Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Man Tries to Order Priciest Starbucks Drink Ever Total cost: $23.60 »

Tom Cruise's United Artists Cutting Deal With Writers

Movie studio first to break ranks

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 6, 2008 5:00 AM CST

(Newser) – United Artists, the independent production unit of MGM controlled by actor Tom Cruise, is expected to soon finalize a deal with striking Hollywood writers modeled on the one made by producers for talk-show host David Letterman, the Los Angeles Times reports. United Artists will likely grant some key demands of the Writers Guild of America. The union hopes getting independent producers on board will help push the big studios back to the bargaining table.

MGM will benefit from the deal by getting some new films in the pipeline. But insiders say that MGM bosses don't plan to make any side deals with the guild themselves and that MGM chief Harry Sloan has been trying to talk Cruise and his producer Paula Wagner out of making a deal. An agreement could be signed as early as today.

This file photo provided by MGM shows Meryl Streep, left, and Tom Cruise during a scene from Lions For Lambs, the first film from United Artists. Tom Cruise and Paula Wagner, one of Hollywood's most successful producing teams, are said to be very close to making a deal with the...
This file photo provided by MGM shows Meryl Streep, left, and Tom Cruise during a scene from "Lions For Lambs," the first film from United Artists. Tom Cruise and Paula Wagner, one of Hollywood's most...   (Associated Press)
In this photo provided by Metro-Goldwyn- Mayer, Tom Cruise and his wife Katie Holmes attend a private screening of Metro-Goldwyn Mayer, United Artists film Lions For Lambs at The Museum of Modern Art in New York, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2007. (AP Photo/Dave Allocca, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer)
In this photo provided by Metro-Goldwyn- Mayer, Tom Cruise and his wife Katie Holmes attend a private screening of Metro-Goldwyn Mayer, United Artists film "Lions For Lambs" at The Museum of Modern Art...   (Associated Press)
Actress and a non-union writer Shauni Weatherly wears Star Trek Vulcan ears as she walks the picket line to express her support for  members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) outside the gates of Paramount Pictures studios in Los Angeles. The WGA has been trying to get independent producers...
Actress and a non-union writer Shauni Weatherly wears Star Trek Vulcan ears as she walks the picket line to express her support for members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) outside the gates of...   (Associated Press)
Tom Cruise arrives to the 23rd annual Moving Image Salute gala in New York, Tuesday, Nov., 6, 2007. The gala, which will honor Cruise, raises funds to support the Museum's education programs. ( AP Photo/Stuart Ramson)
Tom Cruise arrives to the 23rd annual Moving Image Salute gala in New York, Tuesday, Nov., 6, 2007. The gala, which will honor Cruise, raises funds to support the Museum's education programs. ( AP Photo/Stuart...   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

Scribes Cut Deal With Tom Cruise's UA

Cruise's Partner Quits UA

Hey, Tara, the Strike Is Over

Movie Industry on a Roll

Weinstein Reaches WGA Deal


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne