Just yesterday, actor Sean Gunn called out Bob Iger for calling the demands of the writers’ and actors’ strike not “realistic.” He then proceeded to point fingers at Netflix for not giving him and the actors of Gilmore Girls a share in the massive profits the streamer continues to make by having the popular series on its platform. The video of his comments instantly blew up… only for it to be deleted less than 24 hours later.
Sean’s comments against Netflix were made in his chat with The Hollywood Reporter while he was on the picket lines on July 14 for the first day of SAG-AFTRA’s strike. In his tirade, he bashed the streaming giant for not sharing the continued earnings from streaming Gilmore Girls, the series only home at the moment.
“It gets streamed over and over and over again, and I see almost none of the revenue that comes into that. I don’t understand why they can’t lessen those bonuses to share the wealth more with the people who have created the content that has gotten them rich.”
Technically, it is not Netflix’s duty to give him or anyone associated with the series any residual checks as the duty falls on Warner Bros. Pictures, the production house behind the hit show. Based on what Sean shared, it is evident that no matter what contract WB struck with Netflix — whether it received a one-time flat fee to turn over the rights of the show for a certain time period or it earns parts of the show’s streaming revenue — the cast and team of Gilmore Girls are paid the same amount in residual checks regardless of the millions it added to the studios’ pocket.
But as Sean incorrectly blamed Netflix, instead of Warner Bros., directly for the constant slump in the residual check he earns from the show, those pointing out his folly soon turned to drag James Gunn into the scuffle as he is the new co-head of DC Films. And it certainly didn’t help when THR promptly went ahead and deleted the video.
Some opted to forgo the mistake and look at what Sean Gunn was actually trying to convey — actors, writers, and everyone who worked hard on a project not getting their justified and well-deserved money. Even now, as productions across Hollywood are hitting pause in recognition of the strikes, some studios have found a loophole to continue filming.
James Gunn, who has been beating Marvel in casting the perfect actors for his upcoming Superman: Legacy, recently confirmed that his brother will be reprising his role as Weasel as well as joining Creature Commandos as the voice of G.I. Robot. This announcement was once again met with cries that the director is playing favorites — an opinion that is experiencing a resurgence in light of Sean blaming Netflix instead of WB.
Even though Sean Gunn’s comments have been shelved for not adhering to facts, there are many who have openly called out studios for not compensating the actors even as they continue cashing in big cheques.