Weinstein Does Interim Deal With Writers Guild

As I suggested might happen, The Weinstein Company has reached an interim deal with the WGA, reports the New York Times.

The deal is similar to the one signed by the Guild and United Artists last week, and would be superseded by the agreement ultimately reached with the major studios - whenever that happens.

Writers Strike: Will the WGA do a Deal with Lionsgate or TWC?

A friend asked an interesting question: Will Lionsgate make an interim deal with the WGA, a la David Letterman’s Worldwide Pants? The Letterman deal, signed just days ago, was reportedly on the terms the Guild has been demanding – and that the major studios rejected as economically unreasonable.

Such a deal – or perhaps one with The Weinstein Company (TWC) - would be a natural way for the Guild to take the pressure of interim deals to the next level. This time, the majors would be looking not at a tiny company in a specialized corner of the business, but at a mini-major - a true competitor, ready to make films and television programming with the best writers in the business. It’d be the difference between a cat at the door and, well, a lion at the gate.

Will this happen? I don’t know. But – when I asked a WGA spokesman whether the Guild had discussed the matter, or was in talks with Lionsgate or TWC (or planned any), his response spoke volumes: “I can neither confirm nor deny.” He then added a smiley face.

[Update - Since this article was published, the WGA has reportedly done such a deal with United Artists. Perhaps Lionsgate or TWC will be next.]

This article first appeared in the Huffington Post today.