Hollywood's Guild Wars: Park Chan-wook and Don McKellar Ousted in Writers Guild Shakeup
📷 Image source: hollywoodreporter.com
The Axe Falls on A-List Creators
Why the WGA is cracking down — and who’s caught in the crossfire
Park Chan-wook, the visionary behind 'Oldboy' and 'The Handmaiden,' and Don McKellar, co-creator of HBO’s 'The Sympathizer,' just got booted from the Writers Guild of America. Not for plagiarism, not for misconduct, but for refusing to toe the line on a guild rule that’s sparking fury in creative circles: the ban on writing for struck companies.
This isn’t some minor slap on the wrist. The WGA’s expulsion means these heavyweights can’t work on guild-covered projects in the U.S. — a nuclear option that’s sending shockwaves through showbiz. The guild’s message is clear: cross us during a strike, and you’re out.
The Rule That Started the Fire
A clause with teeth — and consequences
Here’s the rub: during last year’s 148-day writers’ strike, the WGA barred members from writing for studios it was striking against. Park and McKellar allegedly violated that by developing projects for A24, which the guild had blacklisted.
A24 isn’t some faceless conglomerate — it’s the indie darling behind 'Everything Everywhere All at Once' and 'The Whale.' But to the WGA, it was a 'struck company,' making any collaboration verboten. The guild’s stance? No exceptions, not even for Oscar winners.
The Fallout for 'The Sympathizer'
HBO’s prestige drama caught in the crosshairs
McKellar’s expulsion throws a wrench into 'The Sympathizer,' the Robert Downey Jr.-led spy thriller that’s already generating Emmy buzz. Though the show wrapped production, McKellar’s ban could complicate future seasons — a brutal irony given the series’ themes of loyalty and betrayal.
Park, meanwhile, was deep into an A24 series adaptation of his own film 'The Sympathizer' when the guild dropped the hammer. The timing couldn’t be worse: Hollywood’s hunger for global auteurs has never been higher, but the WGA just sidelined one of South Korea’s most celebrated filmmakers.
The Bigger Battle
Guilds vs. creatives in the streaming era
This isn’t just about two high-profile names. It’s about the escalating tension between collective action and individual artistry in an industry that’s increasingly borderless.
Park’s case is especially thorny. As a filmmaker who works across continents, does the WGA have the moral authority to dictate his projects in Seoul or London? The guild says yes — its rules apply to all members, regardless of geography. But that hardline stance risks alienating exactly the kind of international talent Hollywood covets.
Meanwhile, McKellar’s expulsion raises questions about whether the WGA is overreaching. A24 may have been on the guild’s naughty list, but it’s also one of the few studios championing original storytelling. Is blacklisting collaborators really the way to protect writers?
What Comes Next
Appeals, anger, and a divided industry
Both creators can appeal their expulsions, but the odds aren’t great. The WGA’s disciplinary process is notoriously opaque, and reversing a decision this high-profile would undercut its strike authority.
The real casualty here might be trust. After a year that saw writers win historic gains, this scorched-earth tactic risks turning allies into adversaries. When even auteurs like Park Chan-wook — who’s spent decades elevating screenwriting — get cast as villains, something’s gone sideways.
One thing’s certain: as streaming blurs borders and studios scramble for global hits, the WGA’s insistence on playing hardball is about to collide with an industry that no longer fits neatly into guild rulebooks.
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