Sony Pictures Home Entertainment this week announced a multiyear worldwide home entertainment distribution agreement with GVN Releasing which has Sony distributing and marketing GVN's former’s urban/women/faith-and-family-based content on DVD & BD.
GVN Releasing recently completed a joint venture with RGM-New Breed to create RGM-New Breed Film Group. The new operation will produce and market five films theatrically over the next three years, with SPHE handling all home entertainment distribution. RGM-New Breed was founded in 2012, and is an entertainment group focused on faith and family-friendly films, Christian and Gospel music, and uplifting television programming.
GVN Releasing is currently prepping the release of A Girl Like Grace, starring Meagan Good, Raven-Symone, Garcelle Beauvais, and Romeo Miller; The Fight Within, starring John Majors and directed by Michael William Gordon and Lelia Symington; and Freeway Ricky Ross, directed by Reginald Hudlin from a script by the Clune brothers and Nick Cassavettes.
“GVN Releasing distributes quality, compelling films and we expect strong performances for these titles on both physical and digital home entertainment platforms,” Ben Means, SVP of third party strategic partnerships for SPHE, said in a statement.
In an effort to show an expansion of its output and increased year-round production across multiple platforms, Sony Pictures Animation announced its release slate through 2018 which includes five theatrical features, three television series and one direct-to-video movie.
Kristine Belson, President of Sony Pictures Animation, says, "We are meaningfully stepping up our level of production, while creating an environment that fosters the best talent. Our goal is to enlarge our presence in the animation landscape with a uniquely diverse slate, and our strategy to get there is to let artists drive the movies creatively."
Tom Rothman, Chairman of Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group, adds, "I could not be more proud of the way Kristine Belson has rebuilt Sony Pictures Animation into the boldest home for animation in the industry."
Sony Pictures Animation's slate includes a diverse mix of originals and franchises, some previously announced, each with its own unique style and tone, underscoring the Studio's pledge to develop projects aimed both inside and outside of the Sony Pictures Animation family brand intended for traditional, as well as online, distribution platforms.
Scholastic, the world’s largest publisher and distributor of children’s books, announced today that it will publish the screenplay of the film Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them in the United States and Canada on November 19, 2016.
Returning to her wizarding world, the all-new adventure film, which will release November 18, 2016, marks the screenwriting debut of J.K. Rowling, author of the beloved and internationally bestselling Harry Potter books.
The published screenplay (ISBN: 978-1-338-10906-1; All Ages; $24.99 SLP) will be a hardcover. The ebook edition of the screenplay will be published by Pottermore, the global digital publisher of J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World, simultaneously with the print edition in collaboration with Scholastic in the USA.
In making the announcement, Ellie Berger, President of Scholastic’s U.S. Trade Division, said, “With any new writing from J.K. Rowling, we know that we are not only engaging her vast fan base, but are also building a new generation of readers. The much anticipated release of the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them movie marks another magical and exciting moment for film lovers and readers everywhere, and we are absolutely delighted to publish J.K. Rowling’s screenplay debut.”
HBO’s “Game of Thrones” and Warner Bros' Mad Max: Fury Road each won several awards at
the sixth annual Home Media Magazine Awards recently. The Home Media Awards honor the best DVDs and Blu-ray Discs of 2015, while the top prize went to a collection of popular superhero films.
Game of Thrones: The Complete Fourth Season, from HBO Home Entertainment, won six awards, including TV on Disc of the Year, Best Current TV Show on Disc, Best A/V Quality TV, Best Extras, Best Box Art and Best Fantasy Disc. Mad Max: Fury Road won three awards; Best Theatrical Release on Disc, Best 3D Disc and Best Action Disc. And, Shout! Factory’s collector’s edition Blu-ray of the original Mad Max won Best Catalog Title.
Title of the Year went to the Marvel Cinematic Universe Phase Two Collection, from Marvel Studios and Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment. The set, which was packaged in a replica of an artifact from Guardians of the Galaxy, also won for Best Boxed Set (Non-TV).
Blu-ray of the Year went to 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment’s Lost in Space: The Complete Adventures, which also won for Best Vintage TV Series on Disc.
HBO won a whopping eight trophies, with Bessie taking Best TV Movie and Silicon Valley: The Complete First Season earning Best Comedy Disc.
