Universal attempted something similar in 2011 with the release of the Ben Stiller comedy, Tower Heist.
An underlying theme of this first panel was the distinction between two very different sets of memory laws: Those that serve a cosmopolitan, universal attempt at redress, such as laws pertaining to the holocaust or other atrocities, and those that serve a nationalistic, victimized narrative of a state seeking to re-establish its own place.
For the younger horror fans (a burgeoning market thanks to the likes of Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, Bella Swan et al) Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant (2009, Universal, 12) attempts to parlay the success of Darren Shan's much-loved page-turners into a lucrative screen franchise.
If the plans go ahead, it will mark Universal's attempt to make a cinematic universe in line with those already being in progress by Disney (Avengers and Star Wars) and Warner Bros. Justice Leaguee).
And after being rebuffed by Murdoch in its effort to take over Fox, Comcast, owner of NBC Universal, is attempting to gatecrash Disney's deal by mounting a £22bn bid for Fox's crown jewel, Sky.
It also questioned Universal's attempt to deploy a different market share definition, which focuses on the labels it directly owns and runs, and excludes artists from their third-party independent labels it distributes.
Industry gossip suggests the Canada-based family of Edgar M. and Charles Bronfman, collective owner of 6% of Vivendi Universal, may attempt a hostile takeover of the Franco-American group.
Then, the lament of the universal man, attempting to bridge the malaise of loneliness sings, "I'm a lost and lonely man without a star to guide me.
The film, which features all of the Wee Sing characters and one new character (a stunningly uncharismatic musical note), was what Sloan referred to as Universal's attempt to "create a Barney they could hang the series on".
By making the decision to flip into the mythological zone, Staver has joined a long list of artists -- Rembrandt and Titian for example -- whose mid-career work took on the universal and attempted to personalize and particularize.
