Dimension's 'o' Woes Settled

Dimension Films, the genre arm of Miramax Films, has settled a legal dispute with the producers of "O," a project that has courted controversy for allegedly depicting scenes of high school violence.

Financial terms of the settlement were not disclosed, and both parties declined comment on the case because of a confidentiality agreement.

In a complaint filed this year in New York Supreme Court, the film's producers alleged that Dimension broke its distribution agreement by continually pushing back the release of "O."

Dimension's first bow for "O" — which was produced by Eric Gitter, Anthony Rhulen and Daniel Fried, with Michael Levy executive producing — was scheduled in 1999, and a second release date was planned for March. In both cases, off-screen high school violence sidelined the film from hitting theaters. Speculation began that Miramax, a subsidiary of the Walt Disney Co., might have faced pressure from its corporate parent not to release the film.

Dimension subsequently sold the film's rights to indie distributor Lions Gate in April (HR 4/11).

"O," a modern-day retelling of "Othello" set in high school, stars Julia Stiles, Mekhi Phifer, Martin Sheen and Josh Hartnett.

Lions Gate is planning an August release for the project. "O" was directed by Tim Blake Nelson and penned by Brad Kaaya.