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (SPHE) and Entertainment One (eOne) have announced that SPHE will distribute eOne’s specialty label, Momentum Pictures, across physical and digital home entertainment platforms globally (excluding Canada).
Momentum Pictures’ current release slate includes The Program, from director Stephen Frears, and starring Ben Foster; Forsaken, starring Kiefer Sutherland and Donald Sutherland; and All Roads Lead to Rome, starring Sarah Jessica Parker. SPHE will also manage USA distribution for eOne television titles on DVD and Blu-ray, including Haven and Bitten.
“We are pleased to be working with Sony who have a proven track-record of success in the U.S. home entertainment market,” said Nelson Kuo-Lee, Chief Operating Officer & Executive Vice President, Global Film Group, Entertainment One. “Our new distribution agreement rounds out our plans for home entertainment globally, strengthens our relationship with retail and ideally positions us as consumer behavior evolves.”
CBS Films and Lionsgate announced that Academy Award-nominee Michael Keaton (Birdman, Spotlight) will star in the adaptation of Vince Flynn's massive bestseller AMERICAN ASSASSIN. Acclaimed filmmaker Michael Cuesta (Kill The Messenger, Homeland, L.I.E.) will direct the thriller from a screenplay by Stephen Schiff (The Americans, Ultimate Rush). Lorenzo di Bonaventura (Transformers, Deepwater Horizon, Red) and Nick Wechsler (The Road, Magic Mike) are producing the film.
Cold War veteran Stan Hurley (Keaton) would be the most feared training officer in the CIA if more than a handful of people at the agency knew that he existed. As AMERICAN ASSASSIN begins, Deputy Director Irene Kennedy tasks Hurley with training Mitch Rapp, a black ops recruit devastated by the loss of his fiancée to a terrorist attack. As Rapp's training progresses, the pair is dispatched on a joint mission with a lethal Turkish agent to stop a mysterious operative from starting World War III in the Middle East.
Published by Atria Books and in mass market paperback by Pocket Books, both imprints of Simon & Schuster, AMERICAN ASSASSIN is one of fourteen novels set in the world of counterterrorism operative Mitch Rapp. Every single one has been a New York Times bestseller, the three most recent entries have been number one New York Times bestsellers and the series has sold nearly twenty million copies to date.
"Stan Hurley is one of the pillars of the Vince Flynn universe and a favorite character for millions of readers, so casting him was a daunting challenge," said Cuesta, who continued. "To have an actor as intelligent and gifted as Michael Keaton bring this beloved character to life is a thrill for everyone involved in AMERICAN ASSASSIN and a cause for celebration amongst 'Hurley' fans the world over."
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (SPHE) and kidvid producer Genius Brands International Inc. announced a multiyear agreement for SPHE to provide marketing and distribution of GBI’s "Kid Genius" and "Baby Genius" brands throughout North America. Also, the deal allows SPHE and GBI to co-develop, distribute and globally merchandise future animated or live-action properties derived from their respective programming libraries.
“SPHE will work with the GBI team to deliver enriching learning experiences and inspiring entertainment content to families and children across North America,” said Ben Means, SVP of third-party strategic partnerships for SPHE. “This partnership underscores our longterm commitment to provide consumers with quality product for children and families.”
This transformative, long-term commitment between our companies allows Genius Brands International to focus on what we do best; creating, producing, merchandising and acquiring commercial content for both kids and families, and enables us to expand and accelerate our growth and shareholder value,” said Andy Heyward, GBI Chairman and CEO. “SPHE’s substantial, marketing, promotion, and retail and digital distribution resources will be instrumental in the continued expansion of our brands.”
Among the brands SPHE will distribute will be "SpacePOP," an all-new music and fashion-driven brand for tween girls debuting in Fall 2016; a new original "Baby Genius" series to coincide with the brand’s expanded launch in 2016; Warren Buffett’s "Secret Millionaires Club," an animated series accessible on-air, online and at retail; and Stan Lee's "Mighty 7 (SLAM 7)." Additionally, the agreement covers catalog titles and three new as-yet unannounced properties being developed by GBI.
Continuing to expand its portfolio of brands and franchises, Lionsgate has acquired the rights to the Magic Tree House book series, it was announced today by Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Co-Chairs Rob Friedman and Patrick Wachsberger. The Company is developing multiple live-action films to be released by Lionsgate's Summit Entertainment label that are based on the adventures chronicled in the 54-volume Magic Tree House collection, one of the most beloved and recognizable children's brands in the world. Award-winning author Mary Pope Osborne will executive produce along with her husband, Will Osborne.
