It's hard to imagine any actor in Hollywood who makes the studio and network CEOs swoon more than Tom Hanks. So the fact that he has gone public and shamed them for breaking off bargaining talks with the Writers Guild is hitting them where it hurts: their public image. The two-time Oscar winner just gave an interview to Reuters in London saying that as a member of the Academy Of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences he wants to see the Oscar ceremony held as usual but warned the studios and networks will lose the Academy Awards ceremony just like they did the Golden Globes show unless AMPTP returns to the table and gets serious about negotiating.
Certainly anyone in sympathy with the striking writers has been waiting for a big Triple-A list star to step up and take a leadership position calling out the Hollywood CEOs for their intransigence. And if that's the stick, then the carrot is the Academy Awards slated for February 24. "The show must go on, that is one of the tenets of everything," Hanks told Reuters on the red carpet at the London premiere of Charlie Wilson's War. "I am a member of the board of governors of the Academy, and we definitely want to put on a great show and honor the films that have come out in the course of the year." Hanks said. "I just hope that the big guys who make big decisions, up high in their corporate boardrooms and what not, get down to honest bargaining and everyone can get back to work."
This is not what the Big Media bigwigs want to hear -- a popular star like Hanks whom they respect calling them out. So if Hanks is now at the head of the line, then Will Smith, George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Reese Witherspoon, Russell Crowe, Denzel Washington, Jodie Foster, Julia Roberts and other AAA-listers need to follow his lead. As I wrote way back on November 7th and have said repeatedly since, the only time I've ever heard of Hollywood CEOs caving on a major negotiation is when they get in the same room with a Tom Hanks. There's just something so needy within the Hollywood moguls' psyche that they want to be liked and respected by the creatives they in turn like and respect. (I assume this is why these businessmen make TV and movies instead of toothpaste and mattresses.) Therefore, any professional, personal and even psychological pressure put by these top-of-the-heap artists on the studio and network bosses could make all the difference. Some of that is going on, but not enough.
Bravo to Hanks.
It’s about time someone on the mythical ‘A-List’ took a stand when most stand by in silence. The dirty little secret in Hollywood is that the last thing most A-Listers want is a more equitable revenue sharing because it might lead to studios taking a long hard look at how much they really cost, and how much money they really bring in.
Most of the ‘A-List’ actors today couldn’t sell a movie ticket if the theatre was the only place safe from a horde of rampaging zombie monkeys, yet they still get $15-$20 million a picture and enough gross points to make sure the film never makes a profit.
Maybe Hanks took a look at his bank balance and decided that he had the “F-You Money” squirrelled away to say what needs to be said.
Comment by Furious D — January 10, 2008 @ 1:08 pm
Welcome news!
Memo to Verrone and Rosenberg - it may be time for another big rally like the one last month on Hollywood Boulevard.
Comment by mheister — January 10, 2008 @ 1:08 pm
This is my opinion…
What Tom Hnaks’ statement means:
1) He is publicly supporting the writers
2) His statement that the show must go on is not directed towards the the AMPTP, but rather at the WGA leadership (remember that the AMPTP is not threatening the show the WGA is). He is sending a stern message to the WGA (regarding the current supprt of SAG and the fans while) while still showing great public support.
I said back before xmas that the WGA would have to allow the Oscars proceed because of its importance to all involved. This statement from Hanks’ just confirms the WGA is going to have to backoff of picketing the Oscars or they will loose the support of the actors.
Comment by Intrigued — January 10, 2008 @ 1:20 pm
“So if Hanks is now at the head of the line, then Will Smith, George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Reese Witherspoon, Russell Crowe, Denzel Washington, Jodie Foster, Julia Roberts and other AAA-listers need to follow his lead.”
—-
I couldn’t agree with you more. I was watching Extra or one of those type shows on Tuesday. Queen Latifah was being interviewed. She said something along the lines that the writers need to get back to the bargaining table to resolve the strike. I was livid and cursed her through the tv. I’m appalled that she’s so out of touch with what’s going on. Kudos to Tom for making a stand. I hope others will follow suit. It’s long overdue at this point.
I’m not sure what it’s going to take to get the AMPTP to return to the table short of a miracle. But am I a firm believer in miracles. And if that comes by way of AAA list talent then preach on.
Comment by No Hate in '08 — January 10, 2008 @ 1:36 pm
Thanks, Tom. You’re one of the good guys.
Comment by DLJ — January 10, 2008 @ 1:50 pm
Well, isn’t this just stereotypical Tom Hanks for you. Likeable and heroic.
