Oscar-nominated Mexican directors sign $100M deal with Universal

LOS ANGELES – The three Mexican directors who shook Hollywood last February with 16 Academy Award nominations have formed a moviemaking partnership with Universal Pictures worth a reported $100 million.\nGuillermo del Toro, Alfonso Cuaron and Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu will produce five movies, some of them in Spanish, the Los Angeles Times reported Saturday.\n“These filmmakers truly represent the importance of cultural diversity for the global audience,” said David Linde, co-chairman of Universal Pictures.\nThe trio, who individually directed “Pan’s Labyrinth”, “Babel” and “Children of Men,” will call their production company “Cha Cha Cha.”\nUniversal plans to distribute the trio’s films abroad, although a U.S.-Canadian distributor has not yet been named.\nThe total cost of the films could reach $100 million, according to the Times.\nThe three have marketed themselves together since their stunning Oscar success.\nDel Toro directed “Pan’s Labyrinth,” which won three Oscars and was nominated for six. Gonzalez Inarritu’s “Babel” was nominated in seven categories, including best picture and best director, and won for best original score. Cuaron’s “Children of Men” was nominated in