The Magic Tree House franchise has sold over 130 million books, been translated into more than 35 languages and even spawned a successful musical on its way to worldwide acclaim. The series, which chronicles the adventures of brother and sister Jack and Annie after they discover a mysterious tree house and find a collection of books that transports them through history, has earned acclaim from diverse groups including the American Booksellers Association and the National Council of Teachers of English. Published by Random House Children's Books, the most recent installment of the 54-volume series was released last month. The series has taught millions of children the joys of reading and is perennially at the top of national bestseller lists.
Joseph Fiennes, star of Sony Pictures' new film release RISEN, met Pope Francis in Vatican City today. Fiennes is in town with actress Mario Botto and the producers to promote RISEN, which opens in theaters nationwide in the USA on February 19, 2016. The film will be screened at the Vatican tomorrow. No word on SPHE's DVD/Blu-ray release yet.
RISEN is the epic Biblical story of the Resurrection and the weeks that followed, as seen through the eyes of an unbelieving Clavius (Joseph Fiennes), a high-ranking Roman Military Tribune. Clavius and his aide Lucius (Tom Felton) are instructed by Pontius Pilate to ensure Jesus' radical followers don't steal his body and claim resurrection. When the body goes missing within days, Clavius sets out on a mission to locate the missing body in order to disprove the rumors of a risen Messiah and prevent an uprising in Jerusalem.
Rome, Italy - February 3, 2016: Risen star, Joseph Fiennes meets Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square, Vatican City.
Recently, at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival, WNET, parent company of New York's public television stations THIRTEEN and WLIW21 and operator of NJTV, announced the launch of its first theatrical imprint, American Masters Pictures, for documentaries co-produced by the American Masters series, executive produced by Michael Kantor.
The first three films under the banner have their world premieres at Sundance: Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady's Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You (Day One), Louis Black and Karen Bernstein's Richard Linklater – Dream is Destiny (January 26) and Bob Hercules and Rita Coburn Whack's Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise (January 26). The three documentaries will have their exclusive U.S. broadcast premieres on PBS as part of the American Masters series with Lear and Angelou slated for fall 2016 . Cinetic Media negotiated the deal on behalf of the Linklater filmmakers. No word on DVD or Blu-ray releases.
"When Michael approached me with the idea for American Masters Pictures, I thought it was a natural progression for the series, which has always worked with independent filmmakers," said Stephen Segaller, vice president of programming at WNET. "Our commitment to the independent film community is real and we want it to continue to thrive."
Redbox owner, Outerwall quietly announced that Mark Horak, president of Redbox, is stepping down, just 21 months after joining the kiosk video vendor following a long tenure with Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.
Outerwall CEO Erik Prusch will serve as interim president of Redbox until the position is filled. The company will initiate a search process to fill the role. While no official reason has been given for Horak’s departure, Prusch alluded to ongoing softness in kiosk disc rental as a concern.
"Consumers' rental patterns have not returned to the levels we had expected by this time,” Prusch said in a statement.
Horak was hired by former CEO J. Scott Di Valerio in March 2014 and Mr Di Valerio was let go in January. Wedbush Securities media analyst Michael Pachter says Horak was hired during the 28-day embargo discussions period with studios, which he said Horak help successfully navigate. Inventory management, however, was another issue for the firm.
"It appears he didn’t do a great job understanding their customer," Pachter said. "Horak allowed them to over-order inventory in the current quarter and demand dropped, costing them millions of dollars. That’s why he’s gone."
Barbra Streisand has signed on to direct "CATHERINE THE GREAT," written by Kristina Lauren Anderson. The news was announced by Gil Netter who will produce the film. With Streisand helming and Netter producing, casting is now underway.
The film is about a young, sensual Catherine trapped into an abusive marriage with the heir to the Russian throne. But, when her inept husband proves incapable of ruling, she utilizes her intelligence, fortitude, and passion to rise to power, becoming Catherine the Great. Anderson's script was honored with the top spot on 2014's 'Black List,' an insider's list of Hollywood's best yet unproduced screenplays.
