Hollywood Braces For Another Shutdown As SAG-AFTRA Strike Threat Looms Over 2026 Contract Talks

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A potential strike by the actors’ union, SAG-AFTRA, is once again a real possibility in Hollywood – something industry leaders hoped they wouldn’t face so soon.

It’s been a little over two years since the major 2023 labor dispute halted most movie and TV filming, and now the leader of the actors’ union is saying another work stoppage is a real possibility. This warning comes even before official talks with the studios and streaming services have started.

At the recent Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, SAG-AFTRA’s Duncan Crabtree-Ireland stated the union is ready to strike if negotiations with the companies don’t progress when they begin on February 9th.

He stated plainly that they won’t agree to any deal that doesn’t treat their members fairly.

Those words instantly caused a strong reaction in an industry still struggling to bounce back from the financial and production problems caused by the previous strikes.

The major film and television companies in Hollywood had to stop or postpone many projects during the 2023 labor dispute, costing them billions of dollars and creating financial hardship for many crew members and freelancers. Now, with the current contract ending on June 30, 2026, another strike by the actors’ union, SAG-AFTRA, is becoming increasingly likely.

“A Strike Is A Possibility”

When asked if actors might strike again, Crabtree-Ireland was very direct, saying they didn’t think actors would hesitate to halt production if necessary.

He stated that a strike shouldn’t be necessary, as the companies should be willing to negotiate fairly, just as his side is.

Then he delivered the line that made headlines across the industry.

“I am certainly not going to rule out a strike. A strike is a possibility.”

That comment significantly raises the stakes even before any talks have started.

SAG-AFTRA, the union for about 170,000 actors, represents everyone from famous stars to everyday background performers and voice actors. If they strike again, most major movie and TV studios, including streaming services, would likely have to stop production, similar to what happened in 2023.

Crabtree-Ireland did attempt to ease tensions, pointing out that there’s still a chance for an agreement to be reached.

We can begin negotiations on February 9th, and with plenty of time to work things out, I’m confident we can come to an agreement.

Even though SAG-AFTRA is publicly using the word “strike,” it suggests that the possibility of labor disputes in Hollywood is still very uncertain.

Why 2026 Could Be Even Worse Than 2023

This round of negotiations is different: the actors’ union, SAG-AFTRA, is taking the lead, which puts significant pressure on the studios and streaming services represented by the AMPTP.

The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) is secretly seeking longer contracts with unions. While contracts usually last three years, the studios now want agreements to span five years. They claim this stability is necessary because the industry is changing due to falling movie theater revenue, losses from streaming services, and companies merging.

To make the agreement more appealing, studios are planning to contribute $110 million to Hollywood’s health plans for union members. These plans have been struggling financially due to fewer productions and less work available in recent years.

SAG-AFTRA leaders have confirmed they haven’t received any official proposals yet, so none of those suggestions are currently being formally considered.

Crabtree-Ireland stated he couldn’t offer a response because he didn’t consider the item a formal proposal.

These ongoing concerns—including disagreements about AI, digital copies of actors, and how performance rights are handled—mean a SAG-AFTRA strike in 2026 is a very real possibility, not just talk.

AI Is Still The Nuclear Issue

A major point of contention during the 2023 strikes was how artificial intelligence was being used to analyze, copy, and re-use actors’ work. This remains a critical issue, and it’s likely to become even more problematic in the future.

During CES, Sarah Crabtree-Ireland emphasized that the core issue isn’t just pay, but technology. Performers are increasingly worried about studios using digital replicas or old footage without their permission or fair payment.

AI is now the biggest unpredictable factor impacting jobs in the entertainment industry. Everyone from background actors, who fear losing work to digital replacements, to major stars, worried about others profiting from AI-generated versions of their performances, is concerned about its effects.

And it is exactly the kind of issue that can drive a union to the picket lines.

Hollywood Is Playing With Fire

What makes this situation so volatile is timing.

The entertainment industry is currently facing major challenges with fewer people going to theaters, rising production costs, losses from streaming services, and worried investors. Another strike by the actors’ union, SAG-AFTRA, wouldn’t just temporarily halt filming; it would make the existing financial problems for studios much worse, forcing them to further reduce spending, sell off parts of their businesses, and completely rethink how they operate.

Yet instead of cooling tensions, Hollywood appears to be walking right back into confrontation.

As a film buff, I definitely got the message from Crabtree-Ireland: the actors’ union, SAG-AFTRA, isn’t afraid to strike again if they feel like their members aren’t getting a fair deal. They’re prepared to fight for what they deserve, which is good to see.

The film and television studios appear keen to secure long-term agreements, and they’re using funding for healthcare plans as a bargaining chip.

That combination makes 2026 feel less like a negotiation and more like a ticking clock.

The Bottom Line

A strike by the SAG-AFTRA union is now a very real possibility, and union leaders are openly talking about it.

Negotiations started on February 9th, and with the current contract ending June 30th, Hollywood has under six months to reach a new agreement and prevent another work stoppage.

After everything the industry lost in 2023, the question is no longer whether a strike would hurt.

It’s whether anyone in Hollywood is willing to stop it.

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2026-01-12 17:59