Breaking Barriers: Bryan Cranston Delivers Fiery Strike Speech Aimed At Disney CEO

During a SAG-AFTRA protest rally in Times Square on Tuesday, Bryan Cranston delivered an impassioned speech, addressing the ongoing strike and directing a message at Disney CEO Bob Iger. The rally, known as "Rock the City for a Fair Contract," saw hundreds of striking SAG-AFTRA members and union supporters gathering in New York City.

According to Variety, Cranston's speech emphasized the importance of preserving the dignity and right to work for actors, despite the changing landscape of the entertainment industry. He expressed concerns over the potential threat of artificial intelligence taking away jobs and reducing casting costs, a key issue in the negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.

In his address to Iger, whose Disney contract had been extended through 2026 just the day before the strike began, Cranston said, "I know, sir, that you look [at] things through a different lens. We don’t expect you to understand who we are. But we ask you to hear us, and beyond that to listen to us when we tell you we will not be having our jobs taken away and given to robots. We will not have you take away our right to work and earn a decent living. And lastly, and most importantly, we will not allow you to take away our dignity! We are union through and through, all the way to the end!"

Cranston--who is technically currently taking time off from work--further highlighted the need for the AMPTP to adapt to modern times and address current concerns, such as streaming residuals and the increasing use of AI as a storytelling tool. Cranston emphasized that the industry has changed significantly in recent years, and it is vital to move forward rather than cling to outdated economic systems.

Among the other attendees at the rally were Steve Buscemi, Wendell Pierce, Christian Slater, Christine Baranski, Stephen Lang, Tituss Burgess, Michael Shannon, BD Wong, Brendan Fraser, Jessica Chastain, Matt Bomer, Chloë Grace Moretz, and Corey Stoll.