Comment by TVFan — January 10, 2008 @ 1:51 pm
“”I just hope that the big guys who make big decisions, up high in their corporate boardrooms and what not, get down to honest bargaining and everyone can get back to work.”
I hear that sentiment echoed a lot, but I’d say they did make a decision when they said ‘forget it’ after the last proposal.
WGA trumpeting the fact that they are ‘waiting at the table’ isn’t enough. The leadership needs to make another proposal not just play the ‘well we’re waiting for you to pay what you already said you won’t pay’ game. The big wigs do have a responsibility to shareholders and it is, after all, still their money. Sure a show without a writer sucks, but a show without money isn’t ever going to be a show.
Reuters (or the AP) just ran a story on how online video viewer ship has been soaring during the strike. TV is rapidly becoming obsolete and people don’t necessarily need ‘Hollywood’ entertainment online to keep them amused anymore.
Both sides may as well hand each other shovels and dig their own graves at this point.
Comment by MT-vA — January 10, 2008 @ 1:55 pm
TOM HANKS! You are awesome. How is that $100,000 PR firm going to explain his comments away? I really hope other AAAs will follow suit. Let’s get this town back to work.
Comment by ssSS — January 10, 2008 @ 2:01 pm
I took both Stewart and Colbert off my TiVo today. They’re clearly writing and there’s no doubt they have scab writers also doing some of the writing for them. Stewart’s even having correspondents (using some bullshit “deportation” excuse), etc. etc. Both Jon and Stephen are an embarrassment and neither has been at all supportive of the writers since going back on the air.
Why? Stewart wants to host those Oscars soooooo bad it hurts. That’s all this boils down to. Jon and his ego wanting to be put on display in front of a billion people in February. No writers, that won’t end up happening. So Jon is going to sink to any level of lowness he needs to to break up the guild and get his slaves … er … writers back to work.
Comment by sloopydrew — January 10, 2008 @ 2:02 pm
Thanks, Tom!
Comment by oceanbluela — January 10, 2008 @ 2:09 pm
The truly amazing thing is that it took ten weeks for any major star to finally say something. Hanks is a Guild member! So are George Clooney, Matt Damon, and (I think) Will Smith. Putting showrunners on Youtube videos is all well and good, but if you want actual PR, you need stars.
Comment by TV Showrunner — January 10, 2008 @ 2:13 pm
Well the way I’m reading this is that Stars want the strike to be “suspended” (or whatever you wish to call it ) so they could go and have their day of glory.
Beyond that I don’t think they care since the features have ton of scripts and some of the feature writers have new deals.
Looks like this TV season is DONE.
BTW. Oscars were NEVER canceled.
Soon to be unemployed postprodGUY.
Comment by PostProd.LA — January 10, 2008 @ 2:28 pm
It’s about effing time. The only way to make any progress with the CEOs is to hit them in their egos.
Comment by WGA to be — January 10, 2008 @ 2:33 pm
It’s about time that someone of Hanks stature got up and said something. The next one should be Spielberg. He has the clout
Comment by plain old joe — January 10, 2008 @ 2:34 pm
Clearly the Tom’s have it with this strike: first, Cruise, now Hanks. If the Weinsteins announce their deal this afternoon, they should be made honorary Toms for the duration! But a Halle, a Nicole or a Julia would be very welcome, too.
Comment by Alexander Chow-Stuart — January 10, 2008 @ 2:40 pm
What isn’t mentioned here is that Tom makes most of his money as a Producer these days. Playtone is much more than a vanity shingle.
If you read his comments from this perspective (in the original Wire Service article, sadly, not sourced here), you’ll also note he doesn’t say the word “writer” at all. He toes the AMPTP line that “nobody knows how money is going to be made from the internet.” So of course, “The show must go on!”
In no way is this a “get” for the writer’s side. C’mon Nikki, I thought you were more discerning.
Comment by Dante — January 10, 2008 @ 2:46 pm
And Variety is right behind you with the scoop about Tom Hanks -
Oh, wait a minute. Their scoop is that he wore a soccer scarf in London.
Comment by Seth Striker — January 10, 2008 @ 3:08 pm
Well done to Tom. I hope he is the first AAA star to come out in support like this.
That said, I can’t help wondering why Hanks didn’t speak out about the AMPTP walk-out when it happened?
I may be wrong, but I couldn’t see any of the the studios refusing to make or distribute a film starring Tom Hanks, even if he slams them.
