Zachary Levi, renowned for his role in Shazam!, is providing context for his comments that gained widespread attention concerning the SAG-AFTRA strike regulations.
Following an exchange of light-hearted remarks during a fan event, Levi’s comments became viral when he criticized the guild’s limitations on promoting studio content, labeling them “so dumb.”
Addressing the situation on Friday, Levi released a statement, emphasizing, “I have become aware that a casual remark I made in jest over the past weekend has been misconstrued. Allow me to clarify unequivocally. I stand fully behind my union, the WGA, and their strike efforts. Since embarking on my journey in this industry a quarter-century ago, I have consistently voiced my concerns about the exploitative system artists have had to operate within.”
Levi continued, underscoring his stance, “This strike is an imperative safeguard aimed at protecting us, our writers, and the entire production workforce that drives the industry forward.”
The actor acknowledged the importance of buying fans during this strike, recognizing their unwavering support. “Even as we navigate this strike, we must not overlook our fans. These individuals invest not only their resources but also their enthusiasm, often traveling significant distances to engage with us about our work, work that holds immense significance for them. Our industry thrives on the foundation of our fanbase, and we must show them gratitude for bolstering our careers.”
Levi’s appearance, seemingly at the Manchester Comic-Con held in the U.K. the previous month, involved discussing his past works, including Chuck, Tangled, and The Shazam! Films. In a clip, he humorously remarked, “I’m prohibited from discussing… this just feels absurd. I’m forbidden from delving into my previous projects. I can’t even hint at potential superhero roles in movies. Even TV shows where I portrayed a geek working at Best Buy are off-limits. And let’s not even mention the animated princess movies where I excelled as the finest prince ever! Those topics are strictly off-limits.”
Although Levi intended to convey a sense of playfulness while expressing remorse about letting down his devoted fans, his remarks sparked criticism as they circulated late on Thursday. Comparisons were drawn between Levi and Stephen Amell, star of Arrow, who recently faced backlash after declaring his lack of support for the strike and denoting it as a “simplistic bargaining strategy” (subsequently retracting his statement in a formal clarification).
In a video posted last month, Levi had previously taken to Instagram to deliver a spirited defense of the strike. He stated, “The executives at the studios place little importance on human lives, prioritizing profits over everything else. The equation has always been profits over people, and not the reverse. Therefore, I emphasize that if we don’t undertake a substantial action at this juncture, we are indeed engaging in a significant act of protest. This is a step we should have taken years ago.”
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