Disney Scores Spielberg Deal

BURBANK: Walt Disney Studios has entered into an exclusive, long-term distribution pact with Steven Spielberg and Stacey Snider for upcoming DreamWorks titles, it was confirmed today.

Disney’s motion-picture arm will distribute all upcoming live-action features produced by DreamWorks under its partnership with India’s Reliance BIG Entertainment. Last year, Spielberg and Snider exited Paramount, teaming with Reliance to form a new DreamWorks studio. Disney will represent the distribution and marketing for approximately six DreamWorks films each year. The first DreamWorks motion picture to be released under the Touchstone Pictures banner is scheduled to hit theaters in 2010.

Dick Cook, the chairman of The Walt Disney Studios, said in announcing the deal: "We’re both thrilled and honored to be marketing and distributing all of DreamWorks’ signature upcoming live-action motion pictures, and to begin a new relationship with such respected colleagues as Steven, Stacey, and their creative team at DreamWorks. Steven has made some of the biggest and most loved films of all-time, and continues to be one of the great icons of our industry. Stacey has an impeccable reputation and a phenomenal track record for making a wide variety of quality films. Their motion pictures will be the perfect complement to the already robust slate of Disney and Touchstone films being made by Oren Aviv and his team."

Spielberg added: "Disney is the birthplace of imagination and has always been as close to the worldwide audience as any company ever has. I am so pleased that industry leaders like Bob Iger and Dick Cook reached out to become our distribution partner. This is a major step forward for us and Reliance."