HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today/RushPRnews) 2/10/09 — The Mouse House inked an exclusive long-term distribution pact with DreamWorks over the weekend. Accord will add six more pics to Disney’s release schedule beginning in 2010 and pairs Steven Spielberg with the family-friendly studio.
Studio’s annual output will now grow to 20 pics per year — a dramatic departure from its cost-cutting strategy, instituted in 2006 to reduce its overall annual slate to some 12-15 films.
Under terms of the new deal, Disney will handle distribution and marketing for DreamWorks’ titles through its Touchstone banner, collecting 8% of the gross of each pic.
It will also retain homevid and TV rights for the films, outside of India, and cover overhead costs for DreamWorks, which will remain based on the Universal lot.
According to those close to the talks, the deal is nearly the same as the one David Geffen brokered quietly between DreamWorks and Disney last summer but was never inked when Spielberg opted to return to his roots and move the studio back to the U lot.
source Variety