The WGA make a deal with a comic book publisher? Where'd THAT come from?
Today's big news for comics fans is that Marvel Studios struck a deal with the WGA allowing their superhero-themed projects to get back on track. "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." Frequent Marvel collaborator Lionsgate has also inked an interim deal with the WGA.
Taken from ComicBookResources.com
Remember how I kept saying DC Comics couldn't get any luck with their movies and that the strike was not helping? Marvel seems to have "fixed" this in a major-league way. If the interim deal is anything like th ones offered to United Artists and David Letterman's Worldwide Pants, it would mean that Marvel Studios (and Direct-to-DVD Animation/Cinema partner, Lionsgate) are prepared to accept the WGA terms in the long-run, and therefore the WGA has given them what amounts to a waiver on the strike (Interim deal remains legally binding until the end of the strike - If AMPTP/studios win a better deal after the new contracts are signed - Marvel Studios gets the better deal).
Films this directly affects are (The Mighty) Thor, Ant-Man & Captain America (in preparation for The Avengers movie) as well as pipeline projects on Marvel's production schedule under their distribution deal with Paramount Pictures such as a Luke Cage movie. It also helps any potential script re-writing for any sequels to the three "in-production" properties, Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk and Lionsgate's Punisher: War Zone, & D2D Next Avengers. It does NOT however help projects such as the in-production X-Men Origins: Wolverine, pre-production Silver Surfer & untitled Fantastic 4 sequel. (both at Fox) and the continuation of the Spider-Man franchise (over at Sony/Columbia).
What's interesting here is the stance that Marvel have taken, apparently because of the altruistic image it gives the company, who employs several TV and film writers to do writing chores on their books [mouseover their names for credits] - such as Joss Whedon, Allan Heinberg, Joseph Michael Straczynski, Kevin Smith, Jon Favreau, Neil Gaiman, Daniel Knauf (and son), Brian K. Vaughn and company. With such "luminaries" in their employ, it's not surprising that they would indeed make a show of supporting the WGA strike (as the WGA doesn't cover print publications except those which promote a network show or movie).
What is strange though is that for years, renknowned creators in comics have recieved little in terms of recompense for their work in their old age and when they are in declining health - and they are forced to rely on charitable organizations such as The Hero Initiative to help keep them out of poverty - frankly something which should not happen because of the money the comic book publishers get from selling reprinted and reproduced works.
Many of those in this situation are Marvel and DC comics creators. The co-creators of Superman were in this boat too up until they gained press coverage in the run-up to the Christopher Reeve movie, resulting in them finally receiving a life pension and credit in 1978... 39 years after their work had spawned novels, merchandise, TV serials and a long-running radio-show.
Odd then that Marvel will care for TV and Movie writers, when it doesn't take more proactive measures in ensuring the future for its own stable of award-winning, "home-grown" talent?
Taken from ComicBookResources.com
Remember how I kept saying DC Comics couldn't get any luck with their movies and that the strike was not helping? Marvel seems to have "fixed" this in a major-league way. If the interim deal is anything like th ones offered to United Artists and David Letterman's Worldwide Pants, it would mean that Marvel Studios (and Direct-to-DVD Animation/Cinema partner, Lionsgate) are prepared to accept the WGA terms in the long-run, and therefore the WGA has given them what amounts to a waiver on the strike (Interim deal remains legally binding until the end of the strike - If AMPTP/studios win a better deal after the new contracts are signed - Marvel Studios gets the better deal).
Films this directly affects are (The Mighty) Thor, Ant-Man & Captain America (in preparation for The Avengers movie) as well as pipeline projects on Marvel's production schedule under their distribution deal with Paramount Pictures such as a Luke Cage movie. It also helps any potential script re-writing for any sequels to the three "in-production" properties, Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk and Lionsgate's Punisher: War Zone, & D2D Next Avengers. It does NOT however help projects such as the in-production X-Men Origins: Wolverine, pre-production Silver Surfer & untitled Fantastic 4 sequel. (both at Fox) and the continuation of the Spider-Man franchise (over at Sony/Columbia).
What's interesting here is the stance that Marvel have taken, apparently because of the altruistic image it gives the company, who employs several TV and film writers to do writing chores on their books [mouseover their names for credits] - such as Joss Whedon, Allan Heinberg, Joseph Michael Straczynski, Kevin Smith, Jon Favreau, Neil Gaiman, Daniel Knauf (and son), Brian K. Vaughn and company. With such "luminaries" in their employ, it's not surprising that they would indeed make a show of supporting the WGA strike (as the WGA doesn't cover print publications except those which promote a network show or movie).
What is strange though is that for years, renknowned creators in comics have recieved little in terms of recompense for their work in their old age and when they are in declining health - and they are forced to rely on charitable organizations such as The Hero Initiative to help keep them out of poverty - frankly something which should not happen because of the money the comic book publishers get from selling reprinted and reproduced works.
Many of those in this situation are Marvel and DC comics creators. The co-creators of Superman were in this boat too up until they gained press coverage in the run-up to the Christopher Reeve movie, resulting in them finally receiving a life pension and credit in 1978... 39 years after their work had spawned novels, merchandise, TV serials and a long-running radio-show.
Odd then that Marvel will care for TV and Movie writers, when it doesn't take more proactive measures in ensuring the future for its own stable of award-winning, "home-grown" talent?