Universal eyes Tarantino's 'Bastards'

Studio may partner with Weinstein Co. on pic

By MICHAEL FLEMING, TATIANA SIEGEL

Quentin Tarantino's "Inglorious Bastards" may soon find a home at Universal.

Studio is in negotiations to partner with the Weinstein Co. to bring the World War II drama to the bigscreen. Although deal points are still being ironed out, insiders say a pact is imminent.

The "Pulp Fiction" helmer and Harvey Weinstein met with five studios last week about co-financing the film, and it came down to Paramount and Universal. Par, which wanted to distribute the film in foreign territories, balked at a component of the pact that dealt with how grosses would be accounted given the way that Tarantino's "Kill Bill" contract was structured.

Tarantino recently met with Brad Pitt to play the role of Aldo Raine, though that deal is said to be a long way from closing. Pitt and Universal will need to mend fences following bad blood over Pitt dropping out of U's "State of Play" last year at the eleventh hour.

Shooting is scheduled to begin on "Inglorious Bastards" in the fall in Germany and France.

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