Photo: Rich Polk/Getty
On Thursday, a clip from 42-year-old Levi’s recent appearance at ManchesterComic-Conin the United Kingdom surfaced onTikTok. The video shows theShazam!star laughing as he addresses SAG-AFTRA’s strike rules, saying, “I’m not allowed to talk about — this is so dumb — I’m not allowed to talk about any of my previous work.”
Levi then appeared to reference his twoShazam!movies, his work on the television seriesChuckand his role in the 2010 animated filmTangled.
“It’s come to my attention that an offhand remark I made in jest last weekend is being taken out of context. So let me be very clear. I fully support my union, the WGA, and the strike," Levi said. “I remain an outspoken critic of the exploitative system that us artists are subject to work in since I started my journey in this business 25 years ago.”
The actors' strike entered its third week on Thursday, while Hollywood writers have been on strike since May. Levi said in his statement that he believes the strike “is necessary to protect ourselves, our writers, and all those working in production who make the industry move.”
“But we also cannot forget our fans during this strike. Fans that spend their money and energy traveling far distances to talk with us about our work that means so much to them, we should be able to engage,” he added. “Our business exists and succeeds because of the fans, and I think it’s imperative we appreciate them for their support of our careers.”
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The actor previously shared strong support for the strike during anInstagramlive stream just days after the strike began in July.
In the video, Levi noted that issues regarding residual pay and artificial intelligence are major concerns for the guild as he explained to his social media followers that “what’s at stake here is not just a bunch of privileged people trying to hold on to their privilege.”
Michael Tullberg/Getty
“[Studio executives] do not care about human life. They do not care about life in general. They care about profits. It’s always profits over people and not the other way around,” Levis said at the time. “So mark my words, if we don’t do something drastic — right now we are doing something drastic and we need to be doing this very drastic thing. We need to be striking.”
Levi most recently appeared inShazam! Fury of the GodsandHarold and the Purple Crayon. He will next appear in filmmaker Robert Rodriguez’sSpy Kids: Armageddon, which premieres on Netflix Sept. 22.
source: people.com
