Dreamworks to Disney?

[CTXRover]

I'm pretty sure Dreamworks animation and Dreamworks live action movies are now two separate divisions after Dreamworks split from Paramount earlier in 2008. If I remember right, under the previously announced distribution deal with Universal, the animation studio/Katzenburg side of things was not part of that deal. I imagine if Disney does distribute Dreamworks films, it will only be for their live action division and would have no effect on the animation side of things.

As for the Transformers ride, probably doesn't have any effect. Any film franchises or properties that Paramount and Dreamworks started or worked on together prior to their split remain property of Paramount who likely striked the theme park rights deal, but I don't know for sure.

Of course, one has to wonder if that means that Spielberg will no longer be as an active in performing the role of a 'consultant' for Universal theme parks if he is part of the Disney team (but likely a distribution deal like this would probably not play much into that either)

 

[SWatsi]

Well as with the above comment, I understand it that Dreamworks are two seperate companies these days.
Dreamworks Animation is not part of Dreamworks anymore or something along those lines, so anything that went on with Dreamworks now would exclude the animated films (Shrek to Kung Fu Panda) and presumably Katzenberg as well??

It would seem weird to see Disney and Dreamworks pair together however.

 

[hokielutz]

All,

Here is another source of the Dreamworks 2.0 impending deal with Disney. This hollywood news/rumor site says its a done deal

http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.c...-universal-decision-expected-within-48-hours/

3RD UPDATE: I hear DreamWorks' deal with Disney is done and will be announced next week.
2ND UPDATE WRITETHRU (refresh for new info throughout): I can report exclusively that financially desperate DreamWorks needed $250 million -- $100M immediately and $150M later in the second tranche -- to save its foundering Bollywood partnership. So Stacey Snider and Steven Spielberg demanded to change the terms of their deal with Universal already announced to the world so it would now include straight distribution and a $250M investment. But Universal balked. The studio was very reluctant to even invest $100M.
As the negotiations dragged on for weeks, that's when DreamWorks began secret talks with Disney, which by all accounts would be a better partner strategically. When I found out about the DreamWorks/Disney negotiations last night, DreamWorks suddenly began d__________g my calls. Because Snider/Spielberg have been moving heaven and earth to make sure no one in the media found out the true details of just what a fiscal crisis their company is in. Also last night, I confirmed that Universal didn't even know that any DreamWorks talks were going on with Disney until I asked about them. You see, DreamWorks had hoped to play Disney and Universal off one another and snag the best deal for itself within the next 48 hours.
But this morning, Universal got the upper hand: it PULLED OUT of its deal with DreamWorks. "We weren't going further. This deal got to the point where it's not in our interest," a furious Universal bigwig just told me. "And then when you learn they're negotiating behind your back, it reflects upon what kind of partners you're getting into business with." I've also learned that, today, Snider phoned Universal Studios prez/COO Ron Meyer to apologize. "We had to do this. Our backs were against the wall. We couldn't tell anyone about our discussions with Disney." To which Meyer replied, "What you did was wrong on every level. You guys behaved like pigs." [I now hear that Snider is offended that Meyer called her that.]

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

Wow, how much self love does that journalist have, especially as to the vast majority it will be "yeah so??".

 

[jt04]

Wow, how much self love does that journalist have, especially as to the vast majority it will be "yeah so??".

It's only "yeah so" outside the US, except India of course.

*returns to popcorn*:slurp:

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

It's only "yeah so" outside the US, except India of course.

*returns to popcorn*:slurp:

What colonials get excited buy whos distributing a film, where it was funded from or which studios made it? I just watch them.:shrug:

And Im no geography major but thats quite a big yeah so. :animwink:

 

[jt04]

What colonials get excited buy whos distributing a film, where it was funded from or which studios made it? I just watch them.:shrug:

And Im no geography major but thats quite a big yeah so. :animwink:

Sorry, I forgot Canada.


