Writers Strike's Monday End?

Striking Hollywood writers could return to work as early as Monday.

They’ve been off for three months, however if they embrace a contract deal that union leaders are said to endorse the dispute could finally be over.

The outcome hinges on meetings set for Saturday in New York and Los Angeles where rank-and-file members of the Writers Guild of America will be briefed on a labour pact taking shape in talks with studio executives over the past two weeks.

Meanwhile, Hollywood is chomping at the bit to get its writers back at their computer keyboards.

TV studios and networks are waiting to jump-start production on some of the biggest prime-time dramas and comedies knocked off the air or into reruns by the strike, hoping to salvage what is left of the broadcast season.

On the film side, a back-to-work order would allow producers to resume production on several movies put on hold including Steven Spielberg's political drama The Trials of the Chicago 7 and superhero movies X-Men Origins: Wolverine and Justice League.