As it gets set to reveal plans for the likely separation of Starz and the Lionsgate movie and TV studio, Lionsgate has re-upped two key members of its management team: Vice Chairman Michael Burns and COO Brian Goldsmith.
Burns has extended his contract through October 2024, according to an SEC filing, while Goldsmith has agreed to a new employment agreement running through September 2025.
Burns, like CEO Jon Feltheimer, had a one-year extension written into his prior agreement and Lionsgate’s board of directors exercised that option, the filing said. Feltheimer’s contract was extended last year through 2025. The pair of execs have steered Lionsgate for more than two decades as it has grown via a series of acquisitions and innovative financial deals.
Goldsmith, a 20-year company veteran, has also factored significantly into the corporate narrative. The new contract guarantees him a base salary of $1.25 million and includes an incentive bonus to be determined by the board,...
Burns has extended his contract through October 2024, according to an SEC filing, while Goldsmith has agreed to a new employment agreement running through September 2025.
Burns, like CEO Jon Feltheimer, had a one-year extension written into his prior agreement and Lionsgate’s board of directors exercised that option, the filing said. Feltheimer’s contract was extended last year through 2025. The pair of execs have steered Lionsgate for more than two decades as it has grown via a series of acquisitions and innovative financial deals.
Goldsmith, a 20-year company veteran, has also factored significantly into the corporate narrative. The new contract guarantees him a base salary of $1.25 million and includes an incentive bonus to be determined by the board,...
- 3/3/2023
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Joe Drake has returned to Lionsgate, this time as co-chair of the Motion Picture Group.
He will serve alongside Patrick Wachsberger, who recently signed a new agreement with the studio to run Lionsgate's worldwide motion picture operations. Drake replaces Rob Friedman as co-chairman of the Motion Picture Group, who left Lionsgate a year ago.
"Joe is one of the architects of our portfolio film strategy and a perfect fit for our culture," Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer and vice-chairman Michael Burns said Thursday in a statement. "With Joe joining an incredibly talented group of executives, we've assembled a team with unparalleled...
He will serve alongside Patrick Wachsberger, who recently signed a new agreement with the studio to run Lionsgate's worldwide motion picture operations. Drake replaces Rob Friedman as co-chairman of the Motion Picture Group, who left Lionsgate a year ago.
"Joe is one of the architects of our portfolio film strategy and a perfect fit for our culture," Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer and vice-chairman Michael Burns said Thursday in a statement. "With Joe joining an incredibly talented group of executives, we've assembled a team with unparalleled...
- 10/12/2017
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Wall Street will determine whether Lionsgate’s acquisition of Starz paid off for the company. But it already paid off for CEO Jon Feltheimer and Vice Chairman Michael Burns. The CEO made $35.3 million in compensation for the fiscal year that ended in March, up 223% vs 2016, according to a proxy filed at the SEC today. And the Vice Chairman made $26.9 million, up 134%. The stock price rose 22.4% in the fiscal year, and now hovers around its 52-week high. Feltheimer’s…...
- 7/28/2017
- Deadline TV
Wall Street will determine whether Lionsgate’s acquisition of Starz paid off for the company. But it already paid off for CEO Jon Feltheimer and Vice Chairman Michael Burns. The CEO made $35.3 million in compensation for the fiscal year that ended in March, up 223% vs 2016, according to a proxy filed at the SEC today. And the Vice Chairman made $26.9 million, up 134%. The stock price rose 22.4% in the fiscal year, and now hovers around its 52-week high. Feltheimer’s…...
- 7/28/2017
- Deadline
Shareholders from both companies voted overwhelmingly for the transaction for approximately $4.4bn in cash and stock first announced in June.
The acquisition by Lionsgate of Starz creates one of the largest content platforms in the world, comprising a film and TV library of 16,000 titles, the Starz premium pay-tv operation, Lionsgate’s film distribution and sales business and a host of streaming services.
The acquisition was approved by 98% of the votes cast by Lionsgate shareholders and 95% of the votes cast by Starz shareholders, in person or represented by proxy and not including abstentions, at the companies’ respective shareholder meetings on Wednesday.
The parties said all necessary regulatory approvals have been obtained and all conditions to the closing have been satisfied.
Lionsgate stock is now split in two. Each share of previously existing Lionsgate common stock has been reclassified into 0.5 newly created voting shares of Lionsgate and 0.5 newly created non-voting shares of Lionsgate.
Holders of Starz...
The acquisition by Lionsgate of Starz creates one of the largest content platforms in the world, comprising a film and TV library of 16,000 titles, the Starz premium pay-tv operation, Lionsgate’s film distribution and sales business and a host of streaming services.
The acquisition was approved by 98% of the votes cast by Lionsgate shareholders and 95% of the votes cast by Starz shareholders, in person or represented by proxy and not including abstentions, at the companies’ respective shareholder meetings on Wednesday.
The parties said all necessary regulatory approvals have been obtained and all conditions to the closing have been satisfied.
