The cast of 'Breaking Bad', including Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul and Jesse Plemons, as well as the cast of 'Better Call Saul', joined the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strike picket line outside Sony Pictures Studio in solidarity with striking actors and writers. They spoke about the issues on the table that matter to them most, including residuals and the use AI.
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00:00 "You are dehumanizing the workforce and it cannot continue."
00:05 The cast of Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul took to the SAG-AFTRA and WGA picket lines on
00:10 Tuesday in support of both the actors and writer strikes. "We're here in solidarity
00:16 with all of us, all our brothers and sisters who are affected by this in the WGA and SAG."
00:23 The actors, as well as Breaking Bad executive producer and Better Call Saul showrunner Peter
00:27 Gould, joined the line outside Sony Pictures Studios as Sony produced both series. The TV
00:33 stars spoke to The Hollywood Reporter about why it was important to come out and show their support
00:37 for the first double strike of actors and writers since 1960. "We're just looking for an equitable
00:42 contract, something that makes the working actor able to pay their bills, pay their rent, buy food
00:50 for their families. I mean it's really to that point, it's a watershed moment." They also weighed
00:55 in on the issues that matter to them the most. "Residuals and you know protection against AI. I
01:01 mean you know I started acting quite a while ago and yeah that's how people survive when they're
01:11 not working." "This contract will have a sentence in there that states actors must be human beings.
01:21 This is mind-boggling but that's what it will say and the same thing with the Writers Guild
01:27 contract. Must be written by a human being. We've never had to imagine that before but that's here
01:35 right now. It's possible of happening right now and we have to step in and say you are dehumanizing
01:43 the workforce and it cannot continue." The actors shared more their thoughts on AI which is a key
01:50 issue for both the performers and writers unions. "Do you think we would have ever had Breaking Bad
01:55 and Better Call Saul if we were relying on AI? AI Breaking Bad? The new series coming this fall,
02:02 AI Breaking Bad. Peter Gould's a character in it. The robot writes him. It's so meta. It's so meta."
02:11 The WGA has been on strike since May 2nd while SAG-AFTRA called a work stoppage on July 13th.
02:17 For the latest updates on both the actors and writers strikes, head to THR.com.
02:22 For The Hollywood Reporter News, I'm Tiffany Taylor.