Category: Studios

Lionsgate Getting Into the Stephen Gaghan Business

lionsgate logo

Lionsgate made the announcement today they would be buying the rights for the upcoming film written and directed by Stephen Gaghan.   For those of you who do not know, Gaghan is the man behind such high-profile drama as ‘Traffic’ and ‘Syriana.’   Gaghan will direct and producer the new film and is co-writing the screenplay with Shannon Burke.

The new thriller has this as an official synopsis:

All global activities are local somewhere… an elite, highly trained, deep cover operative loses everything, ultimately disappearing into Brooklyn, where he must start over. He washes up as a beat cop, only to discover the global organization he was dedicated to fighting is also operating in his new backyard.

Alli Shearmur, President of Motion Picture Production for Lionsgate, had this to say about the collaboration:

We are very excited to be in business with Stephen Gaghan, a master storyteller who has raised the bar for character-driven suspense in contemporary film. Steve has earned the right to have greater control over the creative content of his films along with a meaningful participation in its commercial success. It’s the kind of deal that Lionsgate is uniquely positioned to offer superior creators like Steve, and the formula works beautifully for all involved — for Steve, for Lionsgate, and not least, for audiences looking for smart, thrilling entertainment.

Gaghan had this love to give for Lionsgate:

Lionsgate as a studio has a proven track record in delivering great genre hits, and I’m impressed by the acumen and commitment of the entire team. Joe, Alli, and Wolfgang believe in putting the filmmaker at the center of the process, and they’ve built a next-generation business model that allows filmmakers to participate as true partners in the economic value they’re generating. It’s an attractive and innovative way to do business, which hopefully will lead to greater risk-taking in the exploration of established genres.

As more of a global story, we all hope and pray this is more ‘Syriana’ than ‘Abandon,’ the 2002 film Gaghan cut his directing teeth on.   We aren’t holding the film against him, but it’s always interesting to go back and see where someone started.

No title for the new film was announced.

Major Announcement: Disney Acquiring Marvel Entertainment

walt disney

In a blockbuster announcement this morning, the Walt Disney company is in the process of acquiring Marvel Entertainment for the cool price of $4 billion.   Already, the Internet is abuzz with potential cross-overs and the possibilities of a PIXAR comic book movie.

Here is the official press release:

Building on its strategy of delivering quality branded content to people around the world, The Walt Disney Company has agreed to acquire Marvel Entertainment, Inc. in a stock and cash transaction, the companies announced today.

Under the terms of the agreement and based on the closing price of Disney on August 28, 2009, Marvel shareholders would receive a total of $30 per share in cash plus approximately 0.745 Disney shares for each Marvel share they own. At closing, the amount of cash and stock will be adjusted if necessary so that the total value of the Disney stock issued as merger consideration based on its trading value at that time is not less than 40% of the total merger consideration.

Based on the closing price of Disney stock on Friday, August 28, the transaction value is $50 per Marvel share or approximately $4 billion.

“This transaction combines Marvel’s strong global brand and world-renowned library of characters including Iron Man, Spider-Man, X-Men, Captain America, Fantastic Four and Thor with Disney’s creative skills, unparalleled global portfolio of entertainment properties, and a business structure that maximizes the value of creative properties across multiple platforms and territories,” said Robert A. Iger, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company. “Ike Perlmutter and his team have done an impressive job of nurturing these properties and have created significant value. We are pleased to bring this talent and these great assets to Disney.”

“We believe that adding Marvel to Disney’s unique portfolio of brands provides significant opportunities for long-term growth and value creation,” Iger said.

“Disney is the perfect home for Marvel’s fantastic library of characters given its proven ability to expand content creation and licensing businesses,” said Ike Perlmutter, Marvel’s Chief Executive Officer. “This is an unparalleled opportunity for Marvel to build upon its vibrant brand and character properties by accessing Disney’s tremendous global organization and infrastructure around the world.”

Under the deal, Disney will acquire ownership of Marvel including its more than 5,000 Marvel characters. Mr. Perlmutter will oversee the Marvel properties, and will work directly with Disney’s global lines of business to build and further integrate Marvel’s properties.

