Lions Gate, Marvel Reach Accords With Striking Film, TV Writers

Source: Bloomberg

By Michael White and Andy Fixmer

Jan. 25 -- Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. and Marvel Entertainment Inc. reached interim agreements with striking Hollywood writers, moves that may lend momentum to union talks with the major media companies.

The contracts are similar to ones the Writers Guild of America reached with United Artists, Worldwide Pants, Spyglass Entertainment, MRC, Jackson Bites, Mandate Films and Sidney Kimmel Entertainment, the union said yesterday in a statement.

The deals allow the studios to resume work on television shows and movies, including Marvel's ``Thor.'' The union has pursued agreements with smaller companies to force major studios back to the bargaining table. Writers and producers began discussing ground rules two days ago to resume negotiations.

``It chips away at the solidarity of the studios and production houses,'' said David Smith, a Pepperdine University professor specializing in labor issues.


Read more: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=a4QS2Pyn4T3M&refer=us

Oh, this is fantastic news. Union, Yes!

I got in a disagreement last night with my SO and his sister - people I walked the picket lines on behalf of the Farm Workers when we were children - for scabbing it out and watching Leno.

I really appreciate the trouble you take to keep us informed on labor issues. Life is a Pete Seeger song!

Solidarity brings results.

BTW, do we really need every freaking character in the Marvel universe up on the big screen?
Thor?

Didn't they learn anything from "Daredevil" and "Elektra"?

The idea behind doing Thor's movie is that they want to do an Avenger's movie, and they want each hero to have their own flick before doing the movie of the whole group. That way, less time needs to be spent on backstory (in theory, anyway).

They are laying groundwork in other ways, too... Nick Fury is getting a movie (as well as a cameo in Iron man). Hulk is still going strong ("Hulk strongest there is!"... sorry, couldn't help myself). Captain America is getting his movie after Hulk 2. (which I believe keeps going through script re-writes, or was before the writer's strike), and "Antman" (in planning stages).

My major reservation with Thor is that his backstory requires the most suspension of belief, unless they go the
"Ultimates" route, and you are kept wondering if he really is a divine being, or just a kook with high tech gadgets. Plus, a living god as a hero will get the holy rollers in a tizzy; then again, any publicity is good publicity.

With the writers strike, however, who knows how schedules will change.

Article from August discussing upcoming Marvel movie plans...

(Don't even get me started talking about the Justice League movie...)

I believe it was an hour and a half longer before the studio started making cuts. It was better before the cuts? Also the original Punisher with Dolph was longer and better I hear.