At the end of 2005, DreamWorks was sold to Paramount for approximately $1.6 billion. But it seems like Spielberg wasn’t happy with the deal. He now wants to reinvent the company and raise $1 billion in third-party financing to be able to create his own movies again.

Since the beginning of May, his contract allows him to discuss options with competitors. Since then, he has been in talks with Universal, Disney and Fox to distribute the future movies of the company. And while Spielberg is under contract until 2010, he has an escape clauses to terminate the contract if he wants to get out early. As has his right hand Stacey Snider. “Stacey is the next generation, and Steven is very committed to her,” one source said.

Steven Spielberg’s latest film, ‘Indiana Jones 4,’ could be an early sign of his parting with Paramount. The company only did the distribution for the movie, with mixed reviews. Some say the movie should’ve reached a domestic gross of $300 million by now, while it currently stands at a little over $250 mill. And while $580 worldwide seems like a good number, Spielberg might have expected a little more after the +$700 million ‘Transformers’ made last year. A movie he and DreamWorks produced together.

No, even I didn’t see this one coming. Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema are reporting ‘Sex and the City’ grossed $26.9 million yesterday (Friday). I’ve been very optimistic about Sex’ performance, but I never thought it would have a shot at $70 million for the weekend. Meanwhile, ‘Indiana Jones 4′ is doing a little less than expected, just like we saw in our weekly box office roundup. Spielberg’s oldie took in $12.2 million, meaning it would come in at a little over $40 million for the weekend. But when I said ‘Sex and the City’ could beat Indy, I didn’t think it would actually happen.

The other new release, ‘The Strangers,’ surprised as well. The cheap $10 million thriller made an impressive $7.5 million. Universal must have seen the potential hole it could fill between Sex and Indy. The Liv Tyler vehicle has a shot at $25 million for the weekend.

Lastly, the switch has finally happened. ‘Iron Man’ took $3.7 million, while ‘Prince Caspian’ came no further than $3.4 million. Sorry Disney, your $200 million pet is on its way out.

More numbers as they come in.

Steven Spielberg and Ed Harris unveiled Holly Hunter’s star on the Hollywood ‘Walk of Fame’ today. The star of TV series ‘Saving Grace’ got famous when she won an Oscar for her role in ‘The Piano’ in 1993. I can’t say I remember that one, but in more recent memory she got an Oscar nomination for playing the mother in ‘Thirteen.’

Steven Spielberg, her longtime friend, was there to unveil the tile. He directed Hunter in the 1989 romance ‘Always’ and placed a full-page ad in the Daily Variety saying, “We are so proud of you and your ‘fierce heat of living’.” Care to explain, Steven?