Weinstein seeks divorce from Disney (http://news.independent.co.uk/business/news/story.jsp?story=491381) - The Independent (UK), 2/15/04

QuikQuote: Miramax, which is behind a series of acclaimed movies including the current hit Cold Mountain, has been owned by Disney since 1993. Mr Weinstein, who has a difficult relationship with Mr Eisner, is understood to have hired investment bankers to advise him. He has indicated he wants to buy Miramax back from Disney and will consider leaving to set up on his own if he cannot strike a deal. Miramax is estimated to be worth at least $2bn.
However, his position may be different if Comcast wins its hostile bid. Mr Weinstein is a friend of Comcast's chief executive, Brian Roberts. Both own summer homes in the well-heeled East Coast resort of Martha's Vineyard.

This doesn't suprise me after the public tongue-lashing Eisner gave "Bad Santa". The bitterness between Miramax and Disney has been brewing for a few years, but that just seemed very bad form to me, no matter how right Eisner may have been.

Harvey Weinstein will be on Topic A with Tina Brown Sunday night, February 15 on CNBC cable-satellite channel. Check program and cable listings for your local time and channel assisgnment.

I know it's not main stream in the US yet, but this is BIG news. Eisner's out and this will be the final nail in the coffin.

If Miramax just bolts even with a new CEO, which I don't think will happen, that would truly be sad. The Weinsteins have been doing wonderful things for Disney and Hollywood. They are truly the big cheeses.

A word about 'Cold Mountain':

I think 'Cold Mountain' stunk. I do. That's the true reason why it didn't get a nom in my humble opinion. But maybe it didn't get a nod because Eisner wasn't backing the film's publicity to get a nod as he did in the past to stick it to the Weinsteins. Or, maybe the Weinsteins weren't trying that hard to give Eisner another best picture film. I can't tell if the politics behind the no nod was because of the Weinsteins, Eisner or the reality that the movie sucked...

I'd prefer Miramax not be a part of Disney. Some of their movies just don't fit behind the "family friendly" facade Disney likes to show to the world. Just one person's opinion.

I saw "Topic A". Tina Brown, the host, her first question was about Disney-Comcast. Weinstein begged off and declined to head in that direction, citing the effect it might have on the stock (Disney stock). Wouldn't "go there" about his relationship with Michael Eisner either. Most of his solo part of the interview was talking about the film products of Miramax and the challenges of getting 20 movies out each year, why "Cold Mountain" seemed shut out of Best Picture Oscar contention (premiered too late in the year, the other nominees went into wide release since September and no one in the Academy nomination process had time to see "Cold Mountain" in late December). Weinstein was gracious to the host, polite, forthcoming up to a point. Seemed like he was on some kind of "best behavior" mandate, not that I know what he's like during interviews with other hosts or journalists. That was pretty much it.