Lionsgate stock is now split in two. Each share of previously existing Lionsgate common stock has been reclassified into 0.5 newly created voting shares of Lionsgate and 0.5 newly created non-voting shares of Lionsgate.
Holders of Starz...
- 12/8/2016
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Lionsgate and Starz are now one: The studio just closed the $4.4 billion cash and stock deal, announced in June, to buy the No. 2 premium network company. "After planning the integration of Lionsgate and Starz for the past five months, we are more excited than ever at the value created by the combination of our two great companies," Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer and Vice Chairman Michael Burns said in a joint statement. “Working together, we believe that the strategic…...
- 12/8/2016
- Deadline TV
Lionsgate and Starz are now one: The studio just closed the $4.4 billion cash and stock deal, announced in June, to buy the No. 2 premium network company. "After planning the integration of Lionsgate and Starz for the past five months, we are more excited than ever at the value created by the combination of our two great companies," Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer and Vice Chairman Michael Burns said in a joint statement. “Working together, we believe that the strategic…...
- 12/8/2016
- Deadline
The executive has been named special advisor, office of the CEO.
Rob Friedman has stepped down as co-chair of Lionsgate motio picture group.
The executive has been named special advisor, office of the CEO, the studio’s CEO Jon Feltheimer said on Friday.
Friedman has served nearly five years at Lionsgate since it acquired Summit Entertainment and in that time has worked with Patrick Wachsberger to assemble a mighty slate, although the last year or so has seen a number of titles perform below expectations.
Motion picture group co-chair Wachsberger will remain in place and continues to also oversee the company’s international sales operation.
The motion pictures group leadership team includes motion picture group co-president Erik Feig, Lionsgate co-coo Steve Beeks, chief brand officer and president of worldwide theatrical marketing Tim Palen, president of acquisitions and co-productions Jason Constantine and president of domestic theatrical distribution David Spitz.
While the international sales portion of the theatrical business...
Rob Friedman has stepped down as co-chair of Lionsgate motio picture group.
The executive has been named special advisor, office of the CEO, the studio’s CEO Jon Feltheimer said on Friday.
Friedman has served nearly five years at Lionsgate since it acquired Summit Entertainment and in that time has worked with Patrick Wachsberger to assemble a mighty slate, although the last year or so has seen a number of titles perform below expectations.
Motion picture group co-chair Wachsberger will remain in place and continues to also oversee the company’s international sales operation.
The motion pictures group leadership team includes motion picture group co-president Erik Feig, Lionsgate co-coo Steve Beeks, chief brand officer and president of worldwide theatrical marketing Tim Palen, president of acquisitions and co-productions Jason Constantine and president of domestic theatrical distribution David Spitz.
While the international sales portion of the theatrical business...
- 9/16/2016
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
The executive has been named special advisor, office of the CEO, the studio’s CEO Jon Feltheimer said on Friday.
Friedman has served nearly five years at Lionsgate since it acquired Summit Entertainment and in that time has worked with Patrick Wachsberger to assemble a mighty slate, although the last year or so has seen a number of titles perform below expectations.
Motion picture group co-chair Wachsberger will remain in place and continues to also oversee the company’s international sales operation.
The motion pictures group leadership team includes motion picture group co-president Erik Feig, Lionsgate co-coo Steve Beeks, chief brand officer and president of worldwide theatrical marketing Tim Palen, president of acquisitions and co-productions Jason Constantine and president of domestic theatrical distribution David Spitz.
While the international sales portion of the theatrical business has continued to be robust, Lionsgate has faltered at the North American box office following the end of the Hunger Games franchise.
[link...
Friedman has served nearly five years at Lionsgate since it acquired Summit Entertainment and in that time has worked with Patrick Wachsberger to assemble a mighty slate, although the last year or so has seen a number of titles perform below expectations.
Motion picture group co-chair Wachsberger will remain in place and continues to also oversee the company’s international sales operation.
The motion pictures group leadership team includes motion picture group co-president Erik Feig, Lionsgate co-coo Steve Beeks, chief brand officer and president of worldwide theatrical marketing Tim Palen, president of acquisitions and co-productions Jason Constantine and president of domestic theatrical distribution David Spitz.
While the international sales portion of the theatrical business has continued to be robust, Lionsgate has faltered at the North American box office following the end of the Hunger Games franchise.
[link...
- 9/16/2016
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
The US mini-major has signed a long-anticipated deal to acquire premium cable network operator Starz, agreeing to pay $4.4BN in cash and stock.
Us mini-major Lionsgate has signed a long-anticipated deal to acquire premium cable network operator Starz. The film and TV producer best known for the Hunger Games franchise (pictured) and Mad Men will pay $4.4bn in cash and stock for Starz.
In a statement, the companies said the deal “significantly increases the combined company’s content creation capabilities, enhances its leadership in premium scripted programming and scales its global distribution footprint across mobile, broadband, cable and satellite platforms. It also paves the way for a broad range of new content partnerships and accelerates the growth of Lionsgate and Starz’s own Ott services.”
