar stones for inbound production, has recently seen HBO and A24's "The Sympathizer," capture their shoots.
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Some days are worse than others. You could be waking up to a soothing symphony of waves kissing the shores of Thailand's stunning coastline, or you could be waking up to the buzzing noise of a strike. Unfortunately for the cast and crew of FX's new "Alien" series, it's nothing but a blast of discord from union performers, and boy, it's not the harmonious type.
I imagine casting for a show like "Alien," demands a particular kind of bravery - you sign up knowing full well that you'll likely face some extra-terrestrial, acid-blooded beast every other day. But who could've seen the curveball - or shall we say ‘alien eggs’ - the SAG-AFTRA strike would throw into their path.
When we talk about dedication, take a bow, Alex Lawther! Flying the Equity flag, he dodges the tumultuous weather of industrial action and gets on with the job. It's rather like keeping the lens focused while balancing on a tightrope overhanging a pit of xenomorphs, isn't it?
Amid all the turmoil, let's not disregard the clear indication of a Hollywood East in the making. With credentials such as HBO and A24's "The Sympathizer," and the beehive of activities from Netflix and Disney, the Port of Bangkok could soon need a representation agent of its own. 'Bangywood', anyone?
In the meantime, for our brave new world of Alien, this is but another day in the galaxy spinning precariously on the axis between production and union rights. Let's hope the franchise's tagline doesn't prove eerily prophetic for the production - In Space (or Thailand), no one can hear you strike.
