hoc opus

While I seem to have been incredibly remiss in maintaining a current and up-to-date collection of the happenings in the world of film business and money (there are a ton of articles archived and ready for posting on my computer), I thought I'd drop a quick line on the latest "Exclusive" from The New York Post. It seems that DreamWorks SKG is in early conversations with NBC-Universal regarding a sale of the live-action film unit. According to Tim Arango, the talks "are still at an early stage and that no deal is imminent" (see article).

According to the article, the music business was sold to Universal last year -- indeed, a link on DreamWork's website to "Music" links to Universal Nashville Music -- and the company has co-produced titles in the past with Universal Studios.

UPDATE: It must be true if The New York Times says that it's happening. Though they do indicate that there is no imminent movement and that Paramount might enter the frey as well due to the relationship between Geffen and Grey.

FURTHER UPDATE: Now I'm either pleased or irked that Variety has weighed in with an article of the same title. If anyone read this, it might matter. Either way, same conclusions as before: DreamWorks has been slowing down and scaling down, the deal would simply extend an existing relationship, there is no huge upside for NBC-Universal which would gain a library devoid of franchises.

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