The combined company will encompass a 16,000-title film and television library; a TV production operation with87 original series on 42 Us networks; a feature film business whose recent releases have also included the Divergent...
Us mini-major Lionsgate has signed a long-anticipated deal to acquire premium cable network operator Starz. The film and TV producer best known for the Hunger Games franchise (pictured) and Mad Men will pay $4.4bn in cash and stock for Starz.
In a statement, the companies said the deal “significantly increases the combined company’s content creation capabilities, enhances its leadership in premium scripted programming and scales its global distribution footprint across mobile, broadband, cable and satellite platforms. It also paves the way for a broad range of new content partnerships and accelerates the growth of Lionsgate and Starz’s own Ott services.”
The combined company will encompass a 16,000-title film and television library; a TV production operation with87 original series on 42 Us networks; a feature film business whose recent releases have also included the Divergent...
- 6/30/2016
- ScreenDaily
Lionsgate, a premier next generation content leader, and Starz, a leading integrated media and entertainment company, today announced an agreement under which Lionsgate will acquire Starz for a combination of cash and stock totaling $4.4 billion, creating a global content powerhouse positioned to capitalize on growth opportunities worldwide.
Under the terms of the agreement, each share of Lionsgate common stock will be reclassified into 0.5 voting and 0.5 newly created non-voting shares. Holders of each share of Starz Series A common stock will receive $18.00in cash as well as 0.6784 of a share of Lionsgate non-voting stock based on a fixed exchange ratio. Based on Lionsgate's 20-trading day volume weighted average price ("Vwap"), as of June 28, 2016, the offer represents a total value of $32.73 per share to Starz shareholders, an 18% premium to Starz's 20-trading day Vwap as of the same date. Holders of each share of Starz Series B common stock will receive $7.26 in...
Under the terms of the agreement, each share of Lionsgate common stock will be reclassified into 0.5 voting and 0.5 newly created non-voting shares. Holders of each share of Starz Series A common stock will receive $18.00in cash as well as 0.6784 of a share of Lionsgate non-voting stock based on a fixed exchange ratio. Based on Lionsgate's 20-trading day volume weighted average price ("Vwap"), as of June 28, 2016, the offer represents a total value of $32.73 per share to Starz shareholders, an 18% premium to Starz's 20-trading day Vwap as of the same date. Holders of each share of Starz Series B common stock will receive $7.26 in...
- 6/30/2016
- by Kellvin Chavez
- LRMonline.com
"The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 2" took its fourth straight week at the top of the box office over the weekend, and yet, it was just last week when Lionsgate Vice Chairman Michael Burns was already talking about potential franchise prequels that would feature more arena action. But if you think that conversation is happening far too quickly, you're not alone. Chatting with Variety at the premiere of David O. Russell's "Joy," Lawrence said what many of us are thinking when it comes to more "The Hunger Games" movies. “I think it’s too soon. They’ve got to let the body get cold, in my opinion,” she said. And I would tend to agree with that sentiment. As for whether or not you'd get more Katniss, at least as played by Lawrence, she make it clear: “I wouldn’t be involved.” Of course, it's not in any studio's...
- 12/14/2015
- by Kevin Jagernauth
- The Playlist
Oscar-winner says studio Lionsgate ought to allow more time to pass before embarking on proposed origins stories
Jennifer Lawrence has dismissed suggestions by studio Lionsgate that a new series of Hunger Games movies might find success with film audiences.
Michael Burns, entertainment vice chairman of Lionsgate, the rights holder for the series, said last week that the popular dystopian saga could continue via a series of prequel movies in which the action returned to the dreaded arenas of Panem. He suggested there was plenty of material in Suzanne Collins’s bestselling YA novel trilogy about a dystopian North America, upon which the Hunger Games films are based, which might be mined for future instalments, predicting the film series would “live on and on and on”.
Continue reading...
Jennifer Lawrence has dismissed suggestions by studio Lionsgate that a new series of Hunger Games movies might find success with film audiences.
Michael Burns, entertainment vice chairman of Lionsgate, the rights holder for the series, said last week that the popular dystopian saga could continue via a series of prequel movies in which the action returned to the dreaded arenas of Panem. He suggested there was plenty of material in Suzanne Collins’s bestselling YA novel trilogy about a dystopian North America, upon which the Hunger Games films are based, which might be mined for future instalments, predicting the film series would “live on and on and on”.
Continue reading...
- 12/14/2015
- by Ben Child
- The Guardian - Film News
The Hunger Games franchise appeared to come to a close with The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 hitting theaters last month – but there’s talk the series could be reborn with prequels. The Hunger Games Prequels? Lionsgate entertainment vice chairman Michael Burns spoke about the future of the The Hunger Games at the Ubs Global Media […]
The post ‘The Hunger Games’ Prequels Anticipated, To Feature More Arena Battles appeared first on uInterview.
