Update: After Stephen Amell's “I do not support striking” comment invited backlash on social media, the 'Heels' actor took to Instagram to clarify his comments.
Amell claimed that his support for the actors union is “unconditional” but added, “Of course I don’t like striking. Nobody does. But we have to do what we have to do.”
Amell further wrote, “I’m an actor and I was speaking extemporaneously for over an hour. I emote, but I certainly don’t think these issues are simple. Our leadership has an incredibly complicated job and I am grateful for all that they do. Despite some of my terrible early acting work, I assure you, I’m not a robot. From an intellectual perspective, I understand why we are striking, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t emotionally frustrating on many levels for all involved.”
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RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA: 'The Arrow' star Stephen Amell was one of the few high-profile actors and SAG-AFTRA members who voiced his opinion against the ongoing actors' strike led by Fran Drescher. The actor, whose Starz drama series 'Heels' returned for Season 2 over the weekend, recently appeared at the GalaxyCon in North Carolina and commented on his opposition to the protest in response to a fan who questioned him.
While Amell dubbed the strike as "a reductive negotiating tactic" and called the nature of the protest "myopic," he made sure to clarify that he still supports the union and stands with them despite not supporting the strike, as per Deadline. Amell's comments went viral with immediate effect and prompted social media users to troll the actor with a barrage of memes and funny remarks.
What did Stephen Amell say?
Speaking to a fan about the SAG-AFTRA strike at the North GalaxyCon, Amell said, "I support my union, I do, and I stand with them, but I do not support striking, I don’t." He continued, "I think it is a reductive negotiating tactic, and I find the entire thing incredibly frustrating." The actor further added, "And I think the thinking as it pertains to shows like the show that I’m on ['Heels'], that premiered last night, I think it’s myopic."
The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), the largest Hollywood union representing all performers on film and television, began protesting against the Alliance of Motion Pictures and Television Producers (AMPTP) after failing to negotiate a deal following demands of higher compensation in the era of streaming and concerns about the use of AI (Artificial Intelligence).
The SGA-AFTRA members joined more than 11,000 members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) who went on strike in May. Back in June, nearly 98% of the SAG-AFTRA members voted in favor of a walkout before ultimately going on strike on July 13. This is the first Hollywood strike involving both actors and writers since the 1960s. Several A-listers like Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, George Clooney, Emily Blunt, Margot Robbie, Jane Fonda, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Meryl Streep, among others, have voiced their support for the strike while thousands have joined picket lines in Los Angeles and New York.
'This guy doesn't mind being replaced by AI'
Several social media users took to Twitter to troll Amell after his comments. "Stephen Amell probably just ruined his rep with a single statement. Nobody is gonna wanna work with him anymore. Idk if he realizes that," one wrote. "Stephen Amell to his career," one said with a popular grave meme. "Stephen Amell when the SAG strike ends and he has to see all his costars back on set," another added with a 'Squidward' meme. "Dude," a fourth simply wrote with a gif reading "black list." One said, "This guy doesn't mind being replaced by AI, it seems" while another mocked, "Fine, then cross the picket line, and… oh, wait! I just realized that no one wants to hire you!" One tweeted, "Suddenly all those rumors and stories about how everyone else in the arrowverse hated him, and that the photos of them all celebrating over his characters grave were legit (and he hates them) make soooo much more sense" and another stated, "Wow he will never get another role in Hollywood again." One even said, "Yeah this is NOT a good look for him and shows the type of guy he is!" While another simply said, "RIP in peace to that man’s Hollywood career."
