Jacob Ant
As labor strikes from the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and SAG-AFTRA cross the four-month threshold, Apple is the latest major player in the entertainment industry to pause specific agreements.
These pauses affect producers who aren’t actively contributing to projects because of the strikes. Among the high-profile deals put on ice are those involving Natalie Portman’s MountainA venture and Adam McKay’s Hyperobject Industries. Apple has chosen not to make any public statements regarding these actions.
That said, Apple is maintaining its working relationships with non-writing producers actively participating in projects. For instance, Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman’s Playtone is in the production stages for the upcoming Apple series, Masters of the Air.
Likewise, Martin Scorsese secured a contract with Apple in 2020, finalizing and promoting his movie Killers of the Flower Moon.
Disney recently hit the pause button on its collaborations with several talents, including Gina Rodriguez and stars from This Is Us like Justin Hartley and Mandy Moore. Warner Bros. TV also opted to suspend ongoing contracts with renowned names like Greg Berlanti and Mindy Kaling.
CBS Studios, too, has put a hold on certain partnerships, including those with Phil McGraw’s Stage 29 and DeVon Franklin’s Franklin Entertainment. Despite these pauses, studios are ensuring that salaries for assistants and development executives tied to these suspended contracts will continue to be paid.
Amidst these pauses in the entertainment industry, the WGA and AMPTP have slated negotiations for next week, signaling a potential breakthrough in the enduring labor disputes.
