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The Walt Disney Company and Miramax/Dimension Films co-founders Bob and Harvey Weinstein have reached an agreement on the future of the company the Weinstein brothers co-founded nearly a quarter century ago, the trades are reporting.

Under the agreement, Disney will retain the rights to the existing Miramax/Dimension Films film library as well as the Miramax name. The Weinsteins will retain the right to use the Dimension Films banner for their future projects.

The rift between the studio and the Weinsteins was punctuated by Disney's refusal to distribute the Weinsteins' controversial "Fahrenheit 9-11," filmmaker Michael Moore's critical documentary film essay on the Bush administration.

Harvey Weinstein said "I think we will be able to build a giant media company of our own." His goals reportedly include a cable network and an expanded presence on the internet. Disney Pictures chairman Dick Cook said the Weinsteins will remain with Miramax/Dimension Films through September 30 of this year to complete marketing and distribution of projects currently under way.

Cook expects to name new management for the Miramax banner sometime in July of this year.

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Gene Wilder, loved by millions for his portrayal of eccentric candy factory owner Willy Wonka in the 1971 film "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory," has published an autobiography--of sorts. The book, titled "Kiss Me Like A Stranger: My Search for Love and Art," tells Wilder's own story as filtered through the lens of psychotherapy.

Although billed by Wilder's friend Mel Brooks as "hilarious," "Kiss Me Like A Stranger" is reported to show a much more serious--and uncertain--side of the comedic actor. The book is available in print and audio, as read by the author.

Speaking of Wilder and Wonka, Tim Burton's update of Roald Dahl's tale "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" opens in July 2005. Burton said "I know a lot of people love it (the 1971 Willy Wonka), but I found the movie to be quite disturbing. Also I don't feel the same way about that movie as I did about "Planet of the Apes" and so I don't feel the personal pressure that I did on "Apes." We tried to keep in the spirit of the book."

Johnny Depp, who plays Wonka in the upcoming feature, said "Tim's sticking much closer to the book, in Tim's own particular way."

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