Since the Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) officially announced a strike and joined the Writers Guild of America (WGA) in protesting a fair contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), Hollywood had never been this restless since 1960.
Ultimately, all film and television productions with SAG members are put on hold as the guild announced a strike. In this case, "Wicked," despite being shot in England, is also impacted.
Wicked Movie Update July 2023
According to a Variety report, "Wicked" composer Stephen Schwartz has confirmed that the entire production only had 10 days remaining to complete the filming of "Wicked" Part 1 and 2.
Albeit frustrating in the sense that they were already close to the finish line, Schwartz expressed solidarity with the striking members of the SAG-AFTRA and the WGA against the AMPTP.
"It's quite frustrating in a way because we have, I think, 10 days worth of shooting to go finish all the shooting for both movies...But on the other hand, I might as well declare it, I'm in great sympathy and support of the unions that are striking," he said in an interview.
Director Jon M. Chu also tweeted about the said "Wicked" movie update.
"Not done yet. Just paused until the strike is over and we can finish the last pieces of the movie. We were only a few days away from being done so we were SO close. It's been very painful to put a halt to it all but we will be back! And we will finish properly strong when the time is right," he assured the fans.
READ ALSO: SAG-AFTRA Officially Goes On Strike: 'Wicked,' 'Barbie' Affected By Hollywood Walkout?
'Wicked' Movie Part 1 Finished Already Despite Strike?
Elsewhere in his tweet, Chu pointed out that even tho he was heartbroken for the cast and crew to be cut short in the middle of the strike, he was "excited" to work with what they have shot already.
He even said that the "release date shouldn't be affected," denoting that they might have enough content and material to go into post-production for the "Wicked" Movie Part 1.
Meanwhile, the "Wicked" movie cast is tangled up with Ariana Grande's breakup with her husband of two years, Dalton Gomez. She was recently snapped with her co-star, Cynthia Erivo, who plays Elphaba, in London a day after the news broke out.
She was linked then with Jonathan Bailey, who plays Fiyero and is now reported to be in a relationship with Ethan Slater, who plays Boq, in the movies.
READ ALSO: Ariana Grande First Pic After Dalton Gomez Breakup: Is She Besties With THIS Actor?