The post ‘The Hunger Games’ Prequels Anticipated, To Feature More Arena Battles appeared first on uInterview.
- 12/10/2015
- by Chelsea Regan
- Uinterview
Fans who thought The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2 might be one of the last franchise finales we see on the big screen in this new era of ever-evolving cinematic universes probably won't be surprised by the news that the Hunger Games series ain't done yet. According to Lionsgate Vice Chairman Michael Burns [via THR], more Hunger Games movies are on the way... and they'll likely be prequels. Recently we heard that Disney has every intention of making Star...
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- 12/9/2015
- by affiliates@fandango.com
- Fandango
Lionsgate
Variety are reporting that Lionsgate Vice Chairman Michael Burns has been contemplating the future of the Hunger Games franchise, stating that it will “live on and on”.
Speaking at a conference yesterday, Burns said that “younger fans missed the arenas” of the first two films, after the last two parts departed that setting.
Burns is quoted as saying “If we went backwards there would obviously be arenas”, which sounds to me (and everybody else) like a call for prequels.
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 is currently in cinemas commanding a box office of $523 million, so it’s no surprise that Lionsgate would want to hold onto its cash cow… even if the law of diminishing returns has dictated that the final entries in the franchise are making less and less money with each iteration.
Although that box office is not inconsiderable, numbering in the hundreds of millions of dollars no less,...
Variety are reporting that Lionsgate Vice Chairman Michael Burns has been contemplating the future of the Hunger Games franchise, stating that it will “live on and on”.
Speaking at a conference yesterday, Burns said that “younger fans missed the arenas” of the first two films, after the last two parts departed that setting.
Burns is quoted as saying “If we went backwards there would obviously be arenas”, which sounds to me (and everybody else) like a call for prequels.
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 is currently in cinemas commanding a box office of $523 million, so it’s no surprise that Lionsgate would want to hold onto its cash cow… even if the law of diminishing returns has dictated that the final entries in the franchise are making less and less money with each iteration.
Although that box office is not inconsiderable, numbering in the hundreds of millions of dollars no less,...
- 12/9/2015
- by Dan Woburn
- Obsessed with Film
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It's definite: Lionsgate wants more The Hunger Games movies. Expect more arenas...
"I didn't see this coming", said absolutely nobody ever, about the news that Lionsgate is indeed planning to continue The Hunger Games movie franchise. Following the colossal success of the four films to date, the studio is now exploring the idea of prequel movies.
The confirmation was revealed by Lionsgate vice chairman Michael Burns, who broke the news at a posh sounding conference in New York. Whilst he didn't give specifics, the fact that the film series kicked off at the 74th Hunger Games does at least give an awful lot of backstory to explore. Whether it should be explored is a question you can file alongside whether Mockingjay should have been split into two films.
"If we went backwards there would obviously be arenas", said Burns, which suggests that earlier Hunger Games tournaments may...
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It's definite: Lionsgate wants more The Hunger Games movies. Expect more arenas...
"I didn't see this coming", said absolutely nobody ever, about the news that Lionsgate is indeed planning to continue The Hunger Games movie franchise. Following the colossal success of the four films to date, the studio is now exploring the idea of prequel movies.
The confirmation was revealed by Lionsgate vice chairman Michael Burns, who broke the news at a posh sounding conference in New York. Whilst he didn't give specifics, the fact that the film series kicked off at the 74th Hunger Games does at least give an awful lot of backstory to explore. Whether it should be explored is a question you can file alongside whether Mockingjay should have been split into two films.
"If we went backwards there would obviously be arenas", said Burns, which suggests that earlier Hunger Games tournaments may...
- 12/9/2015
- by simonbrew
- Den of Geek
Wait, you didn’t really think that The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 was the last we had seen of the franchise, did you? Talking at the Ubs Global Media and Communications Conference in New York yesterday, Lionsgate entertainment vice chairman Michael Burns compared The Hunger Games franchise to Harry Potter and promised that it will live on.
The post Hunger Games Prequels are on the Way and They’ll Feature Arena Battles appeared first on HeyUGuys.
The post Hunger Games Prequels are on the Way and They’ll Feature Arena Battles appeared first on HeyUGuys.
- 12/9/2015
- by Josh Wilding
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Fans who thought The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2 might be one of the last franchise finales we see on the big screen in this new era of ever-evolving cinematic universes probably won't be surprised by the news that the Hunger Games series ain't done yet. According to Lionsgate vice chairman Michael Burns [via THR], more Hunger Games movies are on the way... and they'll likely be prequels. Recently we heard that Disney has every intention of making Star Wars movies every year until audiences stop going, and the same can probably be said for the Marvel superhero movies. Well, add Hunger Games to that growing list, as Burns said the franchise will "live on and on." While we're probably done with Katniss's story, it appears the studio...
