The deal, struck after a week-long second round of talks, includes a sizable studio contribution to the actors' pension fund and new AI guardrails.
An official announcement was expected later Saturday or on Sunday, with neither side immediately commenting on the agreement.
The pact follows the WGA's recent four-year deal with AI safeguards and healthcare funding, leaving the DGA as the last major Hollywood guild yet to settle before talks on 11 May.
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The guilds won AI 'guardrails,' but with studios hiring AI chiefs, who is truly shaping Hollywood's creative future?
Writers secured record benefits but made major concessions. Was the price for avoiding a strike ultimately too high?
Hollywood’s 2026 SAG-AFTRA Deal: Landmark AI Consent Rules and Enhanced Pension Funding Avoid Strike
Overview
On May 2, 2026, SAG-AFTRA reached a landmark four-year agreement with the AMPTP, avoiding a repeat of the damaging 2023 actors' strike. The deal secured major gains including enhanced pension funding, improved streaming residuals, and strong AI protections that require informed consent and fair compensation for digital replicas. Led by Duncan Crabtree-Ireland and Sean Astin, the union prioritized protecting healthcare coverage and resisted longer contract terms to maintain flexibility amid rapid industry changes. Early, coordinated negotiations and a conciliatory tone helped reach this agreement, which now moves to member ratification. This contract sets a new standard for performer rights and shapes upcoming talks with the Directors Guild.