Gary Oldman Says ‘No’ to Star Wars, ‘Yes’ to SAG’s Global Rule One

A role in a Star Wars film might be an enticing offer, but “the force” is stronger than the offer for Gary Oldman.

The actor turned down an opportunity to voice the role of General Grievous in the third of the Star Wars prequels, Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. Oldman refused the part when he learned that the film would be shooting without a SAG contract in the United Kingdom and Australia.

Oldman’s representatives indicated that the terms of the shoot could be in violation of SAG’s Global Rule One – which stipulates that SAG members do not perform work that will not benefit the union’s health and pension plans.

“Out of respect for and solidarity with the other SAG members, he could not and would not consider violating the rules of his union," said Oldman's manager Doug Urbanski.

SAG officials stood in ardent support of Oldman’s decision – citing the importance of union solidarity to prevent the depletion of hard-earned benefits.

"This is a strong statement from one of the world's leading film artists that the protections provided by Global Rule One for actors working abroad are indispensable," said Seth Oster, a spokesman for the union. "SAG applauds Gary Oldman for taking this strong stand."

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