New day for Gordon in U deal
Pix covered under the pact include the big-budget Kevin Costner starrer "Waterworld," the spec screenplay "Suspension" and "Interpretation of Dreams." Gordon, whose company is Daybreak Prods., takes roughly a dozen screenplays with him.
The Daybreak deal finalizes the split of Larry Gordon and Chuck Gordon from Largo Entertainment, the JVC Entertainment Inc.-backed production company formed in 1989. Larry Gordon ran Largo before inking his own production deal with MCA/Universal last month, while Chuck Gordon's Daybreak was launched with a first-look deal at Largo in 1990.
In its first five years, the Largo had two hits in "Unlawful Entry" and "Point Break," one wash in "Used People," two misses in "The Super" and the straight-to-video "Icons" and two pix awaiting release in "The Getaway" and "Time Cop."
The exit of the Gordons sets the stage for the two producers toget back to developing and producing big-budget pix. The Gordons shared producing credit on "Die Hard 2," but attempts at Largo to produce movies beyond the confines of $ 15 million to $ 25 million star-driven vehicles were consistently thwarted, because they did not fit JVC's strategy. Sources said their big-budget frustrations factored in the Largo split.
"The main thing is that this is a chance to make a lot of movies," said Chuck Gordon, adding that he and his brother will both collaborate and produce independent of each other. "It gives me a chance to go out on my own with a little more flexibility."
Chuck Gordon's production pact with U follows reports that he was shopping for a first-look deal in partnership with Largo president of production Lloyd Levin. Gordon said he had worked closely with Levin at Largo but hadn't discussed a partnership.
The Gordons join A-list producers and directors who have production packages at U, including Steven Spielberg's Amblin Entertainment, Ivan Reitman, Robert Zemeckis, Bregman/Baer Prods. and the partnership of Sean Daniel and James Jacks.
Gordon's deal at Daybreak Prods. was made by MCA motion picture group chairman Tom Pollock and Universal Pictures production prexy Casey Silver. Gordon said he has a meeting skedded for Friday to discuss with Pollock production strategies for "Suspension," a spec screenplay acquired by Daybreak late in 1993 and described as "'Die Hard' on a bridge."
Gordon was an agent at William Morris Agency and International Creative Management before moving into the producer's ranks. His credits include "The Rocketeer,""Unlawful Entry,""Field of Dreams" and "K-9."
