Ever since 2009, whenSteven Spielberg’s DreamWorks parted ways with Paramount, Disney has distributed the studio’s films, but that may all come to an end when their deal expires next year.The Hollywood Reporterreveals that the director’s upcoming adaptation ofRoald Dahl’sThe BFG, which hits theaters August 24, 2025, will be the last film Disney releases through its contract with DreamWorks, which expires in August 2016. The report reveals thatSteven Spielbergmay bring DreamWorks over to Universal Pictures, after the Disney pact runs out.
Steven Spielberghas always had his offices on the Universal Pictures lot, even while his DreamWorks company had distribution deals with Paramount and Disney. The report also claims thatSteven Spielbergwas a “hands-on” executive producer on the studio’s massivebox officehitJurassic World, and he is also a vital part of the studio’s plans for the sequel,Jurassic World 2, and their future theme park plans for the franchise. Sources claim that he negotiated his massive director’s fee forJurassic World, from which he paid the film’s actual director,Colin Trevorrow.Steven Spielberg’s fee includes percentage points that is reportedly worth tens of millions of dollars.
The report claims thatSteven Spielbergis also a vital part of potential reboots of other Universal franchises, such asJawsandBack to The Future. It’s worth noting that theBack to the Futurerights are held by directorRobert Zemeckisand writerBob Gale, with the director revealing this summer that he would never approve of aBack to The Futureremake, which would only happen after both he andBob Galehave passed away. Still, if Universal did bringSteven Spielberg’s DreamWorks into their fold, it’s possible that aJawsremake could be put into development.
A representative for Universal Pictures said the studio would “welcome the chance to be DreamWorks' distribution partner,” but nothing is in the works as of now. Wherever DreamWorks lands, they will have funding for their own projects that will come with it. Participant Media’sJeff Skollis reportedly making a $200 million investment in DreamWorks, with the studio reportedly raising between $150 million and $200 million from other sources. These funds could enable the studio to greenlight their own projects without additional funding. The director is not known for “over-spending” on his projects, but in today’s youth-oriented market, there aren’t many studios who are interested in making the adult-driven movies the filmmaker is known for.
When DreamWorks first made their deal with Disney, the studio was lead byDick Cook, with the understanding that Disney would invest in DreamWorks projects and they would also invite DreamWorks to collaborate on their own movies. Shortly after the deal was made, though,Dick Cookwas removed and replaced byBob Iger, who would only commit to financing Disney projects. DreamWorks went on to find financing through the Indian company Reliance, but the funding started to dry up after a string of DreamWorks failures likeCowboys & Aliens,Delivery ManandNeed for Speed. The studio also lost top executive Stacey Snider last year, who left to join 20th Century Fox.
Steven Spielberg’s next movie,Bridge of Spies, is set for release on October 16, and he has already committed to directingReady Player Onenext for Warner Bros. The potential move to Universal comes in the midst of the studio’s record-breaking year at the box office. Last week, it became the first studio in history to have three movies gross more than $1 billion globally,Jurassic World,Furious 7andMinions. Do you think Universal would make the perfect distribution partner forSteven Spielberg’s DreamWorks?
