After 146 days, the WGA and AMPTP finally came to a tentative agreement that will allow writers to get the fair pay and compensation that they deserve. With the writers expected to be back to work in mid-October, all eyes turn to the actors. They’ve been on strike for 73 days and everyone is asking the same question: When will actors get fair pay and treatment?

Well, it could be sooner than we thought.

Sources have indicated to OTN that getting a deal done with the WGA was the key for discussions with SAG-AFTRA to even be considered. The unions actually share quite a few problems in common and it’s expected that SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP will use some of the terms for the WGA as a template and foundation for a new deal. No talks have been scheduled between the two guilds yet. However, it is understood there is a sense of urgency from the studios as they can no longer afford to wait any longer. The two unions could begin talks as early as tomorrow and, while extremely, EXTREMELY unlikely, maybe have a deal by the end of the week if all goes well. This last scenario is a pipe dream but still possible should talks advance faster than expected. Sources indicate it is more likely they will begin talks at the start of next week.

UPDATE: On September 27th, 2023, SAG-AFTRA confirmed our original report and will be meeting with the AMPTP on Monday, October 3.

Studios are banking on a deal being done in time for their fall releases to get promo tours from their actors. While not a guarantee, The first films to have full on press junkets and premieres with actors will likely be The Marvels and The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. For this to happen, a deal will ideally be done by October 22 at the latest and hope that once the tentative deal is reached, SAG-AFTRA will ease up on their no promo rule. If they don’t ease up on the rule, a deal will have to be done a week earlier on October 15 at the latest. It is unknown if the studios are still prepping press junkets and tours in the event the strike ends in time.

(L-R): Iman Vellani as Ms. Marvel/Kamala Khan, Brie Larson as Captain Marvel/Carol Danvers, and Teyonah Parris as Captain Monica Rambeau in Marvel Studios’ THE MARVELS. Photo by Laura Radford. © 2023 MARVEL.

However, there is a hiccup

As early as tomorrow, the video game industry could join SAG-AFTRA in their strike and possibly affect deals for the union as a whole, should president Fran Drescher choose to fight for both unions at the same time, the strike could potentially last longer than originally expected. This scenario seems unlikely as the majority of studios have investor calls coming up or fiscal years and will likely want this strike done in under 20 days.

Until SAG-AFTRA ends, we will continue to support them as actors fight for the fair pay and compensation that they deserve. You can donate to the SAG-AFTRA Fund, The Snacklist, Strike Tacos and the Entertainment Community Fund to show your support!