Despite High Costs, Studios Sometimes Still Go It Alone

While some in Hollywood debate the merits of studios teaming up, movies with monster budgets currently held by individual studios continue to work their way through the pipeline.

These include:

* “Eraser,” an action film due in June starring Arnold Schwarzenegger as a U.S. marshal in the witness protection program, reportedly saw its budget climb to $100 million after a six-month shoot. Warner Bros. denies it but won’t disclose the budget.

* “Titanic,” director James Cameron’s epic story about one of history’s most famous maritime disasters, won’t begin principal photography until this summer. Yet the industry is already buzzing that the budget for the Fox film will go in at $125 million.

* “Dante’s Peak,” an action film set around an erupting volcano, begins shooting in May and, despite denials from Universal, some familiar with the project believe the cost could go as high as $100 million because of the visual effects required.

* “Batman and Robin,” the fourth in Warner Bros.’ successful series of films on the Caped Crusader, goes into production later this year and costs could spiral to $80 million.

* “Mars Attacks!,” director Tim Burton’s effects-laden science-fiction movie for Warner Bros., is said to have a budget of at least $70 million.