Hollywood actors’ strike reverberates in Queensland: Major film projects expected to face significant delays

As the biggest names in Hollywood walk off set for their first strike in six decades, its impact on the Queensland film industry has been immediate, with major projects including Apples Never Fall and Mortal Kombat 2 facing potential shutdowns.

As the first Hollywood actors’ strike in nearly six decades began at 5pm AEST, reverberations could be felt in Queensland, with several of the state’s major film and television productions facing immediate cessation or significant delays.

Major projects expected to be impacted by the American actors union SAG-AFTRA strike include Universal’s Apples Never Fall, a series adaptation of Liane Moriarty’s novel of the same name.

Filming in Queensland with stars such as American actor Annette Bening and Sam Neil, the production is expected to cease at the stroke of 5pm Friday, just as the strike commences.

Mortal Kombat 2, a martial arts film produced at Gold Coast’s Village Roadshow Studios, is also bracing for significant delays.

Village Roadshow Studios, Gold Coast. Picture: Jasin Boland

Screen Queensland’s acting CEO, Dr Belinda Burns, has expressed hopes for a swift resolution to the actors’ strike negotiations in the US

“Queensland’s screen industry remains very active with our local post-production houses working on a host of Australian and international projects,” she said.

Despite the impending disruptions, Screen Queensland remains optimistic about the industry’s future, anticipating a surge in Queensland-made films and series, as well as the completion of the $12.6 million Screen Queensland Studios in Cairns.

Screen Australia is closely monitoring the situation, working in collaboration with local guilds and impacted productions.

“This is a new and evolving situation, which we are monitoring closely. We will respond accordingly,” a Screen Australia spokesperson said.

Adding to the crisis are Australian actors who are SAG members, like Margot Robbie and Succession star Sarah Snook, who have pledged their support for the strike.

While attending the Barbie premiere in London on Thursday, Robbie voiced her solidarity with the unions, telling Sky News, “I’m very much in support of all of the unions, and I’m a part of SAG, so I would absolutely stand by that.”

Margot Robbie attends the "Barbie" European Premiere at Cineworld Leicester Square. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

The strike comes after collapsed negotiations between the actors’ union and studios over a new contract, largely concerning streaming services and artificial intelligence.

This walkout follows the screenwriters’ strike in May, marking the first time since 1960 that writers and actors guilds have simultaneously gone on strike.