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The Writers Guild of America West has an issue with the company behind The Expendables franchise and Has Fallen films. WGA West President Meredith Stiehm and other leaders today sent a “Do Not Work” order to members about writing for Rambo producer Avi Lerner’s Millennium Pictures.
“The Guild has had to bring a significant number of claims against Millennium over the years for the company’s failure to pay writers initial compensation and residuals, as well as failure to pay writers within the timeframe established in the MBA,” the memo states (read it in full below). “The Guild has determined that Millennium is not financially responsible and requires the posting of an adequate bond before it can become signatory. Millennium has, to date, refused to do so.”
Millennium Films did not immediately respond to Deadline’s request for comment; we will update this post if and when we hear back.
The production company has been a signatory on previous WGA contracts but not on the one hammered out after last year’s 148-day writers strike. Its credits also include such films as Prozan Nation, The Hitman’s Bodyguard, Hellboy, 2008’s Rambo and its sequel Rambo: Last Blood
Here is the WGA leadership’s memo to members in full:
Dear Members,
We are writing to alert you that WGA members are prohibited under Working Rule 8 from performing writing services for, or optioning or selling literary material to, Millennium Pictures, Inc. (Millennium), or any affiliate thereof.
Millennium is not signatory to the 2023 MBA.
The Guild has had to bring a significant number of claims against Millennium over the years for the company’s failure to pay writers initial compensation and residuals, as well as failure to pay writers within the timeframe established in the MBA. The Guild has determined that Millennium is not financially responsible and requires the posting of an adequate bond before it can become signatory. Millennium has, to date, refused to do so.
It is crucial that Millennium be prevented from undercutting writers’ standards and conditions. Until there is resolution, Millennium cannot be allowed to benefit from writing services provided by WGA members.
If you have been approached or employed by Millennium to work on a project since May 1, 2023, or if you have any questions or concerns please contact legal@wga.org.
In solidarity,
Meredith Stiehm, President
Michele Mulroney, Vice President
Betsy Thomas, Secretary-Treasurer
