Tagged With: Universal

Universal Pictures Int'l Ent. has just bought the international DVD rights to the first 52-episode season of BERNARD. This deal for producer BRB Internacional represents the first time that the Spanish company has entered into such a wide-ranging alliance covering so many countries. Universal has also acquired mobile rights to BERNARD in the U.K.

BATTLESTAR GALACTICA exec producer David Eick has resigned his first-look agreement with NBC Universal, reports VARIETY. Despite the deal with NBC Universal, he has set up a host of projects in various stages at various studios, including Fox thriller THEM, two projects with FX, projects with SCI FI Channel and a miniseries with Lifetime. With NBC, he is overseeing the re-imagining of THE BIONIC WOMAN.

By shelling out seven figures, Universal Pictures has won the bidding war for the rights to children's fantasy manuscript SIMON BLOOM, THE GRAVITY KEEPER, according to THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. The soon-to-be published book from first-time novelist Michael Reisman, who is a script reader for Nickelodeon TV and Cartoon Network.

Gary Ross is eyeing the project as director and his Larger Than Life partner Allison Thomas would produce the live-action adaptation with Gotham Group's Ellen Goldsmith-Vein.

NBC Universal Cable brings the beloved family classic tale CURIOUS GEORGE to on demand (VOD) and pay-per-view (PPV) on Nov. 9, 2006. Consumers who order the film on demand or on pay-per-view and watch until the end of the credits will get instructions on how to receive a CURIOUS GEORGE beanie toy for free while supplies last.

NBC Universal announced NBCU 2.0, a wide-ranging strategic initiative to assure future growth, streamline and strengthen operations and exploit opportunities created by the rapidly evolving digital and global marketplace.

Universal Pictures has purchased Scott Nimerfros horror pitch AGONY, according to THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. Studio has tapped Scott Stuber and Mary Parent to produce the project via their Stuber/Parent company.

Nimerfro (DOMINION: PREQUEL TO THE EXORCIST) is now penning the screenplay, which will center on an urban legend on a college campus that turns out to be true.

The deal was in the low- to mid-six figures.