Sony Pictures

Sony to acquire film rights on Steve Jobs' biography

Sony Pictures is all set to obtain the film rights to Steve Jobs' biography penned by Walter Isaacson, latest biz reports confirmed. The company will soon wind up the pending talks on producing a film based on the much awaited biography of the Apple co-founder who died last Wednesday.

Sony, CBS Films ink distribution deal

Culver City, Calif. -- Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions Group says it has signed a three-year marketing and distribution deal with CBS Films.

Under the pact, Sony Pictures will handle international theatrical distribution of CBS Films productions, as well as service worldwide distribution of the unit's films in the home entertainment marketplace. Peter Schlessel, president of worldwide affairs for Sony Pictures, and Jeff Blake, chairman of Sony Pictures worldwide marketing and distribution, announced the deal Thursday.

Sony grosses $1.6B internationally in '09

Culver City, Calif. -- Sony Pictures Releasing International has passed $1.6 billion at the international box office, making 2009 its highest grossing year, Sony said Monday.

The announcement was made by Jeff Blake, chairman of Sony Pictures Worldwide Marketing and Distribution, who said the year has been driven by the success of a number of breakthrough hits in the international marketplace, including "2012," "This is It" and "Angels & Demons."

"2012" opened this past weekend to more than $165 million internationally and $230.4 million worldwide. It has yet to open in such markets as Japan, where it is expected to perform solidly, Sony said.

Actors urged ot avoid Jackson documentary

Union bosses at the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) have warned members not to take part in the documentary about Michael Jackson's doomed This is it tour.

Sony Pictures have purchased rehearsal and behind-the-scenes footage from concert promoters AEG Live, filmed at Los Angeles' Staples Center, as Jackson prepared for his residency at London's o2 Arena.

Sony has planned a two-week run for the film beginning 28 October (09); however, SAG bosses have announced that the film's producers have not agreed to the minimum basic terms and conditions for performers and background actors employed on the project.

Ledger's last film may have U.S. buyer

Hollywood -- Actor Heath Ledger's final film, "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus," may have found a buyer in the United States, people involved in the negotiations said.

Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions Group is in advanced talks to pick up the film and distribute it theatrically through Sony Pictures Classics, Variety reported Thursday. The deal could be announced this week.

Sony officials said the film could be a money-maker in the home market because of Ledger, who died last year of an accidental drug overdose, and its other stars. Director Terry Gilliam's adventure features Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell, who replaced Ledger in several fantasy scenes after Ledger died during the film's production last year.

'Moneyball' strikeout benches risky pics

Los Angeles -- Doubts that Hollywood can continue to deliver quirky, high-quality films have been raised with the cancellation of "Moneyball," analysts say.

Sony Pictures pulled the plug last week on the $57 million Steven Soderbergh movie about baseball starring Brad Pitt after sinking $10 million into preproduction costs, exposing studio jitters about tanking DVD revenues and the dwindling power of star actors to drive projects in economic hard times, The New York Times reported Wednesday.