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Hollywood Actors’ Union Notes Disagreements with Studios’ Offer, Including AI 

The SAG-AFTRA building, home to the US labor union that represents film and television actors, singers, and other performers, is seen in Los Angeles, California, on July 13, 2023. (AFP)
The SAG-AFTRA building, home to the US labor union that represents film and television actors, singers, and other performers, is seen in Los Angeles, California, on July 13, 2023. (AFP)
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Hollywood Actors’ Union Notes Disagreements with Studios’ Offer, Including AI 

The SAG-AFTRA building, home to the US labor union that represents film and television actors, singers, and other performers, is seen in Los Angeles, California, on July 13, 2023. (AFP)
The SAG-AFTRA building, home to the US labor union that represents film and television actors, singers, and other performers, is seen in Los Angeles, California, on July 13, 2023. (AFP)

The Hollywood actors' union on Monday responded to the latest offer from the major studios and streamers, saying they have yet to reach agreement on several items, including the use of artificial intelligence.

The SAG-AFTRA union posted a message on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, saying its negotiating committee is determined to secure the best deal and bring a responsible end to the strike.

"We're at a critical point in our industry," the union said. "We need a fair contract to make sure this career is viable now AND in the future."

SAG-AFTRA members walked off the job in July to demand higher compensation in the streaming TV era plus protections around the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and other gains.

The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), which represents Walt Disney, Netflix and other companies, presented what the studios described as their "last, best and final" offer on Saturday, SAG-AFTRA leadership said in an update to members.

Last week, union leaders expressed "cautious optimism" that a deal could be reached soon but also said there were gaps between the two sides on various issues including the use of AI. Actors are seeking assurances that their digital likenesses will not be used without their permission.

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Jennifer Lopez Identifies with Real-Life Mom in ‘Unstoppable’ Film

Cast member Jennifer Lopez attends a photo call for the film "Unstoppable" during AFI Fest, in Los Angeles, California, US, October 26, 2024. (Reuters)
Cast member Jennifer Lopez attends a photo call for the film "Unstoppable" during AFI Fest, in Los Angeles, California, US, October 26, 2024. (Reuters)
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Jennifer Lopez Identifies with Real-Life Mom in ‘Unstoppable’ Film

Cast member Jennifer Lopez attends a photo call for the film "Unstoppable" during AFI Fest, in Los Angeles, California, US, October 26, 2024. (Reuters)
Cast member Jennifer Lopez attends a photo call for the film "Unstoppable" during AFI Fest, in Los Angeles, California, US, October 26, 2024. (Reuters)

Jennifer Lopez found herself in tears as the real-life mom Judy Robles, whom she portrayed in the sports drama film "Unstoppable", showered her with compliments for her performance.

The two real-life mothers formed a special bond while working in tandem to take Lopez's role to the next level and connected on how mothers inevitably make mistakes.

"I don't know of a human being who doesn't make mistakes," Lopez said.

"But for moms, it really is a thing where you're always putting up the front of, like, 'everything's perfect,' 'everything's OK,' to protect your children, to give them safety," she added.

For Lopez, women, especially moms, have so much going on behind the scenes, which is a belief that helped her performance.

"Unstoppable," distributed by Amazon MGM Studios, had a limited theatrical US release on Dec. 6 and will be available for streaming on Prime Video on Jan. 16.

The American biographical sports drama film, directed by William Goldenberg, follows wrestler Anthony Robles, who was born with one leg, and joins the Arizona State University wrestling team as a walk-on, eventually earning a spot on the team and making a name for himself.

His mother must find ways to not only advocate for her son, but also for herself.

Goldenberg aimed to add authenticity to the film by having the real-life Robles serve as the body double of the "Moonlight" actor Jharrel Jerome, who portrays Anthony.

Jerome said he became a changed man after working so closely with Anthony Robles.

"You hear actors say it all the time, I learned something, I learned something, but this truly shaped me and changed me as a growing person, as a growing man, all the way down to my physicality, how I move, my posture, my gym routine," Jerome said.

He and his mother being so close to the production made things feel especially nostalgic for Anthony Robles.

"I feel like I go through the roller coaster of emotions all over again and I'm just traveling back in time, just watching the film and especially when I'm sitting next to my mom, because there are certain moments where she's gripping my arm in the audience," Anthony Robles said.

"It's painful for us to relive those moments. But also, there's other moments she's grabbed my arm again, just happy moments. And so that's something special for us," Robles added.