Robert Zemeckis' Imagemovers may re-launch at Universal

Disney closed down Robert Zemeckis' Imagemovers, unfortunatley not before it could produce Mars Needs Moms. THR is now reporting that the company may be close to a re-launch at Universal. The compan, which is run by Zemeckis, Steve Starkey and Jack Rapke—"is in negotiations to sign a first-look deal with Universal, though the company would look a lot different this time around." The company employed 450 employees and had it's own studio facility before. It created such such motion-capture movies as The Polar Express and Beowulf before Disney pulled the plug.

According to THR, the Universal deal would be more of "a traditional overall production pact. Terms and length are still being finalized, but the arrangement would call on Zemeckis to develop and produce both live-action and motion capture projects. No visual effects or sound stages campuses will be built." Zemeckis made the Back to the Future trilogy as well as Death Becomes Her at Universal.

DreamWorks' Real Steel, which opens October 7, is Zemeckis' next film in theaters. He served as exec. producers. His Imagemovers shingle is producing an adaptation of the Chuck Sambuchino book How to Survive a Garden Gnome Attack, set up at Sony Pictures Animation. It is not known if his Yellow Submarine film willl be part of the deal, it is currenlty without a home.

This deal makes sense for Zemeckis, I am glad to hear that he will also focus on live-action, because too much motion-capture has not been great for his career. What are your thoughts on this news?

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