Today the Writers Guild of America (WGA) announced two new interim deals, one with Marvel Studios and another with Lionsgate. This is very good news for comic book fans as films as Marvel Studios Chairman David Maisel says, “We’re very excited about our summer releases, Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk, and look forward to resuming work with writers on our future projects including Captain America, Thor, Ant-Man, and The Avengers.”
From what I understand, Iron Man was finished prior to the strike, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Louis Letterier took the opportunity to go back and reshoot some scenes from The Incredible Hulk had there been some that just didn’t quite work, but couldn’t be changed due to the strike. This is just speculation of course, but it shows the importance of such interim deals and why people are anxious to see the AMPTP and WGA come to an agreement and end this strike.
Lionsgate, like The Weinstein Co. and United Artists, should be able to take the opportunity and get some films into production that otherwise may have fallen by the wayside. The deal also gives all three of the mini-majors a chance to get a jump on the major studios that seem to be committed to waiting until the contract negotiations are complete and staying clear of any side deals.
In a joint statement, Patric M. Verrone, president of the Writers Guild of America, West, and Michael Winship, president of the Writers Guild of America, East said, “Lionsgate is considered a leader in the industry, and its signing an interim agreement again confirms that it is possible for both writers to be compensated fairly and respectfully for their work and for companies to operate profitably.”
Neither press release mentions the details of the agreements, but Marvel and Lionsgate now join The Weinstein Company, United Artists, Worldwide Pants, Spyglass Entertainment, MRC, Jackson Bites, Mandate Films, and Sidney Kimmel Entertainment as the group of companies that recently entered into interim agreements with the WGA.
As for the strike itself, it was last reported on January 23rd by Variety that the WGA and the majors have stayed on their tentative path to peace with a series of informal meetings aimed at ending the brutal three-month writers strike.
Negotiations restarted with the WGA withdrawing their proposals on reality and animation, a vote not to picket the Grammy Awards and a hope that the Oscars may be able to go on without a hitch. How it will all work out is unknown at this time.
