SAG-AFTRA & Studio Talks “Much Rockier Than Usual” Today; Pause “Likely” In Negotiations

deadline.com:

After a rough day of negotiations Wednesday, the actors guild and the studios have pulled the plug for now. Things were distinctly “much rockier than usual” today a veteran dealmaker says.

Another source confirmed, “it did not go well today.” The insider added: “Things are uncertain, but a step back from talks looks likely.” With issues like the guild’s revenue sharing proposal and AI still proving sticking points, today’s talks at SAG-AFTRA’s Wilshire Boulevard offices, once again saw NBCUniversal’s Donna Langley, Warner Bros Discovery’s David Zaslav, Netflix’s Ted Sarandos, and Disney’s Bob Iger in attendance.

As they did for most of the successful five-day fast and furious final negotiations with the scribes, the CEO Gang of Four have been participating this round of deliberations with SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher, chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland and other guild leaders.

Tonight, the CEOs were joined by executives from others studios in what was being referred to as “high council session.” The parties came back to the table from a day away from deliberations with very different takes on the proposals being pushed across the table, I hear. “There is some serious sunlight between them right now on revenue sharing,” an insider noted, also using the wide ranging AI proposal SAG-AFTRA put forth as another example of obstacles in the talks. “No spin, there’s no other way to put it.” “Both sides are committed to the process, but it is complicated stuff, and everyone wants to give the points the time and attention they deserved,” a guild source close to the bargaining told Deadline.