Seth Rogen says Hollywood strikes won’t end soon because studios ‘hate each other’

Seth Rogen has weighed in on the ongoing strikes in Hollywood, predicting the standstill won’t end because of the studios’ “infighting”.

Seth Rogen weighs in on Hollywood strike

Seth Rogen has weighed in on the ongoing writers’ and actors’ strike in Hollywood – and, sadly, he doesn’t seem hopeful.

The 41-year-old – who is an actor, writer and producer – has taken his place along the picket lines with his peers in support of the Screen Actors Guild and Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) associations, who are calling for better pay and job security amid the streaming boom.

In a new interview with Sky News, Rogen said he doesn’t think the strikes are coming to an end any time soon. And it’s not only the issue of “distance” between writers and actors and the studios, but he thinks it’s the studios and streamers who have to get “on the same page” and stop the “infighting”.

Seth Rogen joins the picket line at Paramount Picture Studios on July 31, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Picture: Unique Nicole/Getty Images

“The studios haven’t even spoken to each other, is what I’ve heard,” Rogen told the outlet of studios such as Disney, Warner Brothers and Universal, and streaming giants like Amazon and Netflix.

“These are people who hate each other. To think that Universal has the same priorities as Netflix is insane. What concerns me is that they will be completely unable to bring forth a coherent and unified proposal because of their own infighting and divergent priorities.”

Seth Rogen says the studios need to stop their “infighting” before any agreements can be negotiated. Picture: Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Images

Rogen starred in and was an executive producer on films such as Superbad, Pineapple Express and Knocked Up.

He recently co-wrote and produced Paramount’s new animated film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, and voices Bebop in the movie.

His comments come as the strike enters its 100th day, with no hint of an agreement in sight.

The Writers Guild of America began to strike in May, walking out on countless productions. And last month actors and actresses in the US joined them in solidarity.

The SAG-AFTRA announced the strike on July 14 and its effect was felt immediately with the star-studded cast Oppenheimer – Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Cillian Murphy and Florence Pugh – up and leaving their film’s London premiere early upon hearing the news.

Billy Porter attends the Golden Globe Awards in January. Picture: Amy Sussman/Getty Images

Since the strike, actors and actresses have come forward with stories about the surprisingly low payments they receive for their work.

Pose star Billy Porter revealed yesterday that he has to sell his house because of Hollywood strikes as he currently has no income coming in.

“I have to sell my house. I don’t know when we’re gonna go back [to work],” the actor told the Evening Standard. “The life of an artist, until you make f**k-you money, which I haven’t made yet, is still cheque-to-cheque,” he added.

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Meanwhile, Aussie actor Luke Cook – who starred in a hit Netflix series Guardians of the Galaxy – revealed his low income amid the strike.

“I am not a millionaire,” Cook said in a TikTok video. “I drive a 2010 Mazda S3, and my previous car was a 2006 Ford Tarus. 95 per cent of the actors in SAG cannot make a living from acting, so they’ve got to have side hustles. I am one of those actors.”

“The actors that you’re thinking of, who are the millionaires, are usually series regulars or big A-listers in big movies. The actors who are around them, though, are actors like myself: guest stars, co-stars etc., and we’re paid chips.”

Cook then revealed he was only paid $US7500 for “two weeks of work” on the Hulu series Dollface, compared to the series regulars, who he says were paid $US100,000 per episode.