HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Oct. 5 CA-Paramount-terms
HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Oct. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Paramount Pictures and
DreamWorks principals today announced the formalization of their transition
agreements as Mr. Spielberg and Ms. Snider depart to form their previously
announced new motion pictures company in partnership with Reliance BIG
Entertainment. Mr. Geffen, who oversaw the transition for DreamWorks, will
not be joining the new company.
As part of the separation agreement, the DreamWorks principals' new
company will take the lead on a number of development projects, which
Paramount will have the option to co-finance and co-distribute. The majority
of existing DreamWorks staff is expected to be offered positions at the new
company.
All other projects currently in development will remain at Paramount with
the opportunity for the Reliance-backed venture to co-finance several projects
to which Mr. Spielberg is attached. In addition, Mr. Spielberg will continue
to produce the Transformers franchise for Paramount and will also collaborate
on three other Paramount films including, "When Worlds Collide."
Brad Grey, Chairman and CEO of Paramount Pictures said, "We have had a
great run with the DreamWorks team both creatively and financially. In
particular, it has been a true honor working closely with a storyteller of
Steven's talent and stature. We are also grateful to David and Stacey for
their exceptional leadership, creative talent and many contributions to our
partnership over the past few years. We look forward to building on our joint
successes as Paramount plans for the future."
Mr. Spielberg added, "Brad is a friend and I am pleased to be able to
continue to work with him and his team with whom we have shared many
successes. We have enjoyed a productive creative and business collaboration
with Brad, Paramount and Viacom over the past few years and are enthusiastic
about extending the relationship for many years to come. And I have a very
special thanks to David Geffen for his far reaching vision that has made it
possible for me to steer this new course. His advice and wisdom have always
been right on the money. He is a friend for life."
"We are grateful to Brad, Rob and the entire Paramount team for their
generous support and constant creativity. We are very proud of the films we
produced and marketed together. We're excited about this new venture which
wouldn't have been possible without the business genius and loyalty of David
Geffen," said Stacey Snider, Co-chairman and CEO of DreamWorks Studios.
Rob Moore, Vice Chairman Paramount Pictures added, "It has been rewarding
to work with the DreamWorks team and I'm gratified we'll have the opportunity
to continue to work together. We wish them the best as they launch their new
venture."
About DreamWorks Studios
DreamWorks Studios was formed in 1994 by Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey
Katzenberg, and David Geffen. The company won three consecutive Best Picture
Academy Awards with "American Beauty," "Gladiator," and "A Beautiful Mind"
(both co-produced with Universal). Among the company's other successes have
been such films as "Saving Private Ryan" (co-produced with Paramount), "The
Ring," "Minority Report" (co-produced with 20th Century Fox), "War of the
Worlds," "Dreamgirls," and "Transformers" (all co-produced with Paramount).
Stacey Snider joined the company in 2006 as Co-Chairman and CEO. Snider has
overseen the company's business strategy as well as the creative and financial
aspects of all film development and production. Among its upcoming
productions are "The Soloist," "Revolutionary Road," "The Lovely Bones," and
"Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen."
About Paramount Pictures Corporation
Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of
filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), a leading
content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital
entertainment brands. The company's labels include Paramount Pictures,
Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, MTV Films, Nickelodeon Movies and
DreamWorks Studios. PPC operations also include Paramount Digital
Entertainment, Paramount Famous Productions, Paramount Home Entertainment,
Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., Paramount Studio
Group, and Worldwide Television Distribution. The only major studio still
located in Hollywood, the historic Paramount Studio is the home of many
award-winning films including "The Godfather" series, "Forrest Gump" and
"Chinatown," among others. Its upcoming slate includes David Fincher's "The
Curious Case of Benjamin Button," "Star Trek" by JJ Abrams, "G.I. Joe" by
Stephen Sommers, "Transformers 2" by Michael Bay, "Shutter Island" by Martin
Scorsese and Jon Favreau's "Iron Man 2."
About Reliance BIG Entertainment
Reliance BIG Entertainment and its affiliates represent the largest
integrated media and entertainment eco-system in India.
Key initiatives include: Movies (Hollywood and Indian), Animation, Music,
Home Video/DVD, Multiplexes across, India, the US, and Asia, Broadcasting,
Sports, Gaming, Internet and mobile portals, with direct opportunities in
delivery across all emerging digital distribution platforms: digital cinema,
IPTV, DTH and Mobile TV.
Reliance BIG Pictures, a division of Reliance BIG Entertainment, is the
most prolific producer of Indian films in all major languages, with a slate of
nearly 100 films to be completed in the next 3 years.
In May 2008, Reliance BIG Pictures announced separate development deals
with Nicolas Cage's Saturn Productions, Jim Carrey's JC 23 Entertainment,
George Clooney's Smokehouse Productions, Chris Columbus' 1492 Pictures, Tom
Hanks' Playtone Productions, Brad Pitt's Plan B Entertainment, and Jay Roach's
Everyman Pictures. More development deals are planned.
Contact:
Patti Rockenwagner
310-245-5686
patricia_rockenwagner@paramount.com
Chip Sullivan
818-406-0097
chip_sullivan@dreamworksstudios.com
SOURCE Paramount Pictures Corporation
