DreamWorks brings its magic to Dubai

DreamWorks Animation is the latest Hollywood major to plant its flag in the UAE, signing a multi-billion dollar strategic alliance with real estate company Tatweer to develop in Dubai a range of tourism and leisure projects, the highlight of which will be a theme park.

The five million-square-foot DreamWorks Animation-branded park will see rides incorporate characters from DreamWorks titles such as the "Shrek" franchise and upcoming "Kung Fu Panda."

Other aspects of the DreamWorks-Tatweer partnership call for DreamWorks-themed restaurants, hotels and retail outlets to be built across the region.

"We are thrilled to bring the first DreamWorks Animation-dedicated theme park to Dubai," said DreamWorks Animation CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg. DreamWorks' push into the region marks the latest in a rush of deals involving Hollywood studios and UAE-based real estate developers.

Tatweer announced in May 2007 a US$2 billion deal with Universal Parks and Resorts to build Universal City Dubailand. The 505-acre development, which will include a 149-acre Universal theme park along with a range of hotels, restaurants and retail outlets, will open in 2010.

In April, UAE-based real estate concern Al Ahli announced a deal with Marvel Entertainment to bring Marvel's full library of superheroes - including Spider-Man, the X-Men and the Incredible Hulk - to Dubai for a US$1 billion theme park to open in 2011.

Then, days later, Al Ahli unveiled another long-term partnership with Nickelodeon that will see such Nickelodeon properties as "SpongeBob SquarePants" and "Dora the Explorer" join the Marvel characters in the park.

And in June, Paramount signed a licensing deal worth US$2.5 billion with Ruwaad Holdings to turn Par properties such as "Mission: Impossible," "Top Gun" and "The Godfather" into a series of Dubai-based parks and rides. Source

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