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- 12/9/2015
- by Erik Davis
- Movies.com
I’ll show you girl on fire. Earlier this year, Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer said that the company was “actively looking at some development and thinking about prequel and sequel possibilities” as they approached the conclusion of the highly successful “The Hunger Games” franchise. Variety (via Coming Soon) now reports that Lionsgate Vice Chairman Michael Burns said that the franchise “will live on and on” at the Ubs Global Media and Communications Conference in New York today. He noted that the younger fans missed the arenas in the final films, “Mockingjay” parts 1 and 2 and that “If we went backwards there obviously would be arenas.” Well deduced, and a terrible notion. Warning: Some mention of the events of "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay -- Part 2" follow... Just. No. This is a rare moment, because I’m not generally one to rail at a – clearly – money grabbing move on the part of any given Hollywood production company.
- 12/9/2015
- by Roth Cornet
- Hitfix
Since movie franchises basically don't end anymore, Lionsgate is currently looking for ideas to continue the Hunger Games franchise after it ostensibly wrapped up with Mockingjay — Part 2 last month. This task requires them to brainstorm more ways to show children killing each other, in language that can't help but make them sound a little bit like President Snow. Take Lionsgate vice-chairman Michael Burns, who, according to Deadline, told a crowd of wealthy adults at the Ubs Global Media and Communications Conference that he'd like to see prequels about the early Hunger Games — the fun ones, before Katniss showed up and ruined everything. "The one thing that kids say they missed [about the later films] was there was no arenas," he said. "If we went backwards there obviously would be arenas." Burns went on to say that he wishes [name redacted] wouldn't have been killed at the end...
- 12/8/2015
- by Nate Jones
- Vulture
For the past year or so, people at Lionsgate have been hinting (threatening?) that they have plans to make prequels to The Hunger Games movies. The last installment, Mockingjay — Part 2, didn't perform nearly as well as the company would have hoped — perhaps because Part 1 was dreadfully boring and splitting it into two parts was a blatant cash grab? Are audiences finally getting sick of this trend? I hope so! — but it still made enough that the executives aren't going to leave the franchise alone.
THR reports that Lionsgate entertainment vice chairman Michael Burns told a crowd at the Ubs Global Media and Communications Conference that the Hunger Games franchise will "live on and on and on."
"The one thing that kids say they missed (from the early Hunger Games films) was there was no arenas," he said, referencing the stadiums where children killed each other and noting the prior films...
THR reports that Lionsgate entertainment vice chairman Michael Burns told a crowd at the Ubs Global Media and Communications Conference that the Hunger Games franchise will "live on and on and on."
"The one thing that kids say they missed (from the early Hunger Games films) was there was no arenas," he said, referencing the stadiums where children killed each other and noting the prior films...
- 12/8/2015
- by Ben Pearson
- GeekTyrant
With their two great cash cows of "Twilight" and "The Hunger Games" seemingly over, and with no real successors in the wings at present, Lionsgate needs to either reboot or continue said properties quick smart or see some major drops in their revenue streams.
Lionsgate Vice Chairman Michael Burns appeared at the Ubs Global Media and Communications Conference in New York today and confirmed that the "Hunger Games" franchise "will live on and on".
The studio previously said they're still looking at continuing the franchise with prequels, and Burns confirmed that - noting that younger viewers missed the arena aspect of the first two films in the latter two movies - "if we went backwards there obviously would be arenas."
"The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2" has earned over $524 million worldwide at this point.
Source: Variety...
Lionsgate Vice Chairman Michael Burns appeared at the Ubs Global Media and Communications Conference in New York today and confirmed that the "Hunger Games" franchise "will live on and on".
The studio previously said they're still looking at continuing the franchise with prequels, and Burns confirmed that - noting that younger viewers missed the arena aspect of the first two films in the latter two movies - "if we went backwards there obviously would be arenas."
"The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2" has earned over $524 million worldwide at this point.
Source: Variety...
- 12/8/2015
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
It’s no secret that Lionsgate doesn’t want to let the money printing machine that is The Hunger Games franchise go. We already knew they were interested in looking at the potential for sequels or prequels to the franchise that just wrapped its initial story with the last film based on the existing novels. They aren't wasting any time, as the Vice Chairman of Lionsgate has gone on record saying the franchise, "will live on and on." The studio is apparently in the very early stages, but is specifically looking at developing prequel stories into future movies. According to Variety, Michael Burns of Lionsgate made the disclosure today as part of a conference he’s attending in New York. While The Hunger Games as a franchise has been successful, the most recent film, Mockingjay: Part 2, has been slower at the box ...
- 12/8/2015
- cinemablend.com
If you're a fan of the book and film series "The Hunger Games," then you'll probably love to hear what the Lionsgate Vice Chairman Michael Burns has to say about the possibility of making prequel films for the franchise.
Apparently, a lot of kids (operative word here being kids) want to see some films about the past Hunger Games and their contestants, long before Jennifer Lawrence's character Katniss ever existed.
"The one thing that kids say they missed was there was no arenas. If we went backwards there obviously would be arenas."
