Tron 3 director frustrated with postponement: ‘Striking unions need to speed up negotiations’
The Norwegian filmmaker’s next film, starring Jared Leto and Evan Peters, had to be postponed, and 150 people were fired.
Currently in preparation for his next film, Tron: Ares, Joachim Ronning (Pirates of the Caribbean 5, Maleficent) expressed his frustration with the actors’ strike, initiated by the SAG-AFTRA union last July. On his Instagram account, he notably published a long text returning to the postponement of the Disney film with Jared Leto And Evan Peters.
Rønning nevertheless begins by legitimizing the social movement: “Being an actor or a writer means being self-employed. I can tell you that this involves constant uncertainty which is not for everyone. I don’t think it’s unreasonable to ask for better protective measures (…) It all starts with history, with us. It must continue like this, and it requires regulation by artificial intelligence. The threat of technology to creatives is beyond doubt,” he explains.
But then, the filmmaker is also worried about his project, damaged by the strike: “Today was supposed to be the first day of filming for Tron: Ares (…) Instead, the film is stopped and more than 150 people have been fired. It’s indefinite, which makes it even more difficult for everyone. AMPTP, SAG-AFTRA and WGA must speed up the negotiations, and not walk away from the table until an agreement is reached”he continues.
“This is Hollywood, where deals are made every morning. Why are we suddenly taking so much time when every day is so precious? These strategies are extremely frustrating. It is time to be diplomatic so that we can get back to work, under fair conditions for everyone”he concludes.
Directed by Steven Lisberger and worn by Jeff Bridges, the first tron, released in 1982, became cult, in particular for its innovative special effects. In 2010, Joseph Kosinski signed the second opus, The Legacywith Olivia Wilde and Garrett Hedlund.