ADAG mulls bid for Spielberg`s DreamWorks

1Shrek441,226,247 2Shrek 2267,665,011 3Saving Private Ryan216,540,909 4Madagascar193,595,521 5Gladiator187,705,427 6Catch Me If You Can164,615,351 7Shark Tale160,861,908 8What Lies Beneath155,464,351 9American Beauty130,096,601 10The Ring129,128,133
  The ADAG company is competing US studios Universal, Disney and Fox.

 The ADAG deal could include either an arrangement to finance films the studio makes or equity purchase or both, said sources familiar with the negotiations.  DreamWorks was co-founded by Spielberg in 1994 and bought by Paramount Pictures (part of the Viacom group) for $1.53 billion.  Spielberg, however, has had differences with Paramount over ownership of the movies he makes. His arrangement with Paramount ends in 2010, but can be terminated earlier.  Paramount has allowed Spielberg to discuss potential offers for his services from rival studios. Since then, Spielberg has met several prospective studio suitors and financiers.  Industry sources said ADAG could count on the backing of international investor George Soros, who bought 3 per cent in Big for $100 million earlier this year.  In 2006, Paramount sold DreamWorks' live action library (including films made by both Paramount and DreamWorks) to a company controlled by Soros for $600 million.  A Reliance ADAG group spokesperson declined to comment on the issue. Sarabjit Singh, general manager for Paramount's India operations, which distributes DreamWorks films in the country, also declined to comment.  If the Big deal goes though, DreamWorks will have to find another distributor for its films in India, though Paramount has a contract to distribute two of its films in India this year.  A successful bid by Big will catapult the company into the big league of the global entertainment business. Last month, it signed deals to provide development funds to seven film production companies owned by leading stars Nicolas Cage, Jim Carrey, George Clooney, Chris Columbus, Tom Hanks, Brad Pitt and Jay Roach.