Spyglass and DreamWorks Announce Production Deal

Posted on January 3, 2003

Spyglass Entertainment and DreamWorks Pictures announced that they have signed a first-look, non-exclusive production deal. The announcement was made by Spyglass Co-Chairmen and CEOs Gary Barber and Roger Birnbaum, and the Co-Head of DreamWorks Pictures Walter F. Parkes and DreamWorks Head of Production Michael De Luca.

The new pact comes as the two companies are in production on their first collaboration: the upcoming feature film Seabiscuit, starring Tobey Maguire and Jeff Bridges, under the direction of Gary Ross. The story of the legendary racehorse, Seabiscuit will be released in Summer 2003, with Universal Pictures distributing the film domestically and DreamWorks handling the distribution in some international territories. Spyglass will be responsible for the release in most international markets.

About the new film deal Walter F. Parkes sid, "Individually, Gary Barber and Roger Birnbaum have been two of the industry's most respected executives for many years. As partners in Spyglass, they have earned even greater admiration for their remarkable eye for talent and commitment to quality entertainment -- as proven right from the start with the unforgettable The Sixth Sense."

Gary Barber and Roger Birnbaum partnered to form Spyglass Entertainment where they share the titles of Co-Chairmen and Chief Executive Officers. They scored a major hit with their first release, the blockbuster thriller The Sixth Sense, starring Bruce Willis and Haley Joel Osment and written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan. In addition to Seabiscuit, Spyglass's upcoming films include: the sequel Shanghai Knights, which reunites Chan and Wilson; the action drama The Recruit, starring Al Pacino and Colin Farrell; and the comedy Bruce Almighty, starring Jim Carrey, Jennifer Aniston and Morgan Freeman, under the direction of Tom Shadyac.

DreamWorks SKG was formed in October 1994 by its three principal partners -- Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen -- to produce live-action motion pictures, animated feature films, network and cable television programming, home video entertainment, records, books, toys, and consumer products.