Lions Gate in Talks Writers Guild

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Lions Gate Entertainment Corp., the largest independent U.S. film studio, is in contract talks with the Writers Guild of America, according to two people with knowledge of the discussions, Bloomberg News reports.


Lions Gate, run from Santa Monica, California, would be the biggest studio to reach an agreement in the 11-week strike, allowing film and television production to resume. A deal may be reached this week, said one of the people, who asked not to be named because the talks are private.


Lions Gate is seeking terms similar to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.’s United Artists and Weinstein Co. The union has pursued agreements with independent producers as part of a strategy to force major studios back to the bargaining table. The union and the studios today began discussing ground rules to resume negotiations.


Writers Guild spokesman Gregg Mitchell didn’t return messages seeking comment. Lions Gate spokesman Peter Wilkes declined to comment. An agreement between Lions Gate and the writers is close, the New York Times reported today.


Six independent production companies have signed interim accords with the guild. The union has reached agreements with MRC, Spyglass Entertainment and Worldwide Pants Inc., David Letterman’s production company, as well as Jackson Bites, a new- media company formed by “Bourne” film producer Doug Liman.


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