Fox and DreamWorks to Jointly Produce `Minority Report' Directed by Steven Spielberg and Starring Tom Cruise; Two Studios Partnered in Four-Picture Deal

Business Wire, Dec 11, 1998

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 10, 1998--DreamWorks SKG and Twentieth Century Fox Thursday announced they will jointly produce the science fiction thriller "Minority Report," which will bring together for the first time the world's most successful director, Steven Spielberg, and one of its biggest stars, Tom Cruise.

The co-production deal also includes another Spielberg-helmed picture, yet to be named. This now makes a total of four event motion pictures to be jointly produced by the two studios. Earlier, Fox and DreamWorks announced they will collaborate on "Cast Away," starring Tom Hanks.

Fox also has an option to co-produce with DreamWorks the supernatural thriller "What Lies Beneath," starring Harrison Ford and Michelle Pfeiffer. Both films are to be directed by Oscar winner Robert Zemeckis. On "Cast Away" Fox will handle domestic distribution while DreamWorks has international distribution. The studios would switch distribution rights on "What Lies Beneath."

Under the terms of the "Minority Report" deal, DreamWorks and Fox will equally co-finance the picture. Fox will have worldwide theatrical and international home video distribution; DreamWorks will handle domestic home video and worldwide television. On the second Spielberg project, DreamWorks will handle all domestic distribution and Fox will have all international distribution.

Based on a story by famed science fiction writer Philip K. Dick, "Minority Report" is set in a futuristic judicial system in which killers are arrested and convicted before they commit murder.

The project was developed by Twentieth Century Fox production president Tom Rothman.

"I'm thrilled by the opportunity of working with Tom Cruise and, at the same time, returning to the genre of science fiction," said Spielberg.

Commented Bill Mechanic: "We feel very fortunate to have developed a piece of material that has attracted the talents and star power of both Steven Spielberg and Tom Cruise. With the magic they create, `Minority Report' has a chance to be the biggest event film of 2000. We are proud to be a part of this and extend our relationship with DreamWorks in the process."

Twentieth Century Fox is a unit of Fox Filmed Entertainment, a unit of Fox Entertainment Group Inc.

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 and television programs; network, syndicated and cable television programming; home video entertainment; records; books; toys; consumer products; and interactive entertainment.