How will the writers' deal shape the future of Hollywood screenwriting?

The post-strike entertainment industry could look very different for screenwriters

Trash can with WGA placard broken inside
The writers' strike appears to be over — but what happens next?
(Image credit: Illustrated / Getty Images)

One of the longest walkouts in Hollywood history appears to be at its end, as the Writers Guild of America (WGA) has announced a tentative deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) to end the 146-day writers' strike. If ratified, the deal would bring to a close one of the two labor disputes that have brought the entertainment industry to a standstill. The major actors' union, SAG-AFTRA, remains on strike against the studios, and no talks between the two sides are currently scheduled.

The guild's preliminary three-year contract "is exceptional — with meaningful gains and protections for writers in every sector of the membership," the WGA said in a statement. While the exact details of the agreement are unclear, sources told Deadline that the parties were "able to untangle their stalemate over AI and writing room staffing levels," as protections from artificial intelligence in the entertainment industry proved to be a major sticking point for the WGA.

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Justin Klawans, The Week US

 Justin Klawans has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022. He began his career covering local news before joining Newsweek as a breaking news reporter, where he wrote about politics, national and global affairs, business, crime, sports, film, television and other Hollywood news. Justin has also freelanced for outlets including Collider and United Press International.