SAG-AFTRA issues a Do Not Work Order against Capcom for “failing to initiate the signatory process”

SAG-AFTRA – the union that represents 160,000 actors, voiceover artists, and other media professionals – has issued a “Do Not Work Order” against Capcom’s upcoming Mega Man sequel, Mega Man: Dual Override.

In a statement the union said: “Please be advised that the producer of the video game production entitled Mega Man: Dual Override has failed to initiate the signatory process.

“As such, SAG-AFTRA members are hereby instructed to withhold any acting services or performance of any covered work for this production until further notice from the union.”

As a result of SAG-AFTRA Do Not Work Order, voice actor Ben Diskin is now unable to reprise his role as Mega Man.

“I was asked to return for Mega Man: Dual Override, but only on the condition I work without the protections of a union contract,” Diskin wrote on BlueSky.

“I was told there are ‘full A.I. protections in place that guarantee in writing that [my] voice will never be used for A.I. development’ but was also told ‘with certainty, from [Capcom], that the project will not go union.’ While I certainly appreciate the acknowledgement of the concern around AI, working without a contract I can realistically enforce isn’t something I can risk.

“The only way to enforce non-union contracts like this involves personally taking giant companies like Capcom to court and suing if I thought they’d used AI. I don’t have the mental, emotional, or monetary strength to survive a protracted legal fight.

Diskin added: “In my heart, I want to believe Capcom would never use AI… But in my HEAD, I’m aware that basically every major corporation is looking to incorporate generative AI to save money.

“The video game industry is facing record layoffs and huge amounts of uncertainty. I need a union contract to feel safe.”

“I expressed that I’d even be willing to work on a LOWER-budget union contract if it meant this flipped,” he added in a follow-up message. “It genuinely wasn’t about the money for me. It’s been an honor voicing Mega Man in Mega Man 11, the best-selling game in the series’ history, and watching Mega Man reclaim his rightful place as a gaming icon.”

The union voted to strike at the end of July 2024 after it failed to reach an agreement with the convenience bargaining group over rights and protection concerns raised by the industry’s exploration of AI technologies.

In March 2025, it said it remained “frustratingly far apart” from video game publishers after two Zenless Zone Zero voice actors claimed they had been replaced for participating in the SAG-AFTRA strikes.

SAG-AFTRA formally called off its industrial action after 11 months of strikes in June last year.