You can also expect to see prequels for franchises such as "Twilight" (*shudders*), "The Expendables," and "Saw".... which I thought already had prequels set in it's film universe, but what do I know. It's probably safe to assume that these prequel films will definitely be made, because if there is one thing big named studios love it's money.
Apparently, a lot of kids (operative word here being kids) want to see some films about the past Hunger Games and their contestants, long before Jennifer Lawrence's character Katniss ever existed.
"The one thing that kids say they missed was there was no arenas. If we went backwards there obviously would be arenas."
You can also expect to see prequels for franchises such as "Twilight" (*shudders*), "The Expendables," and "Saw".... which I thought already had prequels set in it's film universe, but what do I know. It's probably safe to assume that these prequel films will definitely be made, because if there is one thing big named studios love it's money.
- 12/8/2015
- by Nicholas Williams
- LRMonline.com
Earlier this year, Lionsgate made clear that they were already “actively looking at some development and thinking about prequel and sequel possibilities” for 'The Hunger Games' —because no studio will never let a proven brand die these days. And now, a couple of weeks after "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 2" has seemingly put an end to Katniss Everdeen's story, the studio reveals they have no intention of leaving the Capitol. Read More: Review: 'The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2' Starring Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth, Josh Hutchinson & More Speaking at the Ubs Global Media and Communications Conference in New York, Lionsgate Vice Chairman Michael Burns made it plain about the "The Hunger Games," saying it will "live on and on and on." Great! So what will be the uncovered backstories that will be carefully explored in the prequels? Well.... "The one thing that kids say they missed [from the early.
- 12/8/2015
- by Kevin Jagernauth
- The Playlist
It has been widely speculated that Lionsgate is looking to extend its Hunger Games franchise after its fourth and final film based on Suzanne Collins’ trilogy, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part II, opened and has dominated the box office for the past three weekends and currently stands at $524.2 million in global box office. Today, Lionsgate vice chairman Michael Burns stoked the flame a bit at his Ubs Global Media and Communications Conference appearance by proposing a…...
- 12/8/2015
- Deadline
As if there was ever any doubt, Lionsgate looks keen to double down on The Hunger Games further down the line. In a piece by The Hollywood Reporter, Lionsgate Entertainment Vice Chairman Michael Burns stated that the Ya franchise could “live on and on,” effectively confirming that the studio has at least hatched early plans for a prequel or spinoff movie.
Likening the dystopian juggernaut to Warner Bros.’ Harry Potter series, which is getting a spinoff of its own in 2016 courtesy of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Burns noted that there is still ample content to explore within the rich world created by author Suzanne Collins.
Per THR:
“The one thing that kids say they missed (from the early Hunger Games films) was there was no arenas. If we went backwards there obviously would be arenas.”
More News From The Web
Could the studio be readying an offshoot...
Likening the dystopian juggernaut to Warner Bros.’ Harry Potter series, which is getting a spinoff of its own in 2016 courtesy of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Burns noted that there is still ample content to explore within the rich world created by author Suzanne Collins.
Per THR:
“The one thing that kids say they missed (from the early Hunger Games films) was there was no arenas. If we went backwards there obviously would be arenas.”
More News From The Web
Could the studio be readying an offshoot...
- 12/8/2015
- by Michael Briers
- We Got This Covered
Lionsgate vice chairman Michael Burns reaffirmed the indie studio’s plans to develop “Hunger Games” prequels built within the universe of Jennifer Lawrence‘s bow-and-arrow-wielding heroine Katniss Everdeen. Burns compared the four-film franchise, which just wrapped with the release of “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2” last month, to “Harry Potter” as something that will “live on and on and on.” Speaking at the Ubs Media and Communications Conference in New York on Tuesday, Burns also dismissed concern that the finale opened less strongly than its predecessors at the box office. Also Read: 'Hunger Games' Sneaks Past 'Krampus' for 3rd...
- 12/8/2015
- by Joan E. Solsman
- The Wrap
Lionsgate entertainment vice chairman Michael Burns compares Hunger Games to Harry Potter and says it will "live on and on and on." Burns spoke Tuesday at the Ubs Global Media and Communications Conference in New York as Lionsgate's latest edition of Hunger Games continues to lead the box office with about $525 million earned worldwide to date. The film grossed just over $100 million in its opening weekend, behind earlier segments. Burns noted that he was disappointed, but that it was a "high-class problem" to have. Fans of the Katniss Everdeen franchise should definitely expect to see prequels. "The
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- 12/8/2015
- by Eriq Gardner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Discovery and Liberty Global each plan to pay $195m for separate 3.4% stakes in the indie studio.
Lionsgate has reached a “deal in principle” with Discovery Communications and Liberty Global, which will each take a 3.4% stake in the studio for $195m in cash.
The move will see Liberty Global president and CEO Mike Fries and Discovery president and CEO David Zaslav join the Lionsgate board of directors.
