Universal Pictures International today announced that Tuesday’s overseas box office will push the studio’s international grosses past the $1 billion mark, one month earlier than ever before. This is the fastest that UPI has reached this milestone, besting a record set on August 16, 2008—through the performance of such global blockbusters as Mamma Mia!, The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor and Wanted. 2012 marks the sixth year in a row that Universal has grossed more than $1 billion at the overseas box office.
Films that have contributed to the 2012 success include Safe House, which has grossed $77.5 million to date overseas, Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax ($99.7 million), American Reunion ($177.4 million),Battleship ($238 million) and Snow White and the Huntsman($220 million). All of these films are still in release and The Lorax has yet to open in nine territories including major areas like France, Germany, the U.K. and China. The phenomenally successful domestic hit Tedhas also just begun its international run and achieved record business in all four territories in which it has opened. And Savages, the ferocious new thriller from Oliver Stone, has just begun its international rollout as well.
Universal will release five more films in 2012. The Bourne Legacy, the next chapter of the hugely popular espionage franchise, hits theaters worldwide in August. The new out-loud comedy Pitch Perfect lands in October, while the action-thriller The Man With the Iron Fists arrives in November. The studio wraps 2012 with two films in December: Les Miserables, the motion-picture adaptation of the global stage sensation seen by more than 60 million people in 42 countries and in 21 languages around the globe, and This Is 40, the latest comedy from writer/director Judd Apatow—one of the studio’s longtime collaborators.
FOCUS FEATURES AND UNIVERSAL PICTURES INTERNATIONAL TO DISTRIBUTE MIRAMAX’S ESPIONAGE THRILLER THE DEBT, STARRING HELEN MIRREN AND SAM WORTHINGTON
The espionage thriller The Debt will be distributed for Miramax by Focus Features and Universal Pictures International (UPI). Focus will release The Debt in the U.S. nationwide on Wednesday, August 31, and UPI will release the film internationally.
Directed by Academy Award nominee John Madden (Shakespeare in Love), The Debt stars Academy Award winner Helen Mirren, Sam Worthington (Avatar, Clash of the Titans), Jessica Chastain (soon to be seen in The Tree of Life), Marton Csokas (Universal’s upcoming Dream House), Jesper Christensen (Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace), Ciarán Hinds (Focus’ Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day), and two-time Academy Award nominee Tom Wilkinson. The screenplay, by Matthew Vaughn & Jane Goldman and Peter Straughan, is adapted from the 2007 Israeli film Ha-Hov. The producers of The Debt are Mr. Vaughn and Kris Thykier through Marv Films, Eitan Evan, and Eduardo Rossof; Tarquin Pack is the film’s executive producer.
The story begins in 1997, as shocking news reaches retired Mossad secret agents Rachel (played by Ms. Mirren) and Stefan (Mr. Wilkinson) about their former colleague David (Mr. Hinds). All three have been venerated for decades by their country because of the mission that they undertook back in 1966, when the trio (portrayed, respectively, by Ms. Chastain, Mr. Csokas, and Mr. Worthington) tracked down Nazi war criminal Vogel (Mr. Christensen) in East Berlin. At great risk, and at considerable personal cost, the team’s mission was accomplished – or was it? The suspense builds in and across two different time periods, with startling action and surprising revelations.
Mike Lang, CEO of Miramax, said, “We are very pleased to announce our partnership with Focus and UPI. The Debt continues Miramax’s proud history of producing the highest-quality films, with the most respected talent and directors. We believe the film will be well-received by audiences worldwide, and it will be a powerful addition to the Miramax library.”
“Given Focus’ tradition of dramatic thrillers that unfold in exotic locations, The Debt makes for a worthy addition to our 2011 release slate,” said Focus CEO James Schamus. “The picture is taut with nail-biting tension, and spotlights powerful performances from its gifted cast. We are also excited to partner with Miramax and its new team.”
“What was a strong script has become an excellent film – and the kind of terrific thriller that works so well in the international marketplace. Everyone at UPI is proud to be distributing the picture,” said UPI president, international production and acquisitions Christian Grass.
Producer Kris Thykier commented, “We are delighted that Focus and Universal Pictures International have come on board. Their enthusiasm for the movie is palpable, their track record is second to none, and we couldn’t wish for better partners. We are especially grateful to the new Miramax for their commitment to finding the right home for the film.”
About Miramax
The Miramax library is a collection of 700 motion pictures which were produced, financed or distributed by Miramax Films since 1979. The Miramax library holds some of the world’s most sophisticated, thought-provoking and critically acclaimed independent films including sex, lies and videotape; The English Patient; Shakespeare in Love; Reservoir Dogs; Chicago; Good Will Hunting; Pulp Fiction; My Left Foot; Cinema Paradiso; Life is Beautiful; Amélie; Kill Bill, Volume I and II; and No Country for Old Men, as well as scores of commercially successful films such as Bridget Jones’s Diary; the Scream, Hellraiser, and Scary Movie franchises; and Spy Kids. Collectively, the Miramax archives have received 284 Academy Award nominations and 68 Oscars, including 4 Best Picture Awards. Please visit www.miramax.com.
About Universal Pictures International
Universal Pictures markets and distributes films internationally through Universal Pictures International (UPI), which officially began doing business on January 1, 2007. In the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, German-speaking Switzerland, Benelux, Russia, Australia, Mexico and France, UPI directly markets and distributes movies through our local offices, creating campaigns and release strategies that respond to the culture and market behavior of those territories. In other parts of the world, Universal distributes through Paramount’s local offices as it transitions out of the formerly shared UIP model. In some smaller territories we continue to work through UIP on theatrical distribution.
About Focus Features
Focus Features and Focus Features International (www.focusfeatures.com) comprise a singular global company. This worldwide studio makes original and daring films that challenge the mainstream to embrace and enjoy voices and visions from around the world that deliver global commercial success. The company operates as Focus Features in North America, and as Focus Features International (FFI) in the rest of the world.
In addition to The Debt, the Focus Features slate includes Lisa Cholodenko’s The Kids Are All Right, nominated for 4 Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Actress (Annette Bening), and winner of 2 Golden Globe Awards including Best Picture [Comedy/Musical]; Academy Award-winning writer/director Sofia Coppola’s Somewhere, which won the Golden Lion Award for Best Picture at the 2010 Venice International Film Festival; Kevin Macdonald’s Roman epic adventure The Eagle, starring Channing Tatum and Jamie Bell; Cary Joji Fukunaga’s romantic drama Jane Eyre, starring Mia Wasikowska and Michael Fassbender; Joe Wright’s adventure thriller Hanna, starring Saoirse Ronan, Eric Bana, and Cate Blanchett; Mike Mills’ comedy/drama Beginners, starring Ewan McGregor and Christopher Plummer; writer/director Dee Rees’ contemporary drama Pariah, which world-premiered at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival; and Lone Scherfig’s romance One Day, based on the bestselling novel, starring Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess.
Focus Features and Universal Pictures International are part of NBCUniversal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. Comcast Corporation owns a controlling 51% interest in NBCUniversal, with GE holding a 49% stake.
