Strike in Hollywood: negotiations with screenwriters will resume

After 100 days of strike, the major American studios asked for a meeting with the WGA.

100 days after the start of the writers’ strike, negotiations are expected to resume. The feathers of Hollywood initiated a large-scale social movement on May 2, 2023. Since then, radio silence: the major American studios have ceased all contact with the union WGA (Writers Guild of America).

Later, the crisis deepened with the comedians going on strike, creating the biggest movement in the industry since 1960. Led by former actress Fran Drescher (A nanny from hell), the actors union SAG-AFTRA also experienced difficult negotiations with the studios, which were completed on July 13. “We gave them an extra 12 days to come back with really meaningful proposals. But they just wanted to have more time to promote their summer movies, they never intended to use this extension for anything else.” had explained in particular the president of the organization.

For screenwriters, new negotiations are looming (finally): the studios “have contacted the WGA today and requested a meeting this Friday to consider negotiations,” the union said in an email to its members. “We will come back to you after the meeting to give you more information”, is it added.

Supported by many industry personalities (Jessica Chastain, Matt Damon, Will Smith, George RR Martin…), the strike continues to paralyze Hollywood for an indefinite period. The pressure then increases more and more for the studios, especially since the 160,000 members of SAG-AFTRA have ceased filming, red carpets and other promotional activities. As a reminder, they claim better remuneration, and fear the gradual arrival of artificial intelligence in the sector. But for the moment, no news concerning the negotiations with the actors.

The Venice Film Festival is preparing for an edition without Hollywood stars