MUMBAI: As the Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike continues, the smaller film studios have started signing deals with the organisation. The three latest companies to have done interim deals with WGA are RKO, Lionsgate and Marvel Studios.

RKO's current production schedule, to be announced shortly, includes several original screen projects, as well as the financing, production and distribution of a number of new versions of classic films from RKO's 1,300-film library.

RKO's CEO Ted Hartley says, “The negotiation with the Guild was smooth and businesslike; they kept their agreement and we kept ours. It all moved ahead at a steady pace and resulted in good feelings on both sides. This now releases the pent-up energies of the talented executives, producers and writers at RKO. We all are eager to get back to creating great films and innovative programming today.”

In its statement, the WGA notes that in the past, RKO gave the world such classics as King Kong, Citizen Kane and It's a Wonderful Life. "Now it looks to the future, signing an interim agreement that recognises fair and respectful compensation for writers on the Internet and in new media. We applaud their forward thinking and are pleased to join with them in this agreement,” adds the satement.

Another company that did a deal is Marvel Studios. It has recently launched its film studio to develop, produce and fully finance Marvel movies, which will include Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk. The WGA praised Marvel for being committed to fairly compensating their writers and says that they can now move forward with their planned production schedule.

Earlier, The Weinstein Company, United Artists, Sidney Kimmel Entertainment, Spyglass Entertainment, MRC, Jackson Bites, Mandate Films and Worldwide Pants all signed deals with WGA.