Discovery and Liberty Global will each enter into separate commercial agreements with Lionsgate to license rights for certain theatrical and television content across their markets.
Both companies, which will acquire around 5 million shares of Lionsgate, are controlled by Liberty’s Global’s John Malone, who already has a seat in the studio’s boardroom and a 3.5% stake in Lionsgate. The share acquisitions are expected to close later today.
Discovery and Liberty Global previously jointly acquired UK television producer All3Media to bolster their content businesses.
“We’re very...
Lionsgate has reached a “deal in principle” with Discovery Communications and Liberty Global, which will each take a 3.4% stake in the studio for $195m in cash.
The move will see Liberty Global president and CEO Mike Fries and Discovery president and CEO David Zaslav join the Lionsgate board of directors.
Discovery and Liberty Global will each enter into separate commercial agreements with Lionsgate to license rights for certain theatrical and television content across their markets.
Both companies, which will acquire around 5 million shares of Lionsgate, are controlled by Liberty’s Global’s John Malone, who already has a seat in the studio’s boardroom and a 3.5% stake in Lionsgate. The share acquisitions are expected to close later today.
Discovery and Liberty Global previously jointly acquired UK television producer All3Media to bolster their content businesses.
“We’re very...
- 11/10/2015
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
The co-chairs of Lionsgate’s motion picture group have signed long-term renewals on their contracts.
Rob Friedman and Patrick Wachsberger will continue to oversee all aspects of Lionsgate’s Us and international feature film acquisition, production and distribution operations.
Since Lionsgate acquired Summit Entertainment in January 2012 the company has achieved record years of more than $2bn at the worldwide box office in 2012 and 2013 and grossed more than $1bn at the international box office for three straight years.
The feature slate encompasses approximately 30 releases annually from the Lionsgate and Summit labels as well as Latino specialist Pantelion Films, the urban Codeblack Pictures label, the partnership with Roadside Attractions and Lionsgate UK.
“Rob and Patrick’s complementary skills are invaluable in growing our motion picture operations worldwide, and their experience, expertise and relationships will continue to play an integral role in moving our business forward,” said Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer and vice-chairman Michael Burns.
“We’re pleased...
Rob Friedman and Patrick Wachsberger will continue to oversee all aspects of Lionsgate’s Us and international feature film acquisition, production and distribution operations.
Since Lionsgate acquired Summit Entertainment in January 2012 the company has achieved record years of more than $2bn at the worldwide box office in 2012 and 2013 and grossed more than $1bn at the international box office for three straight years.
The feature slate encompasses approximately 30 releases annually from the Lionsgate and Summit labels as well as Latino specialist Pantelion Films, the urban Codeblack Pictures label, the partnership with Roadside Attractions and Lionsgate UK.
“Rob and Patrick’s complementary skills are invaluable in growing our motion picture operations worldwide, and their experience, expertise and relationships will continue to play an integral role in moving our business forward,” said Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer and vice-chairman Michael Burns.
“We’re pleased...
- 1/14/2015
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Rob Friedman and Patrick Wachsberger have renewed “long-term” agreements with Lionsgate to remain as co-chairs of the studio’s Motion Picture Group.
The studio behind “The Hunger Games” franchise did not, however, indicate just how long those agreements will last when announcing the news on Wednesday.
See photos: TheWrap’s 25 Most Anticipated Movies of 2015: From ‘Fifty Shades’ to ‘Star Wars’ and ‘Spectre’
The pair, who joined the company in 2012 when Lionsgate acquired Summit Entertainment, will continue to oversee all aspects of Lionsgate’s domestic and international feature film acquisition, production and distribution operations.
In 2012 and 2013, Lionsgate scored record years...
The studio behind “The Hunger Games” franchise did not, however, indicate just how long those agreements will last when announcing the news on Wednesday.
See photos: TheWrap’s 25 Most Anticipated Movies of 2015: From ‘Fifty Shades’ to ‘Star Wars’ and ‘Spectre’
The pair, who joined the company in 2012 when Lionsgate acquired Summit Entertainment, will continue to oversee all aspects of Lionsgate’s domestic and international feature film acquisition, production and distribution operations.
In 2012 and 2013, Lionsgate scored record years...
- 1/14/2015
- by Greg Gilman
- The Wrap
When I go to the Berlin Talents every February where I talk about the international film business, or when I teach at the Deutsche Welle Akademie to Film Festival Directors from Asia, Africa and Latin America, I am inspired to see the diversity of the well educated, articulate and idealistic younger generation.
This new generation is organizing festivals as new channels of distribution, creating new audiences from heretofore little heard-of places in Africa, Asia and Latin America, and via the Talents, everywhere else in the world. The Talents themselves are living all over the world, and their parents often come from still other faraway and little known countries and cities. These "third culture kids" aka Tck may well be running things very soon.
Last year when a young woman director, seeking some guidance began to explain to me that she knew being a woman with an Egyptian father and a Somalian mother, living in London was not exactly a recipe for success, I interrupted her to tell her never to explain, apologize or negate herself; that her origins and parentage are the new normal and they can make our world a new diverse world in which everyone has a share and in which unique stories that others want to hear can find their audiences.