The timing, and what he’s quoted as saying, makes me wonder if the Academy has got Hanks to head up a Save the Oscars campaign to support the Academy, rather than because Hank and the Academy supports the WGA’s stance.
- Richard
Comment by Richard — January 10, 2008 @ 3:34 pm
Kudos to Hanks!!!! There really is at least one STAR in Hollywood.
When are the rest of these “AAA list” stars, with their multi-million dollar contracts, perks up the ass, and assistants to perform their every request gonna get out there and back the people who put words in their mouths?
Oh wait…… maybe they can’t since they don’t have a script.
Do what’s right, so we can have an end to this thing!
Comment by fedup — January 10, 2008 @ 3:48 pm
Thank you, Tom… you will have me in the audience of every movie you make, as long as it is not written during this strike period.
Comment by writerperson — January 10, 2008 @ 4:29 pm
“The show must go on, that is one of the tenets of everything,” Hanks told Reuters… “I am a member of the board of governors of the Academy, and we definitely want to put on a great show and honor the films that have come out in the course of the year.”
Ummm… wouldn’t that mean that, as a member of the board of the Academy, he’s committing to having an awards show no matter whether the strike is still on? I certainly didn’t see in the Reuters piece or the brief BBC red carpet clip anything that indicated that he wanted the Oscar ceremony cancelled if the strike doesn’t end.
Really, what did he say in this London appearance that was new or different or at all bold?
Comment by Stuart Creque — January 10, 2008 @ 4:30 pm
Most Excellent article… the solar powered anti-greed machine is working!
Thanks Tom!
Comment by Enza — January 10, 2008 @ 4:40 pm
It’s a relief to see such very high profile actors getting involved in this economic Armageddon. Tom Hanks is not only one of the most decent people in the business, he’s also very smart, and very careful. He’s probably heard rumors about the so-called awards voter boycott. The group which seems to have hatched the idea is asking people who’ve been hurt by the strike to send a message to the AMPTP by withholding their awards votes from one, chosen, targetted monster within the AMPTP. They hit on NBC Universal, whose biggest theatrical awards candidate happens to be “Charlie Wilson’s War.” If that picture gets shut out of guild awards and the Oscars, NBC Universal would be getting the punishment it deserves, but “War” is Tom Hanks’s pet project, and he has good reason to push for a fair settlement.
Comment by clappergirl — January 10, 2008 @ 9:55 pm
It’s a relief to see such very high profile actors getting involved in this economic Armageddon. Tom Hanks is not only one of the most decent people in the business, he’s also very smart, and very careful. And he’s probably heard rumors about the so-called awards voter boycott. The group which seems to have hatched the idea is asking people, who’ve been hurt by the studio-distributors shut-down, to send a message to the AMPTP by withholding their awards votes from one, chosen, targetted monster within the AMPTP. They hit on NBC Universal, whose biggest theatrical awards candidate happens to be “Charlie Wilson’s War.” If that picture gets shut out of guild awards and the Oscars, NBC Universal would be getting the punishment it deserves (with a message to the rest of the AMPTP), but “Charlie Wilson’s War” is Tom Hanks’s pet project, and he has good reason to push for a fair settlement before the awards voters mark their ballots.
Comment by clappergirl — January 10, 2008 @ 10:34 pm
Every single show that is currently on late night is being written by scabs. They write their jokes and fax them to the hosts homes. This is a fact. And they are paying the writers in cash. If you were a working WGA writer and your show is on the air and you are not being paid, you are expendable and vulnerable. I hear from sources that hosts are setting up secret writing rooms…if you really wanted to find this out, do a little digging. They are all being paid in cash. It’s a win win for them. All cash, no taxes and no Pension out of their paycheck. WGA gets more out of touch every day
Comment by Suzy — January 10, 2008 @ 11:28 pm
Tom Hanks,
Your heart and soul will be in the Book of Life… You have a moral code that understands that we are all family - the rich and the middle class on down… AMPTP please listen to Tom Hanks, he is only saying lets talk it out - and not nuke it out!
“Peace be with you,” should be on everybody’s lips from this point forward… “And also with you…”
Say it AMPTP… WGA… DGA…SAG…
Comment by Bring true peace to the middle east & hollywood — January 11, 2008 @ 7:15 am
I’m happy a big name came out critical of the AMPTP. I just wish it were to supports the writers and the crews, not the Oscars.
Comment by BRIAN — January 11, 2008 @ 7:35 am