LOS ANGELES - Hollywood's summer of discontent could dramatically escalate this weekend, with actors ready to join writers in a massive "double strike" that would bring nearly all US film and television productions to a halt.
The Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA) is locked in last-minute negotiations with the likes of Netflix and Disney, with the deadline fast approaching.
The labour union's 160,000 actors and performers -- from A-listers to extras -- have pre-approved industrial action if a deal is not struck in time.
Should negotiators walk out, it will be the first time that all Hollywood actors and writers have been on strike simultaneously since 1960 when actor (and future US president) Ronald Reagan led a showdown that eventually forced major concessions from the studios.
Like the writers, who have already spent nine weeks on the picket lines, actors are demanding higher pay to counteract inflation, and guarantees for their future livelihoods.
In addition to salaries when they are actively working, actors earn payments called "residuals" every time a film or show they starred in is aired on network or cable -- particularly helpful when performers are between projects.
But today, streamers like Netflix and Disney+ do not disclose viewing figures for their shows, and offer the same paltry flat rate for everything on their platforms, regardless of its popularity.
Whether a strike will go ahead is currently anyone's guess. A media blackout on the talks has been imposed by both sides.
Last Friday, SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher released a video message telling members of "extremely productive negotiations" and promising a "seminal deal."
But union chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland warned there is a "very narrow window" to achieve a deal, fueling speculation that both sides could agree to a temporary extension of talks.
While the writers' strike has already dramatically reduced the number of movies and shows in production, an actors' walkout would shutter almost everything.
Some reality TV, animation and talk shows could continue, but even high-profile events like television's Emmy Awards, set for September 18, would be at risk.
Popular series set to return to television as soon as this fall would be delayed. And further down the line, blockbuster films could be postponed too.