According to a new report, some hottest panels pull out of the biggest pop culture fan event as actors join the picket lines to fight for better pay, conditions and benefits.
- Jul 14, 2023
AceShowbiz - San Diego Comic-Con is affected by the SAG-AFTRA strike. According to a new report, some hottest panels have decided to pull out of the biggest pop culture fan event due to the ongoing actors' strike.
TMZ claims that ABC's "The Rookie" has pulled the plug on its scheduled signing event. The crime procedural recently concluded its fifth season and is set to return for season 6. Joining "The Rookie" to cancel their panel appearance at the West Coast's biggest convention were "That '70s Show" and Prime Video's "Good Omens".
"Good Omens" initially planned to do both a panel and a signing, but has now pivoted to have a screening of the season 2 premiere episode at the popular event. Meanwhile, "That '70s Show" has canceled its anniversary panel.
SDCC is expected to hold panels as well as meet and greets next week, but several of them may potentially announce their cancellation at a later date. Among them is "Abbott Elementary", which season 3 is currently on hold following the start of the writers' strike. Other scheduled panels are "Futurama", "The Wheel of Time" and "What We Do in the Shadows".
Meanwhile, a handful of studios have opted to skip SDCC or scale back their typical plans for the event. Marvel will not be holding a Hall H presentation this year. It's also said that Universal and HBO consider not attending the event. As for Lionsgate, it allegedly plans to focus on its television slate, including CBS' "Ghosts", Peacock's "John Wick" spin-off "The Continental" and STARZ's "Heels".
On Friday, July 14, SAG-AFTRA officially began its strike as actors join the picket lines to fight for better pay, conditions and benefits. Prior to that, the national board met and voted unanimously to strike after its contract ran out on Wednesday night, following a 2-week extension at the end of June to keep negotiations with the studios going. Even after a federal mediator joined their negotiation talks, the union and the studios failed to reach an agreement.