The Boards of Directors of Disney and Marvel have each approved the transaction, which is subject to clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act, certain non-United States merger control regulations, effectiveness of a registration statement with respect to Disney shares issued in the transaction and other customary closing conditions. The agreement will require the approval of Marvel shareholders. Marvel was advised on the transaction by BofA Merrill Lynch.

This news also brings up several questions about the Marvel films already in production or on the horizon.   According to Coming Soon, all present deals will stay in place with their current studios.   Evidently, John Lasseter met with Marvel last week, and to say he is gleeful of a Marvel/PIXAR movie is the understatement of the year.   There are definitely ideas brewing in everyone’s heads involved.

‘Black Dynamite’ Scores Some Distribution

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‘Black Dynamite’ and its star, Michael Jai White, are a few of our favorite things here at We Are Movie Geeks.  You can check out Scott’s Sundance Review, Jerry’s Tribeca Review, or Jeremy’s CineVegas Review for just a taste of the love we have for everything ‘Black Dynamite.’  Well, the rest of the world is about to get a whole lot more, as the film is getting distribution courtesy of Apparition.  According to Variety, the film was bought by Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions Group, who then brought it to Apparition for a theatrical release.

Says Bob Berney, one of the chief producers behind Apparition:

Both Scott [Sanders] and Michael really know every film in the (blaxploitation) genre and every little detail.  Even the strangest stuff in the film has been seen or done in those films. It’s a sort of ‘Austin Powers’ period comedy that appeals to younger audiences.

The filmmakers have done so much, it makes it easy to really partner with them and use their materials.  They really know their audience and what they want to do.

Apparition has three, other projects slated for release including Jane Campion’s ‘Bright Star,’ Terrence Malick’s ‘The Tree of Life’ starring Brad Pitt, and ‘The Young Victoria’ starring Emily Blunt.  ‘Black Dynamite’ is set to have a platform release on October 16th.

‘Kick-Ass’ Gets It’s Ass Picked Up.

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Variety reports that Matthew Vaughn’s independently produced & financed film ‘Kick-Ass’ has been picked up for distribution from Lionsgate for 2010.

Lionsgate has grabbed domestic rights to Matthew Vaughn’s action-comedy “Kick-Ass.”In a deal that is described as “big,” the mini-major has committed to a wide 2010 release.

Pic is based on a comic by Mark Millar and John Romita Jr. about a comic-obsessed teenager who decides to become a real-life superhero despite his lack of any superpowers. Cast includes Nicolas Cage, Aaron Johnson, Chloe Moretz and “Superbad’s” Christopher Mintz-Plasse.

U.S. distribs got their first peek at a rough cut of “Kick-Ass” on July 28, a few days after the fanboys at Comic-Con saw clips of the film and gave it their blessing.

Vaughn’s Marv Films shingle and Brad Pitt’s Plan B produced and privately financed the project.

I think that after  showing the  footage  at Comic-Con  and seeing the positive impression it made with fanboys & movie geeks, including this guy, Lionsgate has a gem on their hands.   I would venture a guess at a early Summer release to try not to get lost in the shuffle of Iron Man 2 which already has a May 7, 2010 release date.   I hope Lionsgate will fight for the ‘R’ rating that ‘Kick-Ass’ looks like it needs.

Three Studios Vying to ‘Kick-Ass’

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It’s a three-way dance to see which studio is the most ‘Kick-Ass.’   According to Risky Biz Blog, Lionsgate, Paramount, and Universal are each vying to be the independently made film about a super hero teen.   Early word of the violence in the Matthew Vaughn-directed film made many studios squeamish about picking up the film.   However, footage shown at this year’s Comic Con has sparked some heavy buzz amongst comic book fans.   After screenings were held for potential buyers, most of the studios who had turned away from the film initially gained a certain level of interest.

Based on the comic book by Mark Millar and John Romita Jr., the film stars Aaron Johnson as a high school geek who decides to turn himself into a real-life crimefighter.   Things get hairy once he runs into actual criminals with actual weapons.   Nicolas Cage, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, and Mark Strong co-star.

