Tom Cruise backs Hollywood strike in battle against AI

Tom Cruise has lent his support to striking actors as industrial action kicked off across Hollywood last week.

The 61-year-old Mission Impossible star, who has paused filming the latest instalment of the blockbuster action franchise, also reportedly appeared at a recent negotiation session between SAG-AFTRA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).

Hollywood A-lister Cruise is said to have tried to appeal to the AMPTP to consider better regulation of artificial intelligence (A.I.) in the industry at a Zoom meeting in June, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The union SAG-AFTRA doesn’t want to ban A.I, however, it does want to ensure any use of a performer’s likeness to create something new is done with consent from the individual.

Moreover, the union wants to ensure if an A.I. performance is generated then the person is fairly compensated.

The Screen Actors Guild has previously said to have drafted actors in to participate in negotiations in the past.

However, Cruise is thought to be one of the biggest names brought in by the union to offer their voice in the talks.

Some of the other points of discussion from Cruise were on the use of stunt performers with the star asking AMPTP to back the union’s proposals.

He is also said to have asked the union to consider allowing performers to promote their movies amid the ongoing strike given the state of movie theaters after the coronavirus pandemic, which decimated the industry globally.

At present, striking members cannot continue with publicity, which includes conventions, interviews, tours or other promotion including on social media.

Cruise’s participation comes after businessman and media mogul Barry Diller warned the highest-paid actors should take a 25percent pay cut to help the film and television industry.

Miller, 81, appeared on CBS’ Face the Nation at the weekend and said: “Everybody’s probably overpaid at the top end.

“The one idea I had is to say, as a good faith measure, both the executives and the most-paid actors should take a 25 percent pay cut to try and narrow the difference between those who get highly paid and those that don’t.”

Although Diller didn’t mention Cruise, the Top Gun star is one of the top-paid actors in Hollywood and is thought to have made $1billion during his career so far.

Daily Express US has approached representatives for Tom Cruise for comment on this story.