Stephen Amell went to Instagram to explain statements he made on the SAG strike while attending GalaxyCon in Raleigh, North Carolina, publishing a lengthy note in the comment area of an Instagram photo directing viewers to “please read below.” “Understandably, there has been a lot of reaction to the comments I made this weekend about our strike,” Amell writes in a statement. “I’m providing what I actually said and clarity/context to ensure my feelings aren’t unintentionally misinterpreted to ensure there is no misunderstanding about my thoughts and intentions.”
Amell then goes on to offer “full context” and clarify the words he was caught on camera making at GalaxyCon, when he claimed to support the actor’s union while calling their strike “myopic” and “a reductive negotiating tactic.” He reiterates that he supports and stands with the actor’s union before claiming that his statements about not backing strike action were “clearly contradictory to my true feelings and my emphatic statement that I stand with my union.”
Amell explained that he believes striking is a “reductive negotiating tactic” and that SAG-AFTRA leadership, headed by president Fran Drescher, has a “incredibly complicated job,” and that he is “grateful for all that they do.” He continues: “Despite some of my terrible early acting work, I assure you, I’m not a robot. From an academic standpoint, I understand why we are striking, but it doesn’t mean it isn’t emotionally draining for everyone involved.”
In his last Instagram remark, he addressed his previous statement that he found that strike shortsighted, admitting that he had “no clue what I was trying to say here” and chalking it up to “an inarticulate shoutout to our crew and cast, who mean the world to me.”
Finally, Amell reiterates his support for his union and hints that, despite his prior views, he will soon express public support for the strike: “When you see me on the picket line, please don’t whip any hard fruit.”
Amell spoke out against the strike while visiting GalaxyCon in Raleigh, North Carolina. “I feel isolated in Hollywood because that’s where I live.” I almost live in Hollywood. Just like every other stereotype. “I feel like a lot of people in this room aren’t aware of the strike,” Amell said during the panel’s Q&A session.
I believe it is a reductive negotiating tactic, and I find the entire situation extremely frustrating. And I believe that the mentality in regards to series like the one I’m on [Heels], which aired last night, is shortsighted.”
Last Friday, Amell’s series Heels returned to Starz for a second season. According to the SAG Strike rules, Guild members “cannot participate in conventions such as Comic-Con on behalf of, or to promote, companies we are striking against—this includes appearances, panels, fan meet and greets, etc., involving struck work.” According to The Wrap, Amell went to the convention to sign autographs and talk to fans about himself, rather than to promote Heels or any of his other projects.
Amell is one of the few actors who has spoken out against the SAG-AFTRA strike, which nearly 98% of SAG-AFTRA members supported in June. The actors union, led by SAG president Fran Drescher, went on strike on July 14 against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, joining the Writers Guild of America, which has been on strike since May 2. The industry is currently experiencing its first dual strike in 63 years.
While Amell did not technically violate SAG rules by attending GalaxyCon, other members of the Arrowverse. Matt Letscher, who portrayed Eobard Thawne/Reverse-Flash on The Flash and Legends of Tomorrow for the CW, tweeted, “Still waiting on that comprehensive list of totally non-reductive negotiating tactics we get to employ now.” Kirk Acevedo, who played comic book villain Ricardo Diaz/The Dragon on Arrow, put it more bluntly, retweeting a Hollywood Reporter story about Amell’s GalaxyCon comments and writing, “This fucking guy.”
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