Arrowverse Actor's Jaw-Dropping Stance on SAG-AFTRA Strike Shakes the Industry

Highlights

Arrow star Stephen Amell disagrees with the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike, calling it a reductive negotiating tactic and expressing frustration.

Amell's dissenting opinion distinguishes him from others in the industry, as most have expressed unwavering support for the strike action. Being an active member of the union, Amell's own contributions to the series Heels have been impacted by the strike, resulting in understandable frustration and concerns.

Arrow star Stephen Amell has voiced his opposition to the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike, which is approaching its one-month mark without any signs of resolution or progress from the companies involved. Amell's criticism comes as no surprise, considering his role in the popular CW series Arrow, which debuted in 2012 and played a pivotal role in establishing the Arrowverse. The show follows the journey of Oliver Queen, a wealthy playboy who becomes a skilled archer and vigilant justice seeker after being stranded on a deserted island. As the Arrowverse came to a close, there were concerns about what to call this interconnected universe in the future.

Amell, who portrayed the character of Oliver Queen throughout Arrow's entire run, recently expressed a contrasting viewpoint on the current strike action that is affecting almost all film and TV projects, including independent projects like Dimension 20 and Critical Role. According to Variety, Amell shared his thoughts on this matter during a fan Q&A session at Galaxycon in Raleigh, N.C. "I am a strong supporter of my union, and I stand in solidarity with them. However, I do not endorse the idea of going on strike. I believe it is a simplistic negotiating tactic," he stated. “I find the entire situation incredibly frustrating, particularly when it comes to shows — such as the one I am currently working on, which premiered last night — I believe this perspective is narrow-minded."

Amell, who previously mentioned that he would be open to working with the CW again if he returned to a darker Green Arrow storyline, stands out as one of the most prominent members of SAG-AFTRA to express disagreement with the widely supported strike action within the industry. Notable figures like George R. R. Martin have shown their support, with the Game of Thrones creator describing it as the most significant event of his lifetime and expecting it to be a lengthy and contentious process. These remarks have generated discussion on social media, as people share their opinions on Amell's perspective.

As an active union member, Amell has experienced the impact of the strike firsthand, particularly in relation to his involvement in the second season of Heels, a wrestling-themed drama series. It is understandable that Amell may be affected negatively by the disruption, considering that the project has consumed much of his time between concluding his work on Arrow and returning for the final season of The Flash within the Arrowverse franchise. While it remains unclear what solutions Amell may have in mind to address the union's concerns, it is important to acknowledge that his frustrations stem from an actor's perspective and should not be disregarded without consideration.

Arrow is available on Netflix.

Source: Variety