Wow, well it sure seems the ol page has been having a lot on MINORITY REPORT in the last few days and BAM, this one gets it's legs churning. Now the question I am left with after reading this story, which really is quite excellent by THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, but it doesn't really answer whether or not Spielberg will be working on another film first. But wow, this story does catch us all up with what is happening with both Zemeckis and Spielberg, which is just great. Below is an example of what a full story looks like over at HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, a lot of times you just get a look at just a paragraph or at most two, but I really recommend buying that film geek in your family a subscription, on top of just having the info, well ya also get the ads for films that sometimes never comes out. Check this story out, but then check out THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER

Spielberg goes on sci-fi Cruise

(Fri.-Sun., Dec. 11-13, 1998)

By Stephen Galloway

Steven Spielberg and Tom Cruise will work together for the first time on "Minority Report," a sci-fi thriller that will be one of four major "event" co-productions in a newly signed pact between DreamWorks and 20th Century Fox (HR 11/20).

The studios announced the deal Wednesday, noting it would include another film to be directed by Spielberg, yet to be chosen, as well as two previously announced features directed by Robert Zemeckis: "Cast Away" and "What Lies Beneath."

"Minority Report," based on a story by Philip K. Dick, takes place in a futuristic judicial system in which killers are jailed before they get to commit murder. It will start shooting as soon as Cruise wraps "Mission: Impossible 2" later this year.

Fox and DreamWorks will share the cost of the picture, with Fox handling worldwide theatrical and international home video and DreamWorks handling domestic home video and worldwide television. All revenues will be split on a 50-50 basis, as they will for the other three movies.

The cost of those three films will be split along different lines, with one studio taking domestic chores and the other international.

"Cast Away" and "What Lies Beneath" will go before the cameras this year, with "Cast Away" set to start shooting in late January or early February. "Beneath" is expected to get under way when the first half of "Cast Away" is shot -- part of a complicated schedule necessitated by the plot of the film -- though Fox only has an option to be involved with "Beneath" and not a firm commitment.

"Cast Away" will re-team Tom Hanks with "Forrest Gump" director Zemeckis in a film written by Bill Broyles about an ambitious corporate troubleshooter stranded on a desert island and his efforts to stay alive.

"Beneath" stars Harrison Ford and Michelle Pfeiffer in a script by Clark Gregg about a professor who starts investigating supernatural events happening in the basement of a college.

"Minority Report" and "Cast Away" were developed through the main 20th Century Fox division under president Tom Rothman. "Beneath" was developed at DreamWorks.

The multipicture pact marks a significant shift in direction for Fox, which has pursued a policy of avoiding split-rights deals, with the notable exception of "Titanic" (a co-venture with Paramount Pictures).

DreamWorks has entered into split-rights deals several times before, with "Small Soldiers" (a co-production with Universal), "Saving Private Ryan" and "Deep Impact" (both joint ventures with Paramount).

Fox Filmed Entertainment chairman Bill Mechanic said, however, that Fox was not following a new strategy, only making an exception to its policy.

"I'm thrilled by the opportunity of working with Tom Cruise and, at the same time, returning to the genre of science fiction," Spielberg said.

Added Mechanic: "We feel very fortunate to have attracted the talents and star power of both (Spielberg and Cruise)."