Matt Belloni reports that the Writers Guild has reached a tentative deal with studios on a new four-year contract — notably one year longer than the usual cycle.
The agreement still needs to be ratified, but both sides seem motivated to get it done. This is encouraging news, especially at a time when the industry is still trying to regain its footing.
The timing certainly couldn’t be better. After this decade’s COVID disruptions and the dual SAG/WGA strikes that halted production and disrupted release schedules, Hollywood is finally starting to build momentum again. This year’s theatrical slate looks commercially promising, and early signs point to another strong lineup next year — giving exhibitors reasons to stay optimistic. Another labor shutdown could have undone that progress.