Bradley Cooper forgos 'Maestro' premiere at Venice film amid SAG-AFTRA strike

Bradley Cooper has taken a stand in solidarity with the SAG-AFTRA strike, leading him to make a significant decision regarding his upcoming film Maestro. 

The highly anticipated Leonard Bernstein biopic, which Cooper both directed and stars in, was set to have its premiere at the Venice Film Festival. 

However, Cooper will not be attending the festival as a show of support for the striking actors.

This move is just one example of how the ongoing writer and actor labour stoppages are impacting this year's awards season, making it exceptionally complicated. 

With no end in sight for the strikes, the film industry is facing potential disruptions, including festival shake-ups and release date delays. 

Furthermore, many off-camera talents, alongside the striking writers, may opt out of their promotional roles in solidarity, further adding to the uncertainty.

The situation at the Venice Film Festival has already been stirring controversy with its bookings of films from directors Roman Polanski and Woody Allen outside of competition. 

Meanwhile, films competing in the main category include works by acclaimed directors such as Yorgos Lanthimos, Sofia Coppola, Michael Mann, Ava DuVernay, and David Fincher. 

The Venice International Film Festival, scheduled from August 30 to September 9, promises to be an eventful affair, as filmmakers, actors, and audiences alike navigate the complexities of the current labour disputes and their impact on the world of cinema.

Maestro marks his second directorial venture after the immensely successful A Star Is Born. 

The latter film premiered in Venice five years ago, receiving widespread acclaim and amassing $436 million at the global box office.