SAG-AFTRA Greenlights 39 Indie Productions Amid Actors Strike

In the midst of the actors strike, SAG-AFTRA has granted approval to 39 independent productions, a move corroborated after ensuring that none of these projects were connected to AMPTP companies. On the list of fortunate productions, two A24 projects sit prominently, a fact first revealed by Deadline on Monday. This was in relation to the likely certification of the faith-based series The Chosen, which now stands confirmed.

A24, not a component of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, saw two of its films, Mother Mary and Death of a Unicorn, receive the treasured waiver. However, close sources to the studio have indicated that the approval of a waiver does not necessarily equate to an immediate commencement of shooting. This especially rings true in regard to Death of a Unicorn, which remains in the throes of deep development. On the other hand, Mother Mary is likely to restart production soon.

Among the other greenlighted projects, Rivals of Amziah King, Dust Bunny, and Bride Hard hold significant positions. The star-studded cast of these films includes Matthew McConaughey, Sigourney Weaver, Mads Mikkelsen, and Rebel Wilson respectively.

The endorsements will be allocated to "truly independent producers", on the condition that they hold no affiliations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. Further, these producers must willingly agree to be retroactively bound by the contract terms negotiated with AMPTP upon the conclusion of the strike.

Shifting gears to don the hat of a commentator, the question at perennial play is how many Unicorns must find themselves in the throes of death (deep development, in movie speak) for Mother Mary to shoot her scenes? Perhaps Sigourney Weaver, thanks to her alien experience, is the best person to seek advice from when it comes to navigating such celestial queries.

And if you ask Matthew McConaughey how he’s dealing with yet another movie in development limbo? He'll probably, quite rightly, say, “I just keep living”. It seems that even the harshest of strikes can't leave a dent in McConaughey’s infamous laissez-faire lifestyle.

Rebel Wilson's Bride Hard couldn't have had a more fitting title, given the current strike situation. One can only imagine the challenges of trying to marry an industry strike with a brewing comedy episode. Ms. Wilson, if you manage to breeze through this one, we will commence the process to officially crown you as the queen of hard-knock comedy.

To the chosen few who have been granted a waiver, remember this, folks: to be in possession of the coveted SAG-AFTRA waiver during a strike is akin to being the proud owner of a golden ticket to Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. Go forth, disrupt the darkness with your creative imaginations, even as the rest of Hollywood waits for the dawn. Just don't forget to save us some popcorn.