Get ready for an expensive strike that’ll either raise ticket prices or force more crap movies into theaters as the Writers Guild of America has overwhelmingly voted (90%) to authorize an immediate strike at any moment. The last time this union went on strike was nearly two decades ago and it lasted for over 5 months, costing an estimated $500 million to the industry. Inflate that number to today’s dollar and you can start guessing what your next movie ticket is going to cost you. Thanks Hollywood! The Associated Press reports:

Since July, the guild has been in talks with film studios and production companies represented by the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. Both sides acknowledge they have not made progress.

Nick Counter, the alliance’s president, said he was not surprised by the vote.

“Our focus is on negotiating a reasonable agreement with the WGA,” he said in a news release.

A key issue dividing producers and writers, as well as actors, whose contract expires next June, is compensation for DVD sales and productions that get distributed on the Internet or in other new media formats.

The writers’ current three-year contract expires Oct. 31, and their vote gives the union’s leaders authorization to call a strike anytime after that day.

Now’s the time for me to strike with my red hot script for Attack of the Killer Space Kittens! With Hollywood’s credible writers marching behind poster boards the studios will fall to my mercy! Muahahahah!