Universal pencils loan into DreamWorks bid
Universal is the prohibitive favorite to win distribution rights on films produced by the new DreamWorks, with ongoing talks focused on a related $150 million loan from NBC Universal to the soon-to-launch company. The loan could be drawn upon only if other bank funds were exhausted, and its recoupment would be subordinate to DreamWorks’ senior
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Universal, Mandalay chase ‘Harry’
Universal Pictures has picked up the rights to Lauren Weisberger’s novel “Chasing Harry Winston” for Andy Tennant to direct and Mandalay Pictures to produce. Gina Wendkos will pen the adaptation of the book that revolves around three young women who each vow to change their entire lives
Universal Announces Three New Hitchcock Discs
From Cine: I’ve lost count of how many times these movies have been released on DVD, but (wow) I don’t own any of ‘em yet, so here’s a perfect excuse. DVDActive has the (very thorough)
Universal acquires ‘Dragonology’ rights
Universal has acquired the film rights to the children’s book series “Dragonology,” setting Leonard Hartman to write and executive produce the adaptation. The faux nonfiction books by Dugald A. Steer are based on the conceit that dragons actually exist as revealed by the Victorian
Media spending down, studios cutting back on releases
“We’re on a diet,” brags one studio chief. He’s right, according to the latest numbers from Nielsen Monitor-Plus. Money spent by major studios on media buys dipped in 2007 to under $3.4 billion, compared with $3.5 billion in 2006. That’s positive news for studio marketing
Universal to rebuild video vault
aruty spoke on a day when insurers and anxious producers were deluging the lot with phone calls, trying to determine exactly what had happened. Some of that concern was deepened by an email from Paul Ginsburg, a VP at the studio, warning repertory theaters that the fire “destroyed nearly 100% of
Archive prints, what Universal lost in the fire
Universal is coming to terms with what it lost in Sunday’s fire. The studio sent out memos to film bookers on Tuesday that stated “nearly 100% of the archive prints kept here on the lot” were destroyed. Those prints included “Flash Gordon,” “Dead Men Don’t Wear
Damn roofers started Universal Studios fire
A massive blaze that destroyed part of the back lot at Universal Studios was accidentally ignited by workers using a blowtorch on the roof of a movie set building facade, fire officials said. Workers had been using the blowtorch early Sunday to heat asphalt shingles to apply to the roof, Los Angeles
Universal to adapt Robert Ludlum’s “The Sigma Protocol”
Universal has put the adaptation of Robert Ludlum’s “The Sigma Protocol” on the front burner. The studio has hired “Iron Man” scribes Art Marcum and Matt Holloway to pen the screenplay based on the late author’s novel, published in 2001. Universal also has brought
Universal Studios blaze burns video vault. Jaws 3-D not lost forever, unfortunately.
A pressurized cylinder exploded at Universal Studios on Sunday, injuring two firefighters as they tried to fight a blaze that began earlier in the day, Los Angeles authorities said. The explosion occurred about 2:30 p.m. (5:30 p.m. ET) near the video vault of the Universal Studios back lot. The vault