LOS ANGELES - STRIKING Hollwyood screenwriters could return to work within days after union leaders and studio chiefs agreed a deal to end the bitter three-month old dispute, it was reported.

The Los Angeles Times reported on Friday that major studios and the Writers Guild of America (WGA) were putting the finishing touches to a three-year contract that would be presented to writers over the weekend.

The WGA could formally approve the deal on Sunday, leaving writers who have been on strike since early November free to return to work as early as Monday, the Times said, citing people close to the negotiations.

Negotiations broke down over the issue of profits from sales of films and television programs downloaded from the Internet.

The strike sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry, forcing the cancellation or postponement of several popular United States television shows and numerous high-profile movie projects.

It also severely disrupted Hollywood's annual awards season, leading to the cancellation of the Golden Globes awards after actors vowed to boycott the event and casting a shadow over preparations for the Feb 24 Oscars.

'Everyone is motivated to get back to work as quickly as possible,' said Jonathan Littman, president of Jerry Bruckheimer Television, which produces CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. 'They want to begin producing as many original episodes as they can.'

The Times reported that several films hit by the strike could also swing back into production, including the Da Vinci Code prequel Angels & Demons and Warner Bros' Shantaram, starring Johnny Depp. -- AFP

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