Transformers Steven Speilberg Might Leave Paramount

[OobeDoobBenubi]

Paramount Pictures is preparing for the possibility that director Steven Spielberg could leave the studio when his contract expires next year, calling the impact "immaterial," a top executive said on Tuesday.

In recent months, media reports have speculated that Oscar winner Spielberg, whose movies range from "Jaws" to the more recent "War of the Worlds," has been unhappy at Paramount after the company bought the DreamWorks movie studio that he co-founded in 1994 with David Geffen and Jeffrey Katzenberg.

Paramount, which is owned by Viacom Inc, agreed to acquire DreamWorks in 2005 for $1.6 billion amid much fanfare, and with the acquisition, Spielberg and Geffen agreed to stay on with Paramount through the end of 2008.

Katzenberg went on to be chief executive of publicly held DreamWorks Animation.

A departure is seen as hurting Paramount, whose recent blockbusters "Transformers" and "Blades of Glory" stemmed from DreamWorks. "Transformers," which Spielberg produced, has generated nearly $700 million at global box offices.

But Viacom Chief Executive Philippe Dauman told investors at Goldman Sachs' Communacopia media conference in New York that Paramount's diverse portfolio of new movies would minimize any potential damage.

"Steven and his team have the right to leave if they choose at the end of next year," Dauman said. "We're planning for that."

"The financial impact to Paramount first and especially to Viacom overall would be completely immaterial in the event somebody shows up to help them (Spielberg and Geffen) start a studio from scratch," Dauman added.

Viacom's current slate of expected releases include a mix of DreamWorks titles such as "Tropic Thunder" starring Ben Stiller and Jack Black, and a new movie that reunites "Titanic" cast members Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet.

Paramount is expected to release comic book-inspired "Iron Man" for Marvel and "Love Guru" starring comedian Mike Myers.

http://www.reuters.com/article/industryNews/idUSN1817882820070918

 

[Golgo-13]

O.K first the strike, then Bay talking about doing another film first, then the studio dragging it's feet getting a script together..............and now this.

I forsee TF2 becoming a lost franchise kinda like what happened with Hulk, and Punisher; where we don't get another movie for many, many years.

 

[fallenAngel]

O.K first the strike, then Bay talking about doing another film first, then the studio dragging it's feet getting a script together..............and now this.

I forsee TF2 becoming a lost franchise kinda like what happened with Hulk, and Punisher; where we don't get another movie for many, many years.

which is of course ridiculous since unlike Hulk or Punisher, Transformers made a crap load of money.

 

[Super Kal]

NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

he's the one that made it cool

 

[Golgo-13]

which is of course ridiculous since unlike Hulk or Punisher, Transformers made a crap load of money.

Be as that may, after all the money it's made you'd think they would have gotten their **** together already. Spiderman 2 was already in pre-production THE SAME YEAR Spiderman 1 was out. December of that same year, the SM 2 train sequence was being shot. Sony knew they had a gold mine on their hands, and were smart enough to take advantage of it. Paramount seems to be a bunch of bone heads, with an un-organised staff..and didn't plan things out properly.....

...i see TF2 going into developement hell for the next few years. We'll be lucky if we get another movie by 2011...which sucks because of the fans are the ones that are gonna suffer, because of a few ceo suits.

 

[Super Kal]

I REALLY hope that doesn't happen

 

[M.O.Steel]

O.K first the strike, then Bay talking about doing another film first, then the studio dragging it's feet getting a script together..............and now this.

I forsee TF2 becoming a lost franchise kinda like what happened with Hulk, and Punisher; where we don't get another movie for many, many years.

We are getting those movies. Its like DAredevil. I wish they made a sequel to that.

 

[fallenAngel]

Or like X men 3, we got it eventually but the original plans had completely fallen apart because the studios dragged their feet.

 

[CreepyThinMan]

I think this is a play for more money by Spielberg. Transformers is a gigantic hit and the beginning of a very profitable franchise that Paramount wouldn't have if it wasn't for Spielberg. He's also got Indiana Jones 4 out next summer for them. The idea that Paramount would consider his departure "immaterial" is ridiculous. I'm sure they're stockholders would say otherwise.

But the fact remains that his contract is up in 2008 and the Berg might be using that to negotiate for more cash because, you know, he's practically living in a cardboard box. Spielberg gets a heavy cut of any film he's involved with and Paramount might want to cut him out of Transformers 2. Same thing happened with Men In Black 2. The only reason that movie got made was because The Berg dropped out.

I'd like Spielberg to stay on board as Executive Producer because I think he reigned in Bay, which is why the movie turned out soo good. On the other hand I'd LOVE to see someone like Joel Silver, who is a hard core action producer, take over as Executive Producer for Transformers 2.

Also, I don't know why he would be pissed at Paramount for buying Dreamworks? They got it for 1.6 billion. I didn't see him putting up the cash to buy it? Especially when you consider that he's worth a few billion or so.....

 

[millennium movies]

Whatever happens i hope he will still produce it, as an independant producer, kinda like Don Muprhy or Tom DeSanto were to this film.

 

[AVEITWITHJAMON]

Whatever happens i hope he will still produce it, as an independant producer, kinda like Don Muprhy or Tom DeSanto were to this film.

Agreed, Spielberg NEEDS to stay on board for the sequel.

 

[Chris B]

I hope he comes back. I want Bay to come back and direct TF2, but I'd feel more comfortable knowing that Spielberg was there to reign him in when neccessary.

 

[tviceman]

O.K first the strike, then Bay talking about doing another film first, then the studio dragging it's feet getting a script together..............and now this.

I forsee TF2 becoming a lost franchise kinda like what happened with Hulk, and Punisher; where we don't get another movie for many, many years.

Hulk and Punisher weren't "lost." They were disappointing movies that performed as such. And Paramount/Dreamworks is not obligated to Bay for a Transformers sequel.

So.... yeah.

 

[Bumblebee1983]

And Spielberg had an idea of what the originals were about.

 

[Sam Fisher]

We are getting those movies. Its like DAredevil Director's Cut.. I wish they made a sequel to that.

Fixed

 

[AVEITWITHJAMON]

I hope he comes back. I want Bay to come back and direct TF2, but I'd feel more comfortable knowing that Spielberg was there to reign him in when neccessary.

Agreed 100%, though i want Bay back, i can see him going a bit OTT in a sequel if Spielberg isnt around.

 

[megatron01]

Bay and spielberg will be involve according to this article:

Transformers 2 Rolling Out
Bay, LaBeouf expected to return.
by Stax
September 27, 2007 - After weeks of "will he or won't he return?" buzz, Michael Bay will reportedly reprise his directing duties for Paramount and DreamWorks' Transformers 2, which is targeting a tentative June 26, 2009 release.

According to Variety, "Bay has not yet inked a deal to helm the follow-up but is in the final stages of negotiation. With Bay's involvement, [the first film's star, Shia] LaBeouf is expected to return as well."

Also, even if DreamWorks topper Steven Spielberg, who exec produced Transformers, leaves the studio as industry pundits suggest he might, the trade claims he'll remain involved with the sequel.

The studios are said to want Transformers 2 in production before the expected industry strikes happen mid-next year even if, as Variety suggests, "they have to finish after it." The June 26, 2009 release date isn't set in stone because of that.

http://movies.ign.com/articles/823/823338p1.html