Transformers 2 and SAG Strike

The Writer Strike may be over but June 30th is another date to watch for as that is when the Screen Actor's Guild strike could start. If that occurs apparently it will stop Transformers 2 production and could delay the release of the film. Hopes are high that an agreement could be worked out, but in the meantime the studios are preparing for the worse by delaying the greenlighting of films or not starting production on films that may not complete by the contract expiration date.

From Variety when talking to Michael Bay about the issue:

"Transformers 2" director Michael Bay said the labor cloud has made the process harder, but not impossible as he tries to keep the film on track for its June 26, 2009 release.

"If there is a strike, we shut down, but shutting down isn't that big a deal," Bay said. "You make accommodations, you make a deal with vending houses on equipment and on the stages where you are shooting. You hope for the best, but you can't be incapacitated by the possibility that there will be a strike. We've got to get this town back to work. I can't imagine anyone wants another strike, we're all tired. Hopefully clearer heads will prevail."

Bay said that the sequel is still recovering from the writer's strike, and that he's playing catch-up after getting back his trio of writers, Ehren Kruger, Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci.

"They did a detailed outline before the writer's strike, and now they are in Michael Bay jail, holed up in a hotel and working feverishly," Bay said. "We're paying for a beautiful suite and they are getting a lot of work done. Hiring three writers was unusual, but it has been a godsend in getting us to where we need to be. Somehow you find a way to get it done."