Markiplier Stands in Solidarity With SAG-AFTRA, Declaring ‘Strike’

• Markiplier has announced that he is going on strike in support of The Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA).
• In a recent livestream, he revealed that he is a member of the union due to his involvement in union productions.
• Although he is currently working on his own movie, “Iron Lung,” he expressed uncertainty about how the strike would affect his project.

YouTuber Markiplier recently informed his followers during a livestream that he is participating in a strike to show solidarity with actors and writers who are engaged in a labor dispute.

Markiplier, whose real name is Mark Fischbach and who boasts 35 million subscribers, stated that he is striking while working on his movie, “Iron Lung.”

In the 1 hour 15 minute stream on Monday, he humorously remarked, “Yeah, I’m on strike, I’m walking out on my work, I’m not taking this anymore until my boss treats me with the respect I deserve.”

While Fischbach acknowledged that he is self-employed and the movie is his own project, he expressed his support for The Screen Actors Guild — American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) as he has been involved in union productions in the past.

Although he endorsed the ongoing strike by film and TV workers in their labor dispute with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), Fischbach admitted that he was unsure about the specifics of his own strike.

He expressed his concern, saying, “I’m all for the strike,” in response to the controversial practices proposed by the entertainment industry, such as using AI-generated replicas of extras indefinitely and free of charge. However, he questioned, “I don’t know who I take it to.”

Regarding his movie, which is an adaptation of an indie horror game, Fischbach acknowledged that it is an “opportune moment” for the film industry to address emerging concerns. However, he emphasized that his main priority is delivering the movie to his fans.

Despite his uncertainty about the impact of his strike, Fischbach expressed his intention to continue working on his project, stating, “I think I’m fine editing it, I don’t think there’s any problem with that,” and “Unless I’m striking against myself, I’ve really got nothing to object against.”

He also noted that he doubted anyone would pay attention to his actions, saying, “Hollywood in general barely gives me the time of day, let alone probably care.” He mentioned his previous “awkward” encounters with the mainstream entertainment industry, where his internet fame did not receive recognition on red carpets.

Fischbach referred to comments made by actor Anthony Mackie in June, which some interpreted as derogatory towards internet celebrities.

While still supporting the same cause as Mackie, Fischbach wondered, “Hey, hold on a second, what did we do to you? What did we ever do to you?”

He concluded with a touch of self-deprecation, stating, “I’m sure they meant well,” and admitting, “I think I’m kind of nice sometimes.”