Tom Cruise's Bold Request to SAG-AFTRA: Actors Urged to Keep Promoting Projects Amid Strike

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Tom Cruise attempted a real-life mission impossible ahead of the SAG-AFTRA strike going into effect.

Cruise, aged 61, held meetings with both SAG-AFTRA and AMPTP to discuss various issues between the organizations before the breakdown of contract negotiations, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.

Aside from requesting performer protection against generative artificial intelligence and advocating proposals for stunt coordinators and performers from AMPTP, which represents major studios such as Netflix, Amazon, Apple, Disney, Discovery-Warner, NBC Universal, Paramount, and Sony, the actor also urged SAG-AFTRA to permit members to promote their new projects during the strike.

Cruise had been traveling around the world to promote his latest film, Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One, when the SAG strike began on July 14. According to THR, he was particularly concerned about the impact of the strike on the film's box office performance, especially considering the lack of PR opportunities in a post-pandemic world.

Earlier this month, SAG, which represents over 160,000 TV and film actors, voted to go on strike after the AMPTP failed to reach a satisfactory agreement regarding fair wages and residual payments, as well as the use of artificial intelligence in the industry. This strike follows the Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike in May, after their contract negotiations with the studios also reached an impasse.

As per the current regulations set by SAG, actors and performers are not allowed to participate in any promotional activities related to projects affected by strikes, including interviews, press tours, conventions, and meet-and-greets.

Cruise has always been a strong advocate for the cinema experience, actively working to ensure that films like Top Gun: Maverick, which received six Oscar nominations including Best Picture, were not released in theaters during the COVID-19 lockdowns. When the sequel to Top Gun finally premiered in 2022, it grossed an impressive $1.5 billion worldwide. This year, he is also encouraging fans to support other highly anticipated summer blockbusters like Barbie and Oppenheimer, urging them to watch these films when they hit theaters on July 21.

"This summer presents a plethora of extraordinary movies awaiting us in theaters. Here are just a few that have us eagerly anticipating their big screen debut," Cruise shared on Instagram in June, accompanied by a series of photos featuring himself with Barbie and Oppenheimer posters. "I have a great passion for watching back-to-back movies, and there's nothing more thrilling (or vibrant) than experiencing a double feature of Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer and Greta Gerwig's Barbie."

When it comes to negotiations, SAG-AFTRA frequently turns to performers who possess relevant experience to discuss pertinent issues. Members are welcome to request to address specific negotiations, and the guild then assesses the value of their participation in the conversation. As reported by THR, Cruise stood as the sole prominent star who took part in negotiations prior to the strike.