Spielberg’s Dreakworks signs 7-year deal with Universal Studios

October 14th, 2008 by Scott Marks

Be sure to check out the anti-Spielberg video at the end of this post. I guarantee satisfaction.

The NBC peacock will soon be to contracting a foliar disease. After Paramount’s Bronson Gate hit Steve Spielberg squarely on his backside, it didn’t take a genius to predict where DreamWorks pictures would make its next home.

Nikkie FInke reports NBC/Universal signed an exclusive 7 year deal to distribute up to six DreamWorks movies a year domestically and overseas, except for India, executives for both companies said Monday. In an alliance with Reliance Big Entertainment of India, DreamWorks has lined up $1.5 billion to finance its future film slate. Reliance is handling distribution of DreamWorks films in India.

Stacey Snider, former chairwoman of Universal Pictures, remains DreamWorks chief executive officer, a position she’s held since 2006.

Why didn’t SKG simply sign on with Universal when it began in 1994? Surely Universal should have snatched it up when DreamWorks went on the auction block in 2006. After Hitchcock died (perhaps even before), Steve lived on as the studio’s star directorial attraction. When Universal discovered Steve back in 1968, he became the youngest director ever to be signed to a long-term deal with a major Hollywood studio. Spielberg’s production company Amblin has called Universal home since 1981.

The “G” in SKG negotiated the deal but is not joining the new incarnation of DreamWorks.

Here’s the official news release:

WARNING: SLOPPY ASS KISSING AHEAD!

Los Angeles, CA (October 13, 2008) - Stacey Snider and Steven Spielberg today announced a 7-year worldwide distribution deal between their new motion picture company and Universal Studios, which is expected to begin in 2009 and include approximately 6 films per year.

Snider and Spielberg recently departed Paramount Pictures to partner with Reliance Big Entertainment on a new motion picture company. Reliance Big will distribute the new company’s projects in India.

“We are delighted to be back in business with Steven and Stacey and the rest of their superb team,” said Jeff Zucker, President and CEO of NBC Universal. “They are longtime friends of ours and terrific moviemakers. We are honored to be part of the next chapter of their success.”

“We couldn’t be more pleased to welcome the DreamWorks team back to Universal and our long history of success together will continue. As always, it is an honor to do business with Steven Spielberg, one of the most prolific directors of our generation and our long-time friend and colleague Stacey Snider, who is one of the finest film executives in our business.” said Ron Meyer, President & COO, Universal Studios.

“Steven and I have both enjoyed successful, long-time relationships with Ron Meyer and everyone at Universal,” said Stacey Snider. “Having spent a decade in the Universal family, I’m very familiar with their talented distribution and marketing teams, under the dynamic leadership of Marc Shmuger and David Linde. Steven and I are looking forward to this new association with our old friends.”

“Universal has always been my home base so this agreement starts a new chapter in what has been a long and successful association,” said Steven Spielberg. “While it feels great to come home again, it feels like I never left, and Stacey and I look forward to working once again with our friends and colleagues, old and new. It’s an exciting time for us and we want it to be equally as productive and rewarding for Universal.”

“We are looking forward to a long, productive relationship bringing DreamWorks films to audiences around the globe,” said Chairman of Universal Pictures Marc Shmuger of the DreamWorks Universal partnership. Co-Chairman, Universal Pictures David Linde added: “We are glad to be adding DreamWorks films to Universal’s slate. Steven and Stacey are some of the best in the business and we look forward to being in business with them again.”

David Geffen negotiated the deal on behalf of the new motion picture company. As previously announced, Geffen will not be joining Snider and Spielberg in the new company.

“David Geffen has been my partner for 14 years, my advisor for 30 and will be my friend for life,” said Spielberg. “DreamWorks will have a second chapter because of David’s vision and indomitable spirit.”

Snider added, “Steven and I could not be embarking upon this new adventure were it not for the brilliance, dedication and loyalty of David Geffen. I am forever grateful.”

Related Link:
SPIELBERG GOES BOLLYWOOD!

This is a clip from a direct to video masterstroke, the name of which I have been trying to call to mind for years. The DVD was given to me as a gift the week it came out in 2003. Eager to spread the hate, I loaned it to someone and haven’t seen it since.

Reflections of Evil is the brainchild of Director, Actor, Writer, Cinematographer, Producer, Editor, and Sound Guy, Damon Packard. David Reynolds’ mini-bio of Mr. Packard begins, ” The name which could have been synonymous with Steven Spielberg. Perhaps in a parallel dimension, but as things would turn out, not this one.” Packard is a world class Spielberg hater whose open hostility rivals even mine!

In the past I have always been a champion of style and form as an expressive means of storytelling and a staunch foe of message pictures. I was wrong, so wrong, as this picture proves. It has something to do with an obese guy selling watches and a sister who overdosed on PCP and Spielberg. Mid-picture there is a flashback to a childhood ride on the gay tour of Universal Studios. This segment shows our hero’s soon-to-be-dead sister escaping the tram and stumbling across Young Steven Spielberg (as he’s billed), masterfully brought to life by performance artist Dean Spunt. Sadly, I can’t find the scene with Schindler’s List: The Ride, so you’ll just have to rent, no buy it at Amazon.com! You won’t regret it. Just don’t loan it out!