'God Handles The Rest': Hit Angel Studios Series 'The Chosen' Updates Fans On Its Future Amid Hollywood Strike

Despite the news of the full strike being carried out by the actors union SAG-AFTRA, the breakout Christian drama from Angel Studios 'The Chosen,' starring Jonathan Roumie, will continue production into Season 4 through an exemption issued to the independent studio by the union. 

According to Breitbart News, the union is known to be issuing a limited number of exemptions with independent firms, unaffiliated with major studios being singled out for relief. The strike declaration came July 13th in the midst of the third month of a writer's strike that has paralyzed a majority of major productions throughout the industry.

Union leaders told the press in a statement on Thursday, reported by the outlet, that the studios have remained "unwilling to offer a fair deal on the key issues that are essential to SAG-AFTRA members." Increased compensation commensurate with streaming on-demand and guarantees against the potential replacement of actors by AI-generated content are major sticking points.

SAG-AFTRA represents 160,000 actors and broadcast journalists across the country. President of the Union Fran Drescher, of 90s TV fame for her role as 'The Nanny,' told reporters in a statement that the Screen Actors Guild "negotiated in good faith," however, "the AMPTP’s responses to the union’s most important proposals have been insulting and disrespectful of our massive contributions to this industry."

In a thread posted to Twitter, 'The Chosen' creator Dallas Jenkins initially wrote Thursday that despite the request for an exemption they did lose a day of shooting,

"Important update from Dallas on the Screen Actor’s Guild strike, which starts tonight: Unfortunately, despite the requested work we did on our end, an exemption for us will not be granted in time to avoid a shutdown. We will do a little filming tomorrow of everything that doesn’t require our cast, and then we’ll wait and hope that either the strike ends (unlikely soon), or that we’re granted an exemption and can resume filming. Yes, it’s upsetting and will cost time and money…but we bring our 5 loaves & 2 fish. God handles the rest."

However, by Sunday the situation had changed with an update. "Great news! We just received word from SAG that we have been approved for a waiver. We’ll continue shooting on Monday."

The production clarified the situation, "To be clear: 1. We’ve agreed to all of SAG’s requests and their interim agreement. 2. Season 4 is entirely independent and 100% funded by donations." 

Confused commenters asked why a studio "operating outside the Hollywood system/studios" would be impacted. The production answered "While we are independent, the actors we employ are SAG actors. The union is striking, and that applies to all in the union."

Jenkins had reportedly pressed SAG-AFTRA for the exemption in a letter posted to Instagram, "We’ve submitted all the requested paperwork immediately,” he wrote. “We fit all qualifications for an exemption. Every day that goes by without your response costs us hundreds of thousands of dollars while your actors are stuck in Utah. We’re the good guys. We’ve treated your actors well."
 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Dallas Jenkins (@dallas.jenkins)

Based upon the result it appears that SAG-AFTRA agrees that Angel Studios are indeed "the good guys." Based on the ratings, their audiences seem to concur. Even amidst something as ugly as a strike, at least the parties can agree that 'The Chosen' and its message of faith need to continue.

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