HOLLYWOOD STRIKE HITS OZ

AUSTRALIA IS STARTING TO SEE SOME OF THE EFFECTS FROM THE SAG-AFTRA WALKOUT

- Sara Tapia

The Australian entertainment industry has suffered its first round of casualties just days after the Hollywood actors’ strike was announced. Around 160,000 members of the Screen Actors Guild and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAGAFTRA) stopped work on July 14, joining members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) who have been protesting since May 2, asking for better pay and working conditions. And now Aussie actor Eric Bana, 54, has revealed that he has been forced to delay the release of his new film.

“It is with some regret, but a large amount of conviction that we have decided to postpone the release of Force of Nature: The Dry 2,” the actor shared in a statement on July 20. “I’m incredibly proud of this much anticipated Australian film and want to be able to do it justice by promoting it thoroughly. Due to the SAG-AFTRA strike, of which I am a longstanding member, it is not possible to do that at this time.”

Due for release on August 24, Bana revealed he planned to wait until he was able to promote the film “just as we did with The Dry”. “Our plan is to be face-to-face with the cinema-going public through event screenings, Q&As and press appearances at the time of release,” he continued.