Oppenheimer cast are forced to hit the red carpet an hour early at London premiere as Hollywood actors are set to join writers on strike after talks collapse

The London premiere of Christopher Nolan’s film Oppenheimer was moved forward an hour early on Thursday so the cast had time to walk the black carpet ahead of the writers’ strike. 

The last minute change came after the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists announced it had voted in favour of taking action, after a deadline to reach a deal passed.

Leading man Cillian Murphy joined Emily Blunt, Florence Pugh and Matt Damon on the black carpet at 5.45pm in Leicester Square to avoid a clash. 

A whole host of Hollywood stars, including Meryl Streep, Jennifer Lawrence and Mark Ruffalo, are poised to join writers on strike for the first time in 60 years.

Thousands of members of the Writers Guild of America have downed tools after talks with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers over pay fell apart.

The London premiere of Christopher Nolan’s film Oppenheimer was moved forward an hour early on Thursday so the cast had time to walk the black carpet ahead of the writer’s strike

Leading man Cillian Murphy joined Emily Blunt and Florence on the red carpet at 5.45pm in Leicester Square, to avoid a clash

At the center of the row is the rise of streaming – with the guild claiming that even as budgets have increased, writers’ share of that cash has consistently shrunk. 

The untimely clash is a bitter blow to Christopher Nolan who has shelled out £81million on the production.

Peaky Blinders star Cillian takes on the role of Dr J. Robert Oppenheimer, the ‘father of the atomic bomb’ and after Paris’ premiere earlier this week, critics have tipped it to win big.  

But attending a photo event on Wednesday, Oppenheimer star Matt said while everyone was hoping a strike could be averted, he said many actors need a fair contract to survive.

‘We ought to protect the people who are kind of on the margins,’ Damon told the AP. 

‘And 26,000 bucks a year is what you have to make to get your health insurance. And there are a lot of people whose residual payments are what carry them across that threshold. 

‘And if those residual payments dry up, so does their health care. And that´s absolutely unacceptable. We can´t have that. So, we got to figure out something that is fair.’

Attending a photo event on Wednesday, Oppenheimer star Matt said while everyone was hoping a strike could be averted, many actors need a fair contract to survive

Florence Pugh put on a daring display in a plunging burnt orange gown as she joined Emily 

Actors and comedians Tina Fey, center, and Fred Armisen, right, join striking members of the Writers Guild of America on the picket line in May in New York

Rave reviews: Oppenheimer features an all-star cast and is led by Cillian Murphy, who plays the theoretical physicist who helped develop the bomb, J. Robert Oppenheimer

Tamsin Egerton and Josh Hartnett

Christopher Nolan and family

READ MORE: Disney boss Bob Iger says actors are ‘not being realistic’ as they threaten to bring Hollywood to a halt

Disney boss Bob Iger slammed actors who are threatening to go on strike on Thursday, saying they ‘are not being realistic’ and are being ‘disruptive’ to the industry. 

 

It is the first time since 1960 that actors and writers picket film and television productions.

Members of the Writers Guild of America have been on strike since early May  slowing the production of film and television series on both coasts and in production centers like Atlanta.

A spokesperson for SAG said: ‘After more than four weeks of bargaining, the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) – the entity that represents major studios and streamers, including Amazon, Apple, Disney, NBCUniversal, Netflix, Paramount, Sony and Warner Bros. Discovery – remains unwilling to offer a fair deal on the key issues that are essential to Sag-Aftra members. 

 ‘The companies have refused to meaningfully engage on some topics and on others completely stonewalled us. 

‘Until they do negotiate in good faith, we cannot begin to reach a deal.

‘We have no choice but to move forward in unity, and on behalf of our membership, with a strike recommendation to our national board. 

‘The board will discuss the issue this morning and will make its decision.’

Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer: What do the critics think?

The Telegraph’s Robbie Collin

‘Am torn between being all coy and mysterious about Oppenheimer and just coming out and saying it’s a total knockout’

Vulture movie critic Bilge Ebiri

‘OPPENHEIMER is… incredible. A relentlessly paced, insanely detailed, intricate historical drama that builds and builds and builds until Nolan brings the hammer down in the most astonishing, shattering way.’

Jonathan Dean of The Sunday Times

‘Totally absorbed in OPPENHEIMER. An audacious, inventive, complex film to rattle its audience.’

The Associated Press’ film writer Lindsey Bahr

‘It is truly a spectacular achievement, in its truthful, concise adaptation, inventive storytelling and nuanced performances from Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Robert Downey Jr., Matt Damon and the many others involved.’

Matt Maytum of Total Film

‘An epic historical drama but with a distinctly Nolan sensibility: the tension, structure, sense of scale, startling sound design, remarkable visuals. Wow.’

Elsa Keslassy of Variety

‘A sign that French audiences loved #Oppenheimer is that they stayed in front of the Grand Rex theater long after the film ended to debate about it!’

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