Marvel Studios is the latest production company to sign an interim agreement with the Writers Guild of America. They join The Weinstein Company, United Artists, Lionsgate (see below), Worldwide Pants, Spyglass Entertainment, MRC, Jackson Bites, Mandate Films, and Sidney Kimmel Entertainment as companies moving forward while the rest of large studios wait on the sidelines.
The deal reinforces their independence after recently launching their own branch to develop, produce and fully finance future Marvel properties. The new contract means that writers can immediately return to work on some of their big projects as their chairman was quick to point out in the statement.
"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,'" said Marvel Studios Chairman David Maisel.
WGA also issued a statement...
"Marvel Studios' signing of an interim agreement with the Writers Guild is more good news for our membership," said WGAE President Michael Winship and WGAW President Patric M. Verrone. "Marvel is committed to fairly compensating their writers and now they can move forward with their planned production schedule."
Lionsgate also made an interim deal with the guild late last night, giving them the clear to go ahead with future project development. Again, the WGA issued another statement after the contract was signed.
"We are pleased Lionsgate has joined the growing number of companies that have signed interim agreements with the Writers Guild," said Patric M. Verrone, president of the Writers Guild of America, West, and Michael Winship, president of the Writers Guild of America, East, in a joint statement. "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."