The Hunger Games prequel lands SAG-AFTRA interim agreement amid strike – know what it means

Since July 14, members of SAG-AFTRA have been on strike over an ongoing labour dispute with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). The rules of the strike prohibit actors from shooting and promoting their films, among other restrictions.

However, some independent films and television productions have been filming after reaching agreements with the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists that will allow them to continue with union actors amid the strike. It’s a move that the union leadership says is an essential negotiating tactic. With The Hunger Games prequel landing interim agreement from SAG-AFTRA, its leading stars Rachel Zegler, Tom Blyth, Viola Davis, Peter Dinklage and Hunter Schafer are allowed to promote the film before it premieres in theaters on November 17.

Rachel Zegler stars in The Hunger Games | Image: YouTube screengrabWhy The Hunger Games prequel landed SAG-AFTRA interim agreements

According to Variety, to get an interim agreement, producers must operate independently from comp.es belonging to the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers and agree to terms proposed by the guild in its negotiations. Since Lionsgate, the production house backing The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, is not part of the AMPTP, its theatrical releases are eligible for interim agreements.

Rachel Zegler, Tom Blyth in a still from The Hunger Games prequel | Image: The Hunger Games/InstagramAs a result, the actors are allowed to promote the film ahead of its release. However, according to the publication, it is unclear how the makers were able to land the interim agreement, especially when Dumb Money, a very recent release could not get it and struggled at the box office. Meanwhile, a lot of the titles have shifted their release date to 2024 due to the ongoing strike.

The Hunger Games prequel cast set to promote film

With the interim agreement in place, The Hunger Games prequel cast is expected to attend the film’s premieres in Berlin and London, followed by a fan event in Los Angeles. Moreover, the cast can post about the film on social media as well.