Actually Disney potentially teaming with Speilberg is big news everywhere except Nakasak-land apparently.

 

[DisneyDellsDude]

I don't care for Dreamworks.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

Sorry, I forgot Canada.


Actually Disney potentially teaming with Speilberg is big news everywhere except Nakasak-land apparently.

Thats cause Im keeping it real, and watching Bloomberg. And round these parts Bollywood IS the movie industry.

 

[Pongo]

Whoa, this is weird. It's like the world has been turned upside-down all of a sudden.

 

[PaisleyMF]

Wasn't at some point George Lucas trying to bring them to the dark side. Making sure Disney can make deals with Lucasfils, Pixar and Dreamwork SKG?

 

[ms7479a]

I guess I'm not really understanding what Disney is getting out of this supposed deal? It's not as though Disney is actually buying Dreamworks. What benefits would Disney get by being the distributor of Dreamworks films? Sorry for my ignorance when it comes to the business of the movie industry.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

I guess I'm not really understanding what Disney is getting out of this supposed deal? It's not as though Disney is actually buying Dreamworks. What benefits would Disney get by being the distributor of Dreamworks films? Sorry for my ignorance when it comes to the business of the movie industry.

Thats why I dont get the excitement, or perhaps Im not reading between the lines enough to detect the seismic shift in my movie going theme park visiting guest experience

 

[pheneix]

Disney is probably getting an equity stake in Dreamworks as part of the deal. DW needs cash like a drug addict and Disney still has a little bit of money left. The cash investment DW needs to continue operations is what tore the Universal deal apart.

I'm trying to figure out what this means for Spielberg and Universal. My understanding as of now is that Spielberg will no longer have a stake in Universal Parks and Resorts at the conclusion of this deal.

 

[tirian]

I don't care for Dreamworks.

Neither do I, except for a few live-action films. All I care about is that this officially means the Spielberg/Disney relationship is mended, and Roger Rabbit may finally come back to life in the Disney parks.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

Disney is probably getting an equity stake in Dreamworks as part of the deal. DW needs cash like a drug addict and Disney still has a little bit of money left. The cash investment DW needs to continue operations is what tore the Universal deal apart.

I'm trying to figure out what this means for Spielberg and Universal. My understanding as of now is that Spielberg will no longer have a stake in Universal Parks and Resorts at the conclusion of this deal.

Is this the money saved by cutting Fantasmic?

 

[MousDad]

Thats why I dont get the excitement, or perhaps Im not reading between the lines enough to detect the seismic shift in my movie going theme park visiting guest experience

Reading between the lines is a wdwmagic requirement. For example:

You have to be able to read the following sentence: "Today Dreamworks SKG has revealed that they are shopping for a new distributor."

and compute in your brain that it says: "It's clear that the folks in Imagineering are fed up and are finally going to move the BAH to the entrance plaza."

or that it also says: "Disney's financial woes are truly past (if they ever existed)."

or: "John Lasseter has finally figured out a way to oust Jay Rasulo."

You know, 2 + 2 = 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8.

 

[Captain Chaos]

Is this the money saved by cutting Fantasmic?

No. it is the money saved from the do nothing managers in WDW being shown the exit...

 

[Enigma]

This has been floating around for over a year. IMO I doubt it'll ever happen, and the NY Times has not been know for its truthful reporting in over a decade. :lol:

EDIT: Yet everybody declines to comment. Hmmmm. No comment is often an affirmation.

It's gonna happen. Announcement coming Monday.

Steven Spielberg has big plans for the parks :zipit:

 

[Enigma]

I guess I'm not really understanding what Disney is getting out of this supposed deal? It's not as though Disney is actually buying Dreamworks. What benefits would Disney get by being the distributor of Dreamworks films? Sorry for my ignorance when it comes to the business of the movie industry.

It's the same deal Disney had with Pixar pre-buyout. Dreamworks films will be distributed by Disney and Disney will have the right to place those properties in the parks and play their films on disney's channels.