DreamWorks & Disney Together At Last?

After a rather bitter (and public) break-up from Paramount, things seemed at peace with DreamWorks SKG when they inked a distribution deal with Universal back in October.

Well, looks like the honeymoon's over.

The New York Times reports that the deal is off with the Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen-founded production company already in talks with Disney - a deal that could be signed, sealed and delivered as soon as sometime today(!)

The reported culprit behind the ordeal is said to be *shock!* the ecomony.

Actually, it's not a shock considering a number of the big studios are being forced to crunch their numbers. Even Warner Brothers (responsible for the second highest-grossing film of all-time The Dark Knight) handed out pink-slips just weeks back.

Meanwhile, The Hollywood Reporter got an official statement straight from Universal on the matter:

"Universal Pictures has ended discussions with DreamWorks for a distribution agreement. Over the past several weeks DreamWorks has demanded material changes to previously agreed upon terms. It is clear that DreamWorks' needs and Universal's business interests are no longer in alignment. We wish them luck in their pursuit of funding and distribution of their future endeavors."

All I say is it's rather telling of the harsh-economic times we live in when even Steven "King of the Blockbusters" Spielberg is feelin' it.