Dreamworks to Ditch Universal for Disney Distribution?
Posted by Rodneyon 09. 02. 2009in News Chat
Dreamworks is taking on the “Plenty of Fish in the Sea” approach to finding a mate to distribute their films. Originally ditching Paramount for Universal, now just months after its deal seemed done Dreamworks is rumoured to be negotiating with Disney instead!
The talks came as Universal, a unit of General Electric Co.’s NBC Universal, said in a statement it ended negotiations with DreamWorks on a distribution deal the two announced in October, saying Spielberg’s company has “demanded material changes to previously agreed upon terms.”“It is clear that DreamWorks’ needs and Universal’s business interests are no longer in alignment,” Universal said.
DreamWorks SKG had agreed to the deal with Universal after the production house parted ways with Viacom Inc. subsidiary Paramount Pictures, which previously distributed DreamWorks’ films.
Not entirely sure how this is breaking down, but it looks like Universal just isn’t the match that Spielberg thought it would be and he is apparently pulling out.
But would Disney really want to distribute films by the studio that has been the only real competition to their animated releases lately? I guess it’s all about money, and Disney would get a cut. So why not?
I can just imagine how this would affect his realestate angle since his office is on the Universal Lot. Plenty of awkward pauses at the parking lot.
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The Dreamworks deal with Universal and now possibly Disney is just live action films. Dreamworks Animation is still in a longtime deal with Viacom/Paramount.
In reality Dreamworks SKG is just Spielberg’s now. Geffen bowed out and Katzenberg runs Dreamworks Animation. So Disney would not be getting in bed with their animation competition (they already did that when they bought Pixar.)
Yeah it would be odd for Spielberg since he has had his office at Universal since the first Indiana Jones film.
Even if they don’t get the animation side, it will be interesting to see how the dynamics work out between the animation division and Disney, as many of its animators and even Katzenburg were once Disney employees.
To Michael:
Pixar was never really in competition with Disney… there were talks of a split in 2006, but once Eisner was removed from Disney and Iger took over, the relationshipw as salvaged.
Berry berry inkalesting.
Dreamworks should go back to distributing their own product like they did for years. They were an excellent company to deal with and have enough product to handle a distribution arm. Disney wouldn’t necesarily have Dreamworks best interest at heart….money or no money.
I am certainly glad that they are not going with Universal a company that lost all scruples years ago.
I was very excited to see the movie “The Soloist”, associated with DreamWorks. I would not take a million dollars now to go see it after Jamie’s comment about Mylie Cyress. And, I’m not even a Mylie Cyress fan. All the movies I owned with Jamie Foxx in them have now been thrown in the trash. And, I will not ever see another movie with him in it.
Russell Crowe is known for being a jerk to people too… doesnt mean he isnt a good actor.