Gores brothers go after movie studio

The two L.A. billionaires are in talks with Universal to purchase Focus Features. LAT reports that the discussions have been going on for weeks, though there's no telling whether a deal will be reached. That Universal is considering a sale will no doubt raise questions about what the future of Focus would be once cable giant Comcast takes control of NBC Universal next year. From the Times:

Universal appears to have lost its interest in specialty movies, which, despite the prestige such films bring on the awards circuit, is a low-return business. Universal is focused on producing mass-appeal movies such as the "Fast and Furious" and the "Fockers" series and developing properties based on "brands" such as Hasbro toys "Battleship" and "Ouija." It is not the first time that Universal has discussed selling Focus and its 250-plus title library. Earlier this year, the studio was in negotiations with film finance and production company Media Rights Capital, but the deal fell apart over price. In late summer, Ryan Kavanaugh's Relativity Media was in discussions to acquire Focus, but again the two sides couldn't come to terms, people familiar with the situation said.

Earlier this year Tom and Alec Gores had their sights set on Miramax, but Disney wound up selling the movie company to an investment group led by construction magnate Ron Tutor and financier Tom Barrack. As with Miramax, the brothers are being advised on the Focus deal by their brother Sam Gores, founder of the talent agency Paradigm. Tom and Alec operate their own investment firms.