Deadline reported on Thursday that Penn issued the ultimatum because the 60-year-old star was not satisfied with the vaccination requirements imposed by NBCUniversal, the studio behind his latest production.
This week, the TV and film company announced it had implemented mandatory vaccinations in “Zone A”, which means the cast of the show and those who come in close proximity must be vaccinated.
He is now challenging safety protocols by telling producers that he won’t return to work until every member of the production team has been vaccinated.
Penn has offered to facilitate the vaccination effort free of charge through his organization CORE (Community Organized Relief Effort), according to Deadline, the nonprofit has helped open multiple Covid-19 testing and vaccination sites in California and elsewhere during pandemic.
According to the publication, the actor’s absence from the set may result in a delay in shooting as he has yet to wrap his scenes.
CNN has contacted NBCUniversal for further comment.