Tagged: DreamWorks

Sony in Talks to Co-Finance ‘Tintin’

Sony in Talks to Co-Finance ‘Tintin’

When last we left Tintin, he and Snowy were facing an uncertain future as the famed directors Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson wanted to turn his graphic novel adventures into at least two live-action films.  The forces of corporate evil, though, saw to it that DreamWorks and Paramount Pictures were split asunder, leaving financing for the films up in the air.

Sony, like a white knight, has ridden to the rescue.  According to the scribes at Variety, Sony Pictures Entertainment and Paramount Pictures are now discussing terms to allow them to co-finance the digital 3-D films together.

The hero, created by Belgian artist Georges Remi (a.k.a. Herge), had first thought that Universal Studios, new home to DreamWorks would partner up to ensure audiences around the world got to thrill to his exploits.  Instead, Universal balked so Paramount told Spielberg and Jackson they would front the full $135 million budget in exchange for better profit-sharing terms.  Now it was the directors’ turn to balk forcing Paramount to seek assistance.

The Sony-Paramount deal would be the first film only and would grant Sony international distribution rights while Paramount would retain North American rights in addition to distribution deals in selected English-speaking countries.

While the cash has begun tof low once more, there remains concern over production commencing, as planned, in the fall.  Thomas Sangster, the human selected to portray the teen hero, left the project.  Spielberg remains optimistic they will recast, shoot and still make their 2010 release date. Jackson would then direct a second film.

Although DreamWorks is now no longer a participant, the principal players remain somewhat enmeshed in their lives.  Jackson has delivered The Lovely Bones to DreamWorks which Paramount will release in 2009.

Spielberg eyes Another Fantasy Project

Spielberg eyes Another Fantasy Project

The late John Wyndham’s Chocky has been optioned by DreamWorks for director Steven Speilberg who has named it his next directorial project.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the film is about “a boy who has a mysterious imaginary friend with whom he frequently argues. As the boy’s father gets increasingly suspicious, it becomes clear that an alien entity has taken up residence in the boy’s consciousness.”

The announcement though comes during the very public breakup between DreamWorks and Paramount Pictures and this film may become one of several projects caught up in the tug of war.

Other films equally in limbo are The Trial of the Chicago 7, an Abraham Lincoln/Civil War epic scripted by Tony Kushner; Platinum Studios’ Cowboys and Aliens, with Robert Downey Jr. still attached; and The 39 Clues.

Paramount to Fund ‘Tintin’

Paramount to Fund ‘Tintin’

The saga of Tintin continues to unfold as it now appears that Paramount Pictures will cover the $130 budget for the Steven Spielberg/Peter Jackson Tintin movie. As reported at Deadline Hollywood, the deal calls for Paramount to produce the movie entirely on its own as long as the principals remain on budget. Filming remains on target to begin in October.

Concern remains that the popular European character has yet to penetrate the American consciousness despite previous attempts, which made Universal skittish over the price tag since it meant the film would have to gross in excess of $400 million to show a profit.  Without a huge American contribution, there was concern on this issue.

Meantime, this is only secondary to the split of DreamWorks from Paramount as they ally with India’s Reliance Media to once more become an independent production entity.  The messy breakup will take weeks to resolve all the details including which film properties will remain with DreamWorks and which will be retained by Paramount.  The studio is claiming rights to at least three Spielberg projects including the story of the Chicago Seven trial.

At present they have yet to sign a distribution deal for DW films but Universal remains the odd-on favorite with 20th-Century Fox also reported to be interested.
 

Robert Downey, Jr. Turns Evil

Robert Downey, Jr. Turns Evil

DreamWorks has decided to produce their own animated take on super-heroes with Master MindEntertainment Weekly is now reporting that Robert Downey, Jr. may lend his voice as the lead character, opposite Tina Fey.

According to IMDB, the film is a “satirical take on super-hero movies, in which a notorious villain loses his oomph after he accidentally kills his nemesis.” It will be directed by Cameron Hood and Kyle Jefferson (First Flight) from a script by newcomers Alan J. Schoolcraft and Brent Simons. Ben Stiller’s production company, Red Hour Films, will co-produce with DreamWorks.  Paramount Pictures has this penciled in as a 2010 release.

Downey has previously worked on animated fare, including Richard Linklater’s A Scanner Darkly.

‘Iron Man 2’ Has a Writer

‘Iron Man 2’ Has a Writer

Fans of David Lynch’s Mulholland Drive might be surprised to learn the actor who played Adam Kesher will be writing the next Iron Man movie.

Writer/actor Justin Theroux has been signed on by Marvel to script the sequel, according to Variety. He’s had quite a varied Hollywood career already.

Theroux, a thesp-scribe best known for roles in "Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle" and HBO’s "Six Feet Under" and miniseries "John Adams," most recently wrote the DreamWorks comedy "Tropic Thunder," which Paramount will unspool next month.

In addition to writing and appearing in "Tropic Thunder," Theroux also exec produced the laffer, which stars Ben Stiller, Downey and Jack Black. He recently made his directing debut on "Dedication," which the Weinstein Co. distribbed.

"Iron Man," released in May, has earned more than $314 million at the domestic box office and collected another $252 million overseas.

The article also indicates deals are close to being finalized for Robert Downey Jr. and director Jon Favreau to return for Iron Man 2, which is supposed to make a 2010 release date.

Dreamworks animation goes 3D

Dreamworks animation goes 3D

DreamWorks Animation has announced plans to produce all of its new films in full 3-D.  they plan to produce their movies employing stereoscopic 3-D technology from the start of the movie production process, and has already begun production on its first movie to be made in this format, Monsters vs. Aliens (working title), slated for release in summer 2009. 

According to DreamWorks, "this approach will increase its storytelling opportunities and create a more immersive movie-viewing experience."  Up until this time many of the movies shown in 3D were produced for regular movie theater projection with the 3-D parts or full-length 3-D movies rendered for 3D projection in post-production (e.g. Chicken Little and others).  As for where these movies will be shown, DreamWorks points to a significant increase over the past two years in the number of theaters that have the proper equipment to support stereoscopic projection, and claims that by 2009 there will be several thousand screens equipped for 3-D.

(more…)