The film was initially dealing with Sony Pictures, but dealings fell through when the studio and the creators couldn’t agree on the age of the film’s leads.   Sony wanted to raise the age of the film’s lead female to that of an older teenager.   After this, Vaughn and company decided to self-finance the film with the hopes of picking up a buyer after the film was completed.

We should be getting word within the next few days which of the above studios will come out on top.   With movies like ‘Punisher: War Zone,’ ‘Gamer,’ and the ‘Crank’ series, Lionsgate certainly has no qualms with putting out an R-rated action extravaganza.   However, you have to think established studios like Paramount and Universal will be able to strong-arm the smaller competition if they choose to.

Paramount’s got the inside track going in the comic book realm with films like ‘Iron Man,’ ‘Transformers,’ and the upcoming slate of Marvel adaptations.   On the other hand, Paramount isn’t really one to put much backing into an R-rated fan movie like ‘Kick-Ass.’   Despite dealing with Paramount on ‘Stardust,’ they really aren’t the best course of action for Vaughn to take with his film.

This leaves Universal, which has had major, R-rated releases in the past few years like ‘Wanted,’ ‘Public Enemies,’ and the Judd Apatow slate of movies.   Universal also proved with last year’s ‘The Strangers’ that it is a studio that has no problem with taking a smaller budget film and pushing it into a tentpole position.   This isn’t to say Universal is going to be the film to come out on top of this buyers competition, but it is certainly the studio that would treat the film’s release the way it should.

Spielberg Could Be Helming ‘Matt Helm’

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Variety is reporting that iconic director Steven Spielberg could be moving next to a film based on the novels centering around playboy super spy, Matt Helm. Spielberg is seriously considering directing the film, which was, at one time, set up at DreamWorks before the company and Paramount split. The ‘Matt Helm’ property was left at Paramount, and whether Spielberg wants to direct the film or not, there will be some serious negotiations between the two companies to settle the deal.

Spielberg was so pleased with Paul Attanasio’s (‘Donnie Brasco’ and ‘The Sum of All Fears’) recent rewrite on the project, that he has definitely stepped on as producer.  There is no official word yet on whether he has decided to direct it.

While the four movies based on the 27-novel series by Donal Hamilton were somewhat tongue-in-cheek, Variety is saying Attanasio’s screenplay is closer to the recent ‘Bourne Identity’ spy thrillers.

Hollywood golden boys Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci are also on board as producers.

Source: Variety

‘Voltron’ Movie Ready to Form

voltron

From days of long ago, from uncharted regions of the universe, comes a legend; the legend of Voltron, Defender of the Universe, a mighty robot, loved by good, feared by evil.   Yes, fans, we’re talking about a ‘Voltron’ movie finally coming together. Continue reading ‘Voltron’ Movie Ready to Form

‘Unstoppable’ Stopped

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The Denzel Washington/Tony Scott train might be slowing down in more ways than one.   What would have been the fifth collaboration between the actor and the director, ‘Unstoppable,’ is looking like its production might be halted.   Budget issues and diminishing returns from the Washington/Scott alliance has caused 20th Century Fox to reconsider the project, and it could be put on hold altogether before too long.

Washington and Scott’s first film together, ‘Crimson Tide,’ released in Summer of 1995, made $91.3 million domestic.   Each film they have done together since has made less and less.   2004’s ‘Man on Fire’ topped out at $77.9 million domestic.   2006’s ‘Deja Vu’ made just over $64 million.   Their latest film, ‘The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3,’ which also boasts a $100 million pricetag, is looking like it will hold up at just under $60 million.

‘Unstoppable’ is another train-based project for the duo.   It centers on a runaway train carrying a cargo of toxic chemicals.   Washington would play a veteran engineer who, along with a young conductor, attempts to stop the train.  Chris Pine is on board to play the conductor.

The current climate of studios wanting to keep tight reigns on their budgets is becoming an ever-concerning issue for filmmakers.  This is particularly the case when your lead actor is Washington, someone who generally banks $20 million per picture, and your director is Tony Scott, someone not exactly known for his small films.

