Aardman and Dreamworks split
- 00:01:29
- ITN
Aardman and Dreamworks split
Hollywood studio giant DreamWorks Animation has ended its relationship with Wallace and Gromit creators Aardman Animations.Their five film deal came to an early demise after DreamWorks said it expected to lose money on the Bristol-based outfit's latest film, Flushed Away.The computer-animated movie, about a pampered rat who is swept into a world of tough sewer rodents, cost DreamWorks $142.9 million dollars (£73 million) to make and took just $50 million (£25 million) at the box office.DreamWorks chief executive Jeffrey Katzenberg said: "While I will always be a fan and an admirer of Aardman's work, our different business goals no longer support each other."The two companies struck a five-picture distribution deal in 1999, but it allowed DreamWorks to opt out after the second film was delivered.The first of three films they collaborated on was 2000's Chicken Run.The deal came to a demise after DreamWorks became focused on computer animated films, while Aardman wanted to continue making its traditional "claymation" movies as well.Aardman spokesman Arthur Sheriff said: "We always knew that America would be a hard task for us - we're a very English company."We embrace the international market but we think part of our strength is our English sense of humour and we want to continue with that."© Independent Television News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.
ITN | January 31, 2007
