Actors union accuses Oscars of pressuring stars to book only for Academy Awards

The Screen Actors Guild on Monday called on the film academy to stop trying to prevent stars from appearing on award shows before the Oscars.

In an unusually critical statement Monday, SAG-AFTRA said it has received "multiple reports" that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is pressuring actors to appear only at next month's Academy Awards. Several award shows occur before that, including the guild's own Screen Actors Guild Awards on Jan. 27.

"This self-serving intimidation of SAG-AFTRA members is meant to limit their opportunities to be seen and honor the work of their fellow artists throughout the season. Actors should be free to accept any offer to participate in industry celebrations," SAG-AFTRA said in a statement. "The apparent attempt by the academy to keep our members from presenting on their own awards show is utterly outrageous and unacceptable."

"We call on the academy to cease this inappropriate action," it concluded.

Messages left with the academy were not immediately returned Monday.

Following Kevin Hart's departure last month, the Academy Awards remain without a host. 

With less than six weeks to go before the Feb. 24 broadcast, they appear likely to remain that way. To compensate, the film academy has apparently sought to populate the telecast with starry presenters. One reported gambit has been to unite the Avengers cast at the Oscars.

According to a Variety report, quoting unidentified industry insiders, producers are willing to rely on a roster of "A-listers" to move segments along.

The open feud with SAG-AFTRA is only the latest headache for the film academy which is seeking to revamp this year's Oscars telecast. It earlier scuttled plans for a new best popular film category after a backlash.