And, while Fox slowing production up on ‘Unstoppable’ isn’t as last minute as what was seen last week with Sony and Steven Soderbergh’s ‘Moneyball,’ it still puts Washington and Scott in a precarious position.  The two were planning on production to begin sometime this coming Fall, and, now, that start date looks to be completely up in the air.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

Good Ol’ Fox Planning ‘Hitman’ Sequel

hitman

It has been well-documented my disdain for much of what is coming out of 20th Century Fox’s camp lately.   Particularly their action department, and the massive drop off when it comes to the quality of 20th Century Fox Action 10-20 years ago vs. 20th Century Fox action in the past decade, has caused me a certain amount of agitation.

It isn’t that ideas aren’t coming their way.   ‘Hitman’ and ‘Babylon A.D.’ could have and probably should have been memorable actioners that rivaled anything the studio put out pre-‘Daredevil’.   Instead of making R-rated action movies for the millions of adults out there who still like to go to movies, they chopped these movies all to hell, (thanks to the vicious editor’s knife of one Nicolas De Toth) and attempted to make them more accessible for all ages.   Never mind that ‘Hitman’ got released with an R rating, anyway.   It’s like they tried to get it down to PG-13, failed, and said, “Screw it.   Let’s just release this piece of crap and make whatever bank we can off it.”

I thought it meant something when ‘Hitman’ pulled in less than $40 million domestic.   Granted, it made nearly $100 worldwide against a $24 million budget, but those local numbers sure weren’t anything to break open the Cristal over.

Evidently the execs over at Fox are thinking differently.   They have hired a writer to begin work on a sequel to the 2007 “hit”.   That writer is Kyle Ward, who has already written the screenplay for the Platinum Dunes thriller ‘Fiasco Heights’ and the Bruce Willis-starring, video game adaptation ‘Kane & Lynch.’

This raises a rather interesting question.   What poor, up-and-coming director are they going to hire to shoot this thing?   What filmmaker is going to have ‘Hitman 2’ taken away from him in the 11th hour only to have Fox’s hand-picked editors tear his vision all to hell?   It sure won’t be Xavier Gens, who directed the first ‘Hitman.’   The feeling is that bridges were burnt on both sides in the dealings Gens had with Fox on that film.   Neither party is going to want to deal with the other any time soon.

It will also be interesting to see if Timothy Olyphant returns to the role of Agent 47.   The first film was designed, it seemed, to be his breakout performance that would launch him towards A-list stardom.   It didn’t happen, and, two years later, he’s starring in the remake of ‘The Crazies’ for Overture.   He might be jumping at the chance to make a second go at the ‘Hitman’ franchise, but you never can tell.   Fox may even want a different face in the lead role, and this new film may, eventually, turn out to be a sort of relaunch of the potential series.

So, yes, ‘Hitman 2’ is happening.   20th Century Fox is fully behind it, and a screenwriter has been hired to pump out a first draft.   We’ll all have to sit back and see what happens with this project between now and the film’s eventual release.

Source: IESB

Sony Puts Brakes on Soderbergh’s ‘Moneyball’

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Columbia Pictures is no longer backing the Steven Soderbergh-directed, Brad Pitt-starring ‘Moneyball,’ which was set to begin production on Monday in Phoenix.  Columbia head Amy Pascal put the movie into “limited turnaround” on Friday.  This means that Soderbergh could set up production at another studio, and Warner and Paramount appear to be at the top of that list.

Pascal made the decision after Soderbergh and Steve Zaillian turned in their final draft of the screenplay last week.  Pascal found the final draft to be very different from those she previously read and approved of.

Reps for Soderbergh and Pitt spent all weekend trying to find another studio that would back the project for Monday’s start date.  If nothing is found before tomorrow, Columbia will examine their options.  This includes replacing Soderbergh, delaying the film’s start, or scrapping the project altogether.

Although the timing of Pascal’s decision is unusual, it is not strange for a studio to be reluctant to back ‘Moneyball.’  The film, which tells the story of former baseball player and current Oakland Athletics’ general manager, Billy Beane, was set to cost more than $50 million. Even though it has Pitt as its lead, Soderbergh has cast real life baseball players in various roles.  Soderbergh also intends to incorporate interviews he has shot with former baseball stars like Lenny Dykstra and Daryl Strawberry.

Source: Variety