Christopher Nolan reacts to 'bittersweet' moment Emily Blunt and Cillian Murphy left Oppenheimer premiere to join SAG strike

Virgin Radio

19 Jul 2023, 14:54

Director Christopher Nolan has opened up about leading stars Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Matt Damon and Florence Pugh leaving the London premiere of Oppenheimer to support the SAG-AFTRA strike.

The director said he supported the actors joining the writers who are seeking 'better pay, streaming royalties and restrictions on the implementation of artificial intelligence'.

The 52-year-old appeared on the USA's Today show and said: "It was a bittersweet moment. We were all there. We were very fortunate.

"We had the opportunity to somewhat celebrate the film and the actors were all there to support, but then when the time came had to down tools and go off in support of all of their fellow actors and then support the writers as well."

The Oscar-nominated filmmaker said that 'the business models have been rewritten by the companies we work for, and it's time to rewrite the deals' and the strikes marked 'an important moment in the industry'.

"Hopefully, with everybody unified, that can happen quickly as possible," he said.

Nolan told the cinema's audience at the London premiere last week, where Murphy, Pugh, Damon, Blunt and Rami Malek left early: "

"You've seen them here earlier on the red carpet. Unfortunately, they're off to write their picket signs for what we believe to be an imminent strike by SAG, joining one of my guilds, the Writers Guild, in the struggle for fair wages for working members of the unions, and we support them."

He told the audience: "They are here in spirit, and you'll get to see their incredible work and the reason we value these talented people so much and need to care for them and make sure they're looked after.

"Thanks so much for being here and we hope you enjoy the film,' he added as the audience applauded his supportive words."

Speaking to Deadline on the red carpet, Emily said: "I hope everyone makes a fair deal and we are here to celebrate this movie. 

"And if they call [a strike], we'll be leaving together as cast in unity with everyone. We are going to have to. We will see what happens. Right now it's a joy to be together."

The movie lands in cinemas on Friday.

Read here about Strictly Come Dancing 2023: Line-up rumours, soap stars and celebrities set for the ballroom.