Okay, so it’s a bit presumptuous to assume that a SAG strike is a foregone conclusion. For sure, it’ll be interesting to see what impact, if any, the Kate Walsh led “United for Strength” group has in its ongoing dissention with SAG leadership. Nevertheless, you do not have to make your living in the film industry to acknowledge that this entire ordeal could become a major pain in the ass. Even if you are just a casual movie lover, you too will be affected. Thankfully, a couple of big productions have recently wrapped, thus beating any real (or imaginary) strike deadline that may (or may not) be looming.

First off, the new Terrence Malick film Tree of Life (2009) that I told you about back in May has completed its shooting schedule and is now in post-production. You may very well have known this already given that the film’s two stars, Brad Pitt and Sean Penn, have been busy in recent days with newborn babies and supporting SAG leadership respectively.

Also in post-production is Tetro (2009) - the newest work from Francis Ford Coppola. Shot exclusively in Argentina and Spain, Tetro promises to offer further extensions of themes traditionally explored by Coppola; namely, inner-reflection and outward combustibility. When certain members of an influential Italian family struggle with their namesake’s past reputation and traditions in modern times, new rivalries are born. Budding superstar Javier Bardem (No Country for Old Men) was originally cast to play the lead role of Tetro, but has since been replaced with American actor Vincent Gallo (Buffalo 66). Another big film that “beat the deadline” is Michael Mann’s newest effort, Public Enemies (2009). This film is going to be huge. Johnny Depp is portraying legendary gunslinger John Dillinger and the seemingly ubiquitous Christian Bale plays the guy out to stop him, FBI agent Melvin Purvis. Aside from tracking Dillinger, Purvis also hunted down other infamous Depression-era gangsters such as Pretty Boy Floyd and Baby Face Nelson (played in the film by Channing Tatum and Stephen Graham, respectively). If you know Michael Mann, then you know this film has Oscar written all over it.

Similarly, Martin Scorsese came in on time with Shutter Island (2009), a true story based on the hunt for an escaped female killer who was thought to have taken refuge on a remote island. The ensemble cast includes - you guessed it - Leonardo DiCaprio, Sir Ben Kingsley, Mark Ruffalo, Michelle Williams, and the legendary Max Von Sydow (yes, he’s still alive). At least we know 2009 will see the release of these four ditties with or without a strike. In limbo at this point is Steven Spielberg’s upcoming film Tintin, which is currently in pre-production, as well as Quentin Tarantino’s long awaited World War II film, Inglorious Bastards (in which Brad Pitt has been attached to star). Good luck.

Story by Chris Virnig.