Andor has joined the list of productions affected by the strikes led by SAG-AFTRA and WGA. In May 2023, the Writers Guild of America initiated a strike to negotiate for better compensation and resolve other disputes with major film companies. Shortly after, the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists also joined the strike, aiming for improved working conditions.
As a result of these strikes, Lucasfilm's Andor has experienced a partial shutdown in production, according to Deadline. The second season of Andor had been in production since November 2022, with plans to conclude filming in August 2023. While filming will continue during the final weeks, cast members under the SAG-AFTRA umbrella will not be present on set. Only those cast members who are affiliated with Equity, a British acting union, are contractually allowed to continue filming, as they are not eligible to participate in the strike.
How Will Andor’s Release Be Affected By The Strikes?
The strikes have raised concerns about whether the release of Andor will be affected. Reports suggest that companies like Warner Bros. are considering delays to Dune 2, Aquaman 2, and the upcoming remake of The Color Purple due to the striking workers. However, there is a possibility that the strikes may not impact the release of Andor. Andor season 2 is scheduled to be released in August 2024, one year after the wrap date in August 2023.
According to the report, Andor season 2 only has a few weeks of shooting left. If the remaining filming can be completed without the striking SAG-AFTRA members, it is possible that Andor will still be released on time. It is unclear at this point whether more filming needs to be done with SAG-AFTRA actors or if the completed footage is sufficient. Any impact on the release of Andor season 2 will be announced in the future. However, a delayed premiere would be a small sacrifice to ensure that vital Hollywood workers receive fair compensation for their work.
Source: Deadline
