A deal with Robert Redford is the first coup for the European alliance going by the working title of Eureka, formed in March between Italy's Mediaset and German media heavyweight the Kirch Group. The companies announced on Friday a long term development and production financing agreement with Redford's production company Wildwood Enterprises and South Fork Pictures.

According to the agreement, Redford will either direct, act in, produce or exec produce the pics.

Following the announcement of the first project, the $70 million The Legend Of Bagger Vance in April, two further projects were unveiled yesterday.

An as yet untitled Irish-American drama about politics and crime will either star or be directed by Redford. Napoleon Of Crime, about Adam Worth, the Victorian era's most infamous criminal mastermind, is a star vehicle for Redford.

Eureka's long-term goal is to co-produce between 20 and 30 US productions a year in the budget range of $70 million. In addition, the companies intend to contribute upto 55% of the budget in return for non-US rights.

Leaving hands-on production to the other side, Eureka's prime interest is in securing rights. "These days you have to go a different way about securing rights," Kirch and Eureka topper Jan Mojto said.

The alliance, which spans broadcasting, advertising and production, is about the companies stepping up production, expanding beyond national borders into larger European co-productions, and becoming a substantial partner for US companies.

For Mediaset and its production arm Medusa, the alliance is the gateway to US production after several failed attempts.

Mediaset is already seeing the effects, announcing on Friday that it will distribute in Italy product from Arnon Milchan's US-based New Regency outfit, in which Kirch holds a 4% stake, which it has now transferred to Eureka as part of $1.1 billion of Kirch and Mediaset assets that form the basis of the new company. Liza Foreman