Viola Davis Exits G20 Amidst Actor, Writer Strikes
In what could set a benchmark for other A-list actors, Viola Davis, the star of the G20, has become one of the notable figures to publicly step away from a project amidst the ongoing actor and writer strikes, although the production has procured the necessitated SAG-AFTRA interim agreement for shooting to commence. "I love this movie, but I do not feel that it would be appropriate for this production to move forward during the strike," the acclaimed EGOT winner stated, as sourced by Deadline exclusively. She further expressed gratitude towards the producers for aligning with her decision, and reasserted JuVee Productions' solidarity with actors, SAG/AFTRA, and the WGA.
This news regarding Davis's withdrawal follows close on the heels of Tobias Menzies's disclosure, through Deadline, that he had joined Brad Pitt in stepping back from Apex, Joseph Kosinski's Formula One movie for Apple, where "they're not shooting with any SAG actors." The SAG-AFTRA confirmed G20's waiver approval last Friday through its website. Davis, besides being one of the film's leads, was also slated to be one of its producers. Despite Amazon Studios' involvement, the movie, funded by MRC not associated with AMPTP, got the green light as Amazon serves only as its distributor.
However, sources divulge to Deadline shortly post the waiver announcement that it's debatable if the project will proceed during the strikes. The scenario points towards the disquieting ambiguity celebs are grappling with, as they are torn between accepting the PR repercussions of their situation or not. Even though an interim agreement could mean employment for hundreds during economically challenging times, resorting to it might spark speculations of "scabbing."
The actors' guild has distributed over a hundred interim agreements to series and films in the wake of the SAG-AFTRA walkout this month. On the other hand, this also has led to vexation due to the lack of clarity about how projects from mini majors find themselves in the same category as ultra low-budget Indies. Notable projects that have received the agreement include Apple TV+'s Tehran, New Line's pickup The Watchers from Ishana Night Shyamalan, Glenn Close's The Summer Book and A24's Mother Mary and Death of a Unicorn.
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If ever there was a lesson to be learnt on when not to host a Hollywood premier, this one - right in the belly of the actors and writers strike - might just be it. Davis, exuding a sense of responsibility seldom seen in the showbiz realms, has put solidarity before stardom, and for that we raise our metaphorical hats. Standing down from a project amid grand fanfare and flashing lights sounds cinematic in its own merit, doesn't it?
But the story here is not merely of stars stepping back. It's one of the significant decisions that, behind the curtain, perhaps hundreds of others grapple with daily. Menzies lays another tile in this mosaic of mutual respect, effectively drawing a question mark on productions that don't employ SAG actors.
And what of G20? Well, aside from taking a knock to its star power, the aptly titled thriller must now negotiate the hairpin bends of the ongoing strike. The real-world drama of industrial action, it seems, has translated into a cliffhanger for the production's future. It underscores the cautionary saying we've all heard before, "Timing is everything."
The industry finds itself in dicey waters indeed. An interim agreement might seem like a lifeline, but for whom? We cannot ignore the artist's perspective, which might see it as a mockery of collective bargaining or even worse - as Davis hints - a form of “scabbing”.
Yet, amid all this, it’s noteworthy to observe the resolute human spirit aspiring to move forward despite the perilous iceberg-infested sea of this industry strike. Content does keep afloat, even if it begs questions about whether these projects should have been in the lifeboat in the first place.
Witty remark or not, here's the bottom line: at the end of the "strike" of dawn, it's not about glamour or glistening awards, but about core values. And on that stage, it appears that Davis, Menzies, and, by extension, their comrades have won the Oscars of integrity.
