NOMINEES LUNCH: GANIS VOWS SHOW WILL GO ON; GUILD STILL CAUTIONING DEAL NOT DONE (VAR, THR, DHD, LAT, NYT)

By Nancy Vialatte

At yesterday’s annual Oscar nominees luncheon, Academy president Sid Ganis vowed that the 80th Annual Academy Awards will take place as scheduled Feb. 24 at the Kodak Theatre, strike or no strike. "There's no doubt about it. We're going to do it," he said to an outburst of applause.

In total, 115 nominees gathered Monday in the Beverly Hilton's International Ballroom where Ganis immediately sought to dispel any fears that the writers strike, whether or not it's resolved by showtime, might derail the Oscars the way it shut down the Golden Globes.

"Of course, we really, really hope that the negotiations between the writers and the producers - which we now hear are going very, very well - will have reached a conclusion that everyone is pleased with," Ganis said. "Mainly so that the industry and the workers of the industry are functioning again but also because it will allow our amazing producer Gil Cates to put on the sort of show we all want to see.

"But regardless of those circumstances, which are beyond our control, we will be presenting awards as scheduled on the 24th,” Ganis continued. “We're going to hand out Oscars not because of some showbiz notion that the show must go on - it's not the show per se that matters…The Oscar exists to shine the brightest possible light on you and your work, and it would be such a terrible shame, through no fault of yours and no fault of ours, if the current conditions prevented us from shining that brightest possible light."

And, reports The New York Times, to bolster his point with a little humor, Ganis displayed an official certificate of nomination that read, “Must be present to win.”

Indeed, the mood was lighter than it might have been just last week, say reports. But Academy executive director Bruce Davis maintained, "We're not out of the woods yet."

The strike-weary crowd displayed its own optimism.

"I hope things get resolved, but they should get resolved properly," Viggo Mortensen said. "I'm a positive individual. I think the sun will come up tomorrow, that the strike will get resolved and the awards will happen."

Michael Moore said, "This is really so odd that this town be shut down because of two cents. I'm thinking of starting a penny drive asking Americans to send their pennies to Rupert Murdoch and various studios."

Regarding the upcoming SAG talks, George Clooney suggested that negotiators get cracking on a film and TV contract to replace the one set to expire June 30. “They seem to think they can get the best deal by waiting until the last minute to negotiate. But that's a mistake because people are strike-weary right now."

“Ratatouille’s” Brad Bird chimed in, "I just hope that it gets resolved and won't be an issue. But certainly if the strike is still on, I would not cross the line. Really, I think it's in the studios' best interest to have an environment where writers can stay in the game."

Tony Gilroy, nominated for the "Michael Clayton" screenplay and direction, was cautiously optimistic about an end to the strike. "I really hope that there's a settlement, and I really hope it's a good deal the leadership of the Writers Guild can sign off on," Gilroy said. "It's my absolute hope I can dress up and go (to the Oscars)."

Sources on both sides of the WGA negotiations said a tentative contract agreement appears within reach within the next couple of weeks.

Citing industry sources, Nikki Finke at DeadlineHollywoodDaily.com reports that Patric Verrone, Dave Young and John Bowman - the WGA leadership involved in Friday's breakthrough session of talks with Peter Chernin and Bob Iger - are recommending the deal hashed out Friday.

However, a deal can not be voted on until it is drafted. If something, or someone, gets tricky with the language or terms, then writing down what was agreed to becomes a major haggle. "Everything needs to be in writing. So there's still a possibility that this thing could get fucked," an insider told Finke. "The DGA has five months to put its shit in writing but the WGA has to get it all in writing before the strike can be called off. There has to be a draft and that has to be approved."

Without problems, the draft could be done by week's end but sources say the union is pressuring the WGA to schedule the vote as soon as possible. Once both the WGA negotiating committee and the WGA board approve the deal, then the guild leaders would call off the strike immediately.

A letter sent to members from WGA Negotiating Committee Chair John Bowman yesterday evening read:

Dear Fellow Members:

I would like to update you on where we stand with bargaining with the AMPTP. While we have made important progress since the companies re-engaged us in serious talks, negotiations continue. Regardless of what you hear or read, there are many significant points that have yet to be worked out.

In order to keep members abreast of the latest developments, informational meetings are being planned by both Guilds for this weekend - details to be announced. Neither the Negotiating Committee, nor the West Board or the East Council, will take action on the contract until after the membership meetings.

As the talks proceed, never forget that during this period it is critical for us to remain on the picket lines united and strong. We are all in this together.