Negotiations between the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and Hollywood studios are set to resume on Thursday, as the two sides aim to resolve a nearly five-month labor dispute that has disrupted film and television production. After a month-long hiatus, representatives from the WGA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) came together for talks on Wednesday. In a joint statement issued later that evening, they confirmed their plans to continue bargaining the following day.

To inject momentum into the negotiations, several high-profile industry figures were present at Wednesday's meeting. Disney CEO Bob Iger, Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos, Comcast's NBCUniversal Studio Group Chairman Donna Langley, and Warner Bros Discovery CEO David Zaslav joined the discussions, according to a source close to the studios. Those present described the session as "encouraging," and the four executives are expected to return for further talks on Thursday.

The strike by the WGA began in May, prompted by a deadlock in negotiations over key issues such as compensation, minimum staffing requirements for writers' rooms, and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the industry. Alongside the WGA's strike, the SAG-AFTRA actors union also initiated a work stoppage in July, marking the first time in 63 years that Hollywood has faced simultaneous strikes by both writers and actors. However, at present, no talks are scheduled between the actors and the studios.

Ahead of Wednesday's negotiations, the WGA issued a note to its members, urging them to continue picketing outside studio offices until a fair agreement is reached. The union emphasized its commitment to securing a favorable deal for writers as quickly as possible and acknowledged that communications may be limited during the negotiation process.

The primary demands of the WGA pertain to fair compensation for writers and the implementation of safeguards regarding the use of artificial intelligence. These issues have been central to the standoff between the WGA and the AMPTP, which represents major media companies such as Netflix, Disney, and others.

As the negotiations resume on Thursday, the hopes of both the WGA and Hollywood studios are pinned on reaching a mutually acceptable agreement that will allow the resumption of normal production activities. The outcome of these talks will not only determine the immediate future of the entertainment industry but also shape the landscape of labor relations within Hollywood.