Viola Davis Pauses ‘G20’ Despite Film’s SAG-AFTRA Waiver: Not ‘Appropriate’ To ‘Move Forward’ During Strike
29.07.2023 - 21:23
/ etcanada.com
Viola Davis is backing away from “G20” in a move that may put pressure on other A-listers.
The EGOT winner says she’s stepping away from the project even after the film got the SAG-AFTRA interim agreement necessary to start production.
“I love this movie, but I do not feel that it would be appropriate for this production to move forward during the strike,” said the 57-year-old in a statement obtained by ET. “I appreciate that the producers on the project agree with this decision. JuVee Productions and I stand in solidarity with actors, SAG/AFTRA and the WGA.”
On Friday, SAG-AFTRA shared via its website that “G20” was approved for a waiver. Davis was set to produce and star in the film that secured the go-ahead from the actors guild, even given the involvement of Amazon Studios, because the project hails from the non AMPTP-affiliated MRC and will only be distributed by Amazon.
Earlier this month, Davis took to Instagram to show her support, saying, “I stand in solidarity with my Union and actors.”
According to Deadline, the actors guild has handed out more than 100 interim agreements to movies and series, in total, since the SAG-AFTRA walkout this month.
Patricia Riggen, who directed “The 33” and “Miracles From Heaven”, is set to helm the feature, with Davis and Julius Tennon, her husband and partner at JuVee Productions, joining Andrew Lazar of Mad Chance as producers.
The script, by Noah and Logan Miller (“White Boy Rick”), with revisions by Caitlin Parrish and Erica Weiss (“The Red Lion”), is set at the G20 Summit, which is overtaken by terrorists. Davis is playing the American president, named Taylor Sutton, who must bring all her statecraft and military experience to bear to defend her family, her fellow leaders,