Can Hollywood handle Steve Jobs?

Bloggers were buzzing this week over reports that Apple Computer was in talks with major movie studios to open an online movie outlet through its iTunes store.

The report in Daily Variety talked about technology and pricing issues. But one of the big problems for the studios isn't technical--it's negotiating with Steve Jobs.

Many bloggers focused on an anecdote related in the Variety piece describing what happened after a Variety reporter wrote about a secret project under development at Pixar Animation Studios, which Jobs runs, along with Apple. Jobs called her to discuss the leak--on a private line in a rented condo, whose number she had given to no one.

"She still doesn't know how he found it," Variety said.

Blog community response:

"This is a classic case of an unstoppable force and an immovable object. It behooves both sides to come to an agreement soon, but in light of the myriad VOD offerings popping up every day, Apple is probably more desperate than Hollywood is. While the debate rages on, the studios are trying everything and anything they can to find an alternative to Apple."
--TechEffect

"By all accounts, everybody is afraid of Steve Jobs, his tough demands, his intimidating intelligence and well-documented temper. Folks are going to be even more fearful after reading this piece."
--IP & Democracy

"Movie execs, used to dealing in the you-rub-my-back-I'll-buy-you-a-$12-martini world, may not be ready for Steve Jobs -- the man who grades his employees (B+! D-!) and who knows he's smarter than you. Will Hollywood do business with a guy who only wears black turtlenecks?"
--Blogging stocks