Barbra Streisand is an entertainment icon, with award-winning success as filmmaker, actor, singer and composer. The three films directed by Streisand, "Yentl," "The Prince of Tides," and "The Mirror has Two Faces," received a total of fourteen Oscar nominations. Streisand won Oscars for Best Actress in "Funny Girl" and Best Original Song for "Evergreen." In 1984, she became the first woman to win a Golden Globe for Best Director, for the motion picture "Yentl." With that film she also became the first woman to direct, write, produce and star in a major studio film. One of show business' most highly-lauded stars, she is the only person ever to receive all of the following: Oscar, Tony, Emmy, Grammy, Golden Globe, Cable Ace, National Medal of Arts, and Peabody award, as well as the American Film Institute's Lifetime Achievement honor and the Film Society of Lincoln Center Chaplin Award. Most recently President Barack Obama awarded Streisand with our nation's highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Relativity Studios, the film division of troubled Relativity, this week announced U.S. theatrical release dates in 2016 for the following films:
March 25, 2016: The Disappointments Room
April 8, 2016: Before I Wake
May 13, 2016:Kidnap
September 30, 2016:Masterminds
December 2, 2016:Strangers 2
Relativity is a next-generation global media company engaged in multiple aspects of content production and distribution, including movies, sports, digital, branded entertainment and music.
Relativity Studios, the Company's largest division, has produced, distributed or structured financing for more than 200 motion pictures, generating more than $17 billion in worldwide box-office revenue and earning 60 Oscar nominations. Relativity's films include Oculus, Safe Haven, Act of Valor, Immortals, Limitless, and The Fighter
Only a month after purchasing a stake in Lionsgate, Discovery has agreed to a long-term deal with
the studio to distribute Discovery's programming on DVD & Blu-ray (BD) in the USA. The deal covers the DVD and Blu-ray distribution of Discovery's portfolio of series and specials across its networks, which include Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet and Investigation Discovery.
The first release under the agreement will be the February 23, 2016 Blu-ray and DVD release of Racing Extinction, the landmark documentary which had its worldwide premiere yesterday on Discovery Channel in more than 220 markets. The film, directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Louie Psihoyos (The Cove), tells the story of a team of artists and activists on an undercover operation to expose the hidden world of endangered species and the race to protect them against mass extinction. Spanning the globe to infiltrate the world's most dangerous black markets and using high tech tactics to document the link between carbon emissions and species extinction, Racing Extinction reveals stunning, never-before seen images that truly change the way we see the world.
The pact shows billionaire executive John Malone's growing interest in the Santa Monica, CA-based film and television studio who've released "The Hunger Games" franchise and "Orange Is the New Black, among others.
Malone holds a significant stake in both Discovery and Liberty Global, each of which last month acquired a 3.4% stake in Lionsgate.
“We’re thrilled to expand our relationship with Discovery, home of some of the most exciting brands on television, and delighted to bring their diverse and growing portfolio of programming to our home entertainment consumers,” said Lionsgate Home Entertainment President Ron Schwartz in a statement.
With the intention of increasing its output of independent content, television and film distributor Alchemy has acquired ANconnect and Anderson Digital and will form a strategic alliance with ARC Entertainment.
As part of the deal, in the works since May, the company has acquired ANconnect's distribution assets and the entire distribution arm of Anderson Media Corporation. Formerly owned by Freyr Thor and former Sony Pictures Home Entertainment exec, Steve Lyons, ARC Entertainment is a global digital distributor of feature films and television series. Under their new partnership, Alchemy will optimize and distribute ARC's media assets, provide financial support for the Bentonville Film Festival and allow for distribution of titles associated with the festival, both physically and digitally. In exchange, Alchemy is gaining about fifty new content partners, including Badasarian Productions, DreamWorks Animation's non-theatrical and classics divisions and Microsoft.
These multiple transactions make Alchemy the largest, non-studio aggregator for Walmart, Target, Best Buy and Sam’s Club. The deals also expand Alchemy's annual content flow to over 1,300 films and more than 3,000 television episodes.
the sixth annual Home Media Magazine Awards recently. The Home Media Awards honor the best DVDs and Blu-ray Discs of 2015, while the top prize went to a collection of popular superhero films.
the studio to distribute Discovery's programming on DVD & Blu-ray (BD) in the USA. The deal covers the DVD and Blu-ray distribution of Discovery's portfolio of series and specials across its networks, which include Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet and Investigation Discovery.