*More important, what does this mean for Jurassic Park II? MCA/Universal controls the rights to a sequel, no matter who controls MCA/ Universal. Spielberg is slated to direct, but if Sheinberg leaves, he might be less inclined to helm the film. Conceivably, the studio could find another director-but that's a big risk (see Jaws 2).
*So have the Japanese had enough of Hollywood? You'd think so. Matsushita isn't the only Japanese conglomerate to have its nose bloodied by the movie business. Sony has reportedly sunk $5 billion into Columbia and TriStar since purchasing the studios in 1989 (including $500 million to buy the Warner contracts of Peter Guber, 52, who resigned under a cloud last month, and his onetime partner Jon Peters, 49, who departed in 1989). Still, while Matsushita ponders the fate of MCA/Universal, Sony has announced no plans to sell its movie properties.
*Who's sending resumes to the new studio? With the possible exception of Judge Lance Ito, just about everyone. Some big names who may end up actually working for the new threesome: Geffen's buddy Tom Cruise; friends of Spielberg's like Forrest Gump director Robert Zemeckis and producer Steve Tisch; and maybe Katzenberg's pals in the Disney animation department. "They're going to rewrite all the rules," says the admittedly partisan Tisch. "I would love to work with them." Tombstone producer Sean Daniel agrees: "Every producer is salivating at the prospect."
*Does this mean war with Disney's animation division? Yes, one not even Jimmy Carter could prevent. Katzenberg reanimated Disney's 'toon department with hits including Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and The Lion King-and he'll likely attract some of Disney's talent to his new studio. But with most of Disney's animators tied up in long-term contracts and busy working on such future projects as Pocahontas and The Hunchback of Notre Dame, raids won't be easy. "The day Jeffrey was pushed out, the price of (animation) talent went up," says one Disney animation staffer.
*What about music types? Geffen's record company stays at MCA no matter where he goes. But Geffen will undoubtedly try to build a new pop dynasty at his studio-and there's been speculation he'll pick his former mentor, soon-to- retire Warner Bros. Records chairman Mo Ostin, to head it. And if Mo goes, so may president Lenny Waronker-who may be able to lure away A-list talent like R.E.M. and Eric Clapton. "All the big acts love Lenny and Mo, 'cause they're music guys," says one record- industry executive.
*What did Michael Ovitz have to do with all this? Not much. Although he attended the press conference, the omnipotent agent was conspicuously absent from the deal. This has some folks suggesting that his iron grip over Hollywood power plays may be loosening, though that sounds like wishful thinking. There's also talk that Ovitz, who engineered the original Matsushita-MCA deal, will be rewarded with the chairmanship of MCA if Wasserman and Sheinberg quit. But an Ovitz spokeswoman disagrees: "Why would he take it now if he wouldn't take it four years ago?"
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