LOS ANGELES, June 7 (UPI) -- Walt Disney Co. reportedly is considering selling Miramax back to its founders as tensions increase between the Hollywood film studios.
Miramax's future as a Disney-owned studio allegedly came up at a recent Disney retreat, the New York Times reported Monday, with chairman Michael Eisner allegedly telling associates his frustration with Miramax's co-chairmen Harvey and Bob Weinstein has reached a level where he may sell the award-winning studio.
The most recent disagreement came over Disney's refusal to distribute Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit 9/11," a documentary that criticizes President Bush's handling of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The Weinsteins found another distributor.
Disney acquired Miramax in 1993 for $80 million. Analysts have estimated the company could now be worth more than $2 billion, the Times said.
Eisner said he doesn't think the Weinsteins can raise the funds to buy back the studio, but Weinsteins' associates say the brothers can get financial backing.
