The cast of Oppenheimer stunned on the red carpet of the UK premiere moment before walking out on strike (Picture: Shutterstock)
The cast of Oppenheimer laughed and joked with one another at the UK premiere for the film – moments before walking out on strike.
Emily Blunt, Cillian Murphy, Florence Pugh, Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr and more hit central London on Thursday night for the star-studded European premiere of the eagerly-anticipated film.
However in a shock move, each of the stars left halfway through as the actors’ strike was officially confirmed, with talks breaking down after weeks.
Director Christopher Nolan told the cinema’s audience the actors had left after the red carpet, ‘to write their picket signs for what we believe to be an imminent strike by Sag, joining one of my guilds, the Writers Guild, in the struggle for fair wages for working members of the unions, and we support them.’
Fans had indeed seen the A-listers on the red carpet just moments before, with the cast looking absolutely stunning – and appearing in majorly high spirits – before joining the picket line.
Emily and Florence shared a cuddle and a laugh on the carpet, clinging on to each other in a fit of giggles, with Florence’s hands around Emily’s waist.
Emily and Florence shared a laugh and cuddle at the premiere in London (Picture: Getty Images Europe)
Emily had confirmed they planned to walk out if it came to it, but at the premiere appeared relaxed and happy (Picture: Rex Features)
Emily was later snapped with leading man Cillian, looking mock-serious as he offered a smile to cameras, her arm over his shoulder and his hand on her waist.
The cast appeared relaxed and happy as they posed together, with the imminent strike seemingly far from their minds, as in one photo they were all caught mid-laugh.
RDJ in particular was seen messing around with fans and for the cameras, giving thumbs up, grinning and almost dancing around the red carpet.
The main cast were joined by the likes of Rami Malek and Kenneth Brannagh at the star-studded premiere where everyone appeared in top spirits (Picture: Getty Images Europe)
The threat of strike action appeared far from their minds as the A-listers larked about at the premiere (Picture: Invision/AP)
Robert Downey Jr offered fans a thumbs up and a grin as he attended the premiere (Picture: Getty Images Europe)
Florence looked absolutely divine in a flowing red dress, eerily blending in with the poster of the film showing a devastating explosion, as striking as ever with her shorn blonde hair and dark eye makeup.
A Quiet Place star Emily oozed glamour in a black dress pointedly cut out to show off her body, her legs visible through black tassels from her thighs to her feet, and matched with open-toed heels.
Florence looked breathtaking in her fiery red gown (Picture: WireImage)
Emily stunned in a sleek black affair, grinning for cameras (Picture: WireImage)
Cillian donned a smart black suit, with the black shirt semi-sheer, while Matt too opted for a well-cut black suit and plain white t-shirt underneath.
Given the stars’ demeanour on the carpet, excited fans watching on would never have expected they were about to cut the night short in solidarity with other strikers.
However both Matt and Emily had confirmed during the walk on the carpet that they intended to do just that if it came to it.
Matt told Variety: ‘Look, if it’s called now, everyone’s going to walk obviously in solidarity.
‘Once the strike is officially called, [we’re walking].
Emily shared the sentiment to Deadline, saying: ‘‘I hope everyone makes a fair deal, and we are here to celebrate this movie. And if they call it, we’ll be leaving together as cast in unity with everyone.
‘We are gonna have to. We are gonna have to. We will see what happens. Right now it’s the joy to be together.’
The stars are taking part in the Hollywood strike, the first of its kind in 40 years (Picture: AFP)
Their exit comes as US union Sag-Aftra confirmed its first major members strike in more than 40 years.
The US union and Hollywood studios failed to reach an agreement after more than four weeks of negotiations, with actors wanting better pay and increased safeguarding around artificial intelligence (AI) rights among their demands.
The union directed all its members to immediately stop working on all scripted film and TV around the world.
It is now anticipated the strike will affect upcoming award shows, premieres, events, and film festivals around the world, including the Toronto and Venice film festivals, and the 75th Emmys.
The likes of Doctor Who, Emily in Paris, House of the Dragon, The White Lotus, and more huge 2023/2024 projects are also likely to be impacted.
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The A-listers walked out of the premiere as a strike was called.
