BBC NEWS | Entertainment | Film | Dreamworks calls off merger talks

BBC NEWS | Entertainment | Film | Dreamworks calls off merger talks: "Dreamworks calls off merger talks

Steven Spielberg had reportedly been ambivalent about the deal
US studio Dreamworks has called off talks to sell its live-action arm to NBC Universal for around $1bn (�566m).
'When they tried to change the price we decided not to go forward,' co-founder David Geffen said on Tuesday.
The deal would have given Universal control over the studio's live-action features, as well as rights to its library of around 60 films.
But the deal would not have included Dreamworks Animation, which became a public company last year.
Universal has a strong relationship with Steven Spielberg, another of Dreamworks' co-founders.
Autonomy
The director is currently shooting Munich - a fact-based drama about the kidnap and murder of 11 Israeli athletes at the 1972 Olympic Games - for the studio.
However, according to the Screen Daily website, Universal was reluctant to offer him the same kind of film-making autonomy he enjoys at his own company.
Dreamworks distributes its live-action films on DVD and internationally through Universal.
However, with a merger no longer likely, it may now seek another distribution partner. "