In accordance with the SAG-AFTRA strike called on Thursday (July 13), actors are no longer allowed to participate in promotional activity for their work. Of course, Disney has found a loophole around this, and the premiere for Haunted Mansion went on as planned on Saturday (July 15) — just without any of its stars.
Instead of big names like LaKeith Stanfield, Tiffany Haddish, Jamie Lee Curtis, Danny DeVito, Owen Wilson and Jared Leto walking the red carpet for the ride-based movie, influencers and Disney park cast members dressed as assorted Disney characters. As such, we take no pleasure in reporting that Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Maleficent, Cruella De Vil and Snow White's Evil Queen are all scabs.
On a more serious point, it's important to note that Disney cast members are paid $18 USD an hour and are not affected by SAG, as they are considered live performers. SAG-AFTRA has warned influencers to refrain from "posting on social media about any struck work regardless of whether they are posting organically or in a paid capacity." If influencers take on "any new work" promoting struck companies, they will be denied union membership in the future. That said, influencers under contract have been instructed to uphold their outstanding work obligations.
Influencer Jasmine Paige Moore had an obligation to attend the Haunted Mansion premiere, but stated on Instagram that this will be one of her last premieres until the strike ends. "I am in full support of my fellow actors and writers during this time and was asked to attend the Haunted Mansion premiere before the SAG strike was struck and as advised by SAG, I plan to fulfill all contractual obligations and not take any additional work from struck companies," she wrote.
Haunted Mansion director Justin Simien told The Hollywood Reporter that his attendance was meant to honour his cast who could not attend: "If they can't be here to speak for it, I felt like I had to be here to speak for it. It's sad that they're not here, at the same time, I totally support the reason why they're not here. And I'm happy to be the one to ring the bell in their stead."
The scabby premiere comes after Disney CEO Bob Iger called the WGA demands "not realistic" just before SAG-AFTRA joined Hollywood writers on strike. Let's hope the Disney adults only care about seeing their favourite characters cross the red carpet for so long.
Instead of big names like LaKeith Stanfield, Tiffany Haddish, Jamie Lee Curtis, Danny DeVito, Owen Wilson and Jared Leto walking the red carpet for the ride-based movie, influencers and Disney park cast members dressed as assorted Disney characters. As such, we take no pleasure in reporting that Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Maleficent, Cruella De Vil and Snow White's Evil Queen are all scabs.
On a more serious point, it's important to note that Disney cast members are paid $18 USD an hour and are not affected by SAG, as they are considered live performers. SAG-AFTRA has warned influencers to refrain from "posting on social media about any struck work regardless of whether they are posting organically or in a paid capacity." If influencers take on "any new work" promoting struck companies, they will be denied union membership in the future. That said, influencers under contract have been instructed to uphold their outstanding work obligations.
Influencer Jasmine Paige Moore had an obligation to attend the Haunted Mansion premiere, but stated on Instagram that this will be one of her last premieres until the strike ends. "I am in full support of my fellow actors and writers during this time and was asked to attend the Haunted Mansion premiere before the SAG strike was struck and as advised by SAG, I plan to fulfill all contractual obligations and not take any additional work from struck companies," she wrote.
Haunted Mansion director Justin Simien told The Hollywood Reporter that his attendance was meant to honour his cast who could not attend: "If they can't be here to speak for it, I felt like I had to be here to speak for it. It's sad that they're not here, at the same time, I totally support the reason why they're not here. And I'm happy to be the one to ring the bell in their stead."
The scabby premiere comes after Disney CEO Bob Iger called the WGA demands "not realistic" just before SAG-AFTRA joined Hollywood writers on strike. Let's hope the Disney adults only care about seeing their favourite characters cross the red carpet for so long.