NBC - UNIVERSAL CHIEFS KNOCKED OUT OVER KNOCKED UP

UNIVERSAL CHIEFS KNOCKED OUT OVER KNOCKED UP

After a series of duds, Universal's Marc Shmuger and David Linde, who have the titles of chairman and co-chairman respectively, are rejoicing over the box-office success of Knocked Up, which, despite tough competition, brought in more than $30 million in ticket sales over the weekend. "We were all very eager to get back in the game in a big way," Shmuger told today's (Wednesday) Los Angeles Times. "It feels good." The newspaper observed that since the two took over the reins at the studio a year ago from Stacey Snyder they have been compelled to make some complicated decisions, including shelving a movie based on the videogame "Halo;" pouring $175 million into Evan Almighty as it went over budget (and persuading the profit participants to change their deals); and doling out at least $125 million to complete production of the latest Bourne sequel as it, too, went over budget. Meanwhile, it was announced Tuesday that NBC Universal has signed Universal Studios President and COO Ron Meyer to a new five-year contract.

06/06/2007