Jonathan Majors’ Action Film Faces Picketing from IATSE Crew in South Carolina
A picket line has emerged on the South Carolina set of Jonathan Majors’ upcoming untitled action film, produced by The Daily Wire and Dallas Sonnier’s Bonfire Legend, following a crew walkout late last week.
The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) has initiated a strike against the production in Gaffney, South Carolina, citing a series of labor disputes.
While the current status of production remains uncertain, reports indicate that filming continues in some capacity despite the picket line. The production companies are reportedly seeking to replace the striking crew members, while the union is actively discouraging others from taking their jobs.
The film, written and directed by Kyle Rankin, is shrouded in secrecy regarding its title and plot. However, it is said to draw inspiration from 1980s and 1990s action movies like Red Dawn and Toy Soldiers, which feature groups of teenage boys uniting against invading foes.
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Majors is not only starring in the film but also serving as an executive producer. The matter primarily impacts Ben Shapiro and Sonnier, who are producing the film for The Daily Wire and Bonfire Legend, respectively.
Despite the strike, it does not seem to pose a significant concern for the production.
Additional producers on the project include Caleb Robinson, Mike Richards, Jason Ramos, Travis Mills, Lillian Campbell, and Sydney Aucreman. Cinematographer Kristopher Kimlin, casting director David Guglielmo, production designer Vincent Reynaud, and costume designer Emma Fleming round out the crew.
This untitled film marks a reunion between The Daily Wire, Bonfire Legend, and Rankin, who previously collaborated on Run Hide Fight, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival in 2020.
This upcoming project also signifies Majors’ return to film following a significant career hiatus after he was found guilty of assaulting his former girlfriend in 2023. The actor has been gradually rebuilding his career and is attached to star in the supernatural thriller Merciless, slated for summer 2024 release.
Before his conviction, Majors was on a remarkable career trajectory with notable roles in films such as The Last Black Man in San Francisco, Creed III, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, and Magazine Dreams.
The Daily Wire and Bonfire Legend have been proactive in supporting ‘canceled’ actors aiming to revitalize their careers. The conservative media outlets have previously provided comeback opportunities to actors like Armie Hammer and Gina Carano after her departure from The Mandalorian.
