Paramount Losing Grip on Dreamworks

Posted by Dr. Cole Abaius (cole.abaius@filmschoolrejects.com) on September 25, 2007

If anyone from Dreamworks or Paramount is steaming over what appears to be the end of their relationship, they are keeping it in the boardroom and out of the public eye. So far, the press has only been able to cover rumors and complaints made privately concerning the love loss between Steven Spielberg, David Geffen and the head honchos at Paramount. Public comments on the subject have even bordered on polite.

However, there is no denying that the relationship is at a crossroads. For some, it would appear that Paramount has been living and dying off of Dreamworks’ output, having little lined up for production and flopping what little they do have. Despite a few missteps, the Dreamworks team has delivered steadily both on the red carpet and at the box office.

For now, speculation is wild over whether Spielberg and company will be exiting stage right and what, if anything, will happen if they do. The scenarios are many and varied, but the Los Angeles Times has written an incredibly insightful article detailing the businesses and what might be a multi-million dollar divorce.

Although Geffen, Spielberg, and Dreamworks head Stacey Snider can get away contractually clean, the split from Paramount could have drastic effects on both companies with both sides losing executives and projects respectably. Dreamworks donated several personnel to Paramount, and Spielberg is up to his camera lens in development, helming Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and partnering with Michael Bay for 2009’s Transformers 2.

If this split happens, not only will FSR be there to cover it, but it will destroy any hope that Paramount/Dreamworks would be prepping Indiana Jones 5: Transformers 3: Indiana Jones v. Transformers. I know the name needs work, but you can’t beat the plot for Summer Blockbuster appeal. Be on the lookout for more news in the coming weeks.

Read more articles by Dr. Cole Abaius