Tron: Ares delayed as director criticizes strike talks
‘Tron: Ares’ director Joachim Rønning took to Instagram to voice his frustration with the ongoing Writer’s Guild of America (WGA) and Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists’ (SAG-AFTRA) Hollywood strikes.
He revealed that filming of the movie was due to have started but because of the strikes, it has been delayed.
The film has instead laid off over 150 people off.
Rønning stated that while he supported the goals of the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, he criticized the lack of ongoing negotiations between the unions and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers saying at Hollywood they “close deals for breakfast.”
The full statement is below.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cv72vOiJlj2/?img_index=1
“The absolute best moments of my career have been watching an actor perform in front of the camera – taking the scene and the text to a higher place. I’ve been fortunate to collaborate with amazing talent. It’s a huge part of why I’m a filmmaker. However, like myself, being an actor or a writer, means you’re a freelancer. And I can tell you, the constant uncertainty is not for everyone. To that end, I don’t think it’s unreasonable to ask for a better safety net.
“Many of my best friends are writers. Everything starts with the story. Everything starts with you. That must continue. And that means that AI needs to be regulated. There is no doubt about the threat the technology poses to all creatives.
“Today was supposed to be our first day of principal photography on TRON: ARES (a movie subsequently about AI and what it means, and takes, to be human). Instead, we are shut down with over a hundred and fifty people laid off. It’s indefinite, which makes it exponentially harder for everyone.
“The AMPTP, SAG-AFTRA and WGA need to not leave the table until it’s done. This is Hollywood. We close deals for breakfast. Why do we suddenly have all the time in the world when every day is so precious? These tactics are extremely frustrating. It’s time for diplomacy so we can get back to work – under conditions that are fair to everybody.”
‘Tron: Ares’ is the third installment in the ‘Tron’ franchise after ‘Tron: Legacy’.
It will star Jared Leto as the titular Ares.
An official release date has not been set.