WGA, Marvel sign interim agreement

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 24 (UPI) -- Marvel Studios, a subsidiary of Marvel Entertainment Inc., and the striking Writers Guild of America Thursday said they have reached an interim agreement.

The comprehensive pact will put writers immediately back to work on the Marvel Studios development slate, a statement on the WGA Web site announced.

Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

"We're very excited about our summer releases, 'Iron Man' and 'The Incredible Hulk,' and look forward to resuming work with writers on our future projects, including 'Captain America,' 'Thor,' 'Ant-Man' and 'The Avengers,'" Marvel Studios Chairman David Maisel said in the statement.

"Marvel Studios' signing of an interim agreement with the Writers Guild is more good news for our membership," WGA East President Michael Winship and WGA West President Patric M. Verrone added in a joint statement. "Marvel is committed to fairly compensating their writers and now they can move forward with their planned production schedule."

Marvel Studios recently launched its independent live-action film studio to develop, produce and fully finance Marvel movies, which will include two of this summer's most eagerly awaited releases -- "Iron Man" and "The Incredible Hulk."

The WGA has been on strike against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers since Nov. 5.