Hollywood actors went on strike late Thursday night after talks with studios broke down.

The actors joined writers who have been on strike since May, forcing studios to contend with the first stoppage in 63 years, reportedly. Reuters. Hollywood’s largest labor union Sag Atlarepresents 160,000 actors who are demanding increased base and balance pay, reflecting the stance of the Writers Guild of America (WGA)-initiated strike. They also want to protect jobs from being replaced by artificial intelligence.

The entertainment industry has been hit hard by the global pandemic and is now facing a complete and indefinite shutdown.

Despite the imminent threat of unprecedented double-strike behavior and efforts to find a solution, discussions with the studio with SAG-AFTRA did not go well.

Matt Damon spoke out about potential actor strikes at the ‘Oppenheimer’ photocall in London. pic.twitter.com/sFzy77PKPN

— AP Entertainment (@APEntertainment) July 12, 2023

Former “The Nanny” star and SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher has lashed out at the studio for failing to come up with a solution that could have stopped the strike. In her speech, she called the studio’s response “disrespectful and disrespectful,” and the speech quickly went viral.

“The eyes of the world are on us, especially the eyes of the workers,” said SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher. Leaders of the Hollywood Workers’ Union, which represents 160,000 TV and film actors, voted to strike on Thursday, including screenwriters. https://t.co/601CRHlMCI pic.twitter.com/E0Iq6ELAQ1

— The New York Times (@nytimes) July 13, 2023

“We are shocked at how people we have dealt with have treated us,” Drescher said.

“Frankly how far apart we are in so many ways and how they complain of poverty that they donate hundreds of millions to CEOs and are losing money left and right. I can’t believe it,” she said.

“That’s disgusting.” (Related: Writers strike gives much-needed break from terrible late-night talk show)

Major stars including Margot Robbie, Emily Blunt, Kiki Palmer, Matt Damon and Jeremy Renner have voiced their support for the strike, as will the entire Oppenheimer cast in solidarity with SAG-AFTRA and left the premiere. .

Opinions on both sides remain deeply divided as the Hollywood shutdown enters its first day of dual wielding.