My own proclivities to diversity -- I belong to a minority group that is increasingly vilified and yet is always at the forefront of every field (except sports and dance) -- that is, I am Jewish -- sensitizes me to what is good or bad for the Jews.
My reflex reaction to every news item reflects this. For example, Bernie Madoff : Bad for the Jews. Nobel prize winner? Good for the Jews.
I am also an American. And I am thrilled when I see The Americas bonding together to make movies. Los Cabos International Film Festival, with its motto, "Get to know your neighbors" and its mission of unifying a production community of both indies and studios from Mexico, U.S. and Canada (and the rest of the Americas) brought this exciting development to the forefront of my mind.
On the Jewish side of this development, it is also great because in our business there are always Jews, no matter where, even in Palestinian production, thanks to Katriel Schory of the Israel Film Fund. That is, in fact, why I entered this crazy business in the first place.
Recently I read the front page of the L.A. Times and saw that China is really seeking a foothold in our U.S. business. Megaconglomerate, Dalian Wanda -- employer of our dear friend, Rose Kuo, and employer of the former President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), Hawk Koch -- is eyeing Lionsgate (and MGM who still produces the James Bond franchise) for acquisition. Lionsgate already has a streaming VoD deal with the other Chinese megaconglomerate, Alibaba, which looks like it is about to dwarf Amazon.
That is natural connection in many ways. Lionsgate has a stable and friendly team whose players, from Jon Feltheimer, Michael Burns, John Dellaverson, Steve Beeks, Jason Constantine, Eda Kowan, and even the comparatively newcomer to LG, Patrick Wachsberger and his team, have been together a very long time making LG one of the most stable companies in the business. At face value, when reckoning the Us $40.9 million gross in China of "Escape Plan", a Us $25.1 million grosser in U.S., or "The Hunger Games" which in China grossed U.S. $27.9 million and in U.S. Grossed Us $408 million, this looks like a good match.
Let me go back one step before I step forward into the Dance of the New Year with the points I want to make in this blog.
One step back:
Three years ago, the Chinese paid for the most lavish Cannes Market Opening Night party we had seen in a very long time. The following year India hosted the party on a decidedly lesser budget. The following year it reverted to the Chinese. The Chinese firework display, their food, their extravaganza entertainment that first year had everybody buzzing, "The Chinese are taking over." This was said as a fearful revelation and with a tinge of xenophobia.
U.S. Debt: owned by China
African developing industry: owned by China
All the factories and steel of Germany: bought and exported by China
Cannes Market: owned by China (not so)
Everybody recognizes the might of China's economic power. Are we friends? Are they potential enemies? In trade we know friendliness is much more profitable than enmity, which is why the world needs to live in peaceful coexistence. China has 4,000 years of business dealings and bureaucratic and political infrastructure building, quite a jump over our measly 125 years of Capitalism.
That is Step One.
Steps Forward: Two and Three, Four, Five and Six
Step Two:
If Wang Jianlin, owner of Dalian Wanda Group buys Lionsgate and MGM, which seems likely in 2015, what does that mean for us? Lionsgate already has a deal for digital on demand with the Chinese megaconglomerate Alibaba.
One, as Jews, it is like the 1948 novel Peony by Pearl Buck. The Chinese don't care that the waves of Chinese populations act like tsunamis. And being engulfed in a tsunami does not mean an end to life. It means the continuation of new, formerly small forms of life which are presently defining themselves as recognizable market forces and which resemble the Afghan-Chinese children who were born in Africa but live in London, or The Jews who look Chinese or Indian rather than "white". These are the "Third Culture Kids", aka Tck, and they are our future.
Steps Three, Four, Five and Six
Lionsgate owns “The Hunger Games” franchise, The Tyler Perry franchise, and it has a solid share in The Eugenio Derbez (read "Latino") franchise, 3Pas Studios. What this promises for diversity is phenomenal:
Three:
Women have a share in "The Hunger Games"...and I hope that a new twosome for the big screen will soon be Reese Witherspoon and Eugene Derbez who have the potential of becoming this century's Claudette Colbert and Clark Gable. "It Happened One Night" remains a classic.
Four:
African Americans have a share as a recognizable market force as the Tyler Perry franchise proves. The “new” demographic can define and refine new audiences in the rising middle classes of Africa. The extraordinary numbers of African buyers at Afm this year attest to their rising economic power.
Five:
Asian Americans have a huge new market too. Finally the niche indie players will find kindred groups in So. Korea, China, Japan, Malaysia and Thailand, Taiwan and Hong Kong, etc. who will show their appreciation of Hollywood trained talent who happen to also be Asian and have struggled for so long to find a foothold in this business.
Six:
And Latin America, the only region in the world without any vexing international competitive opponents, the only region never hit by the military war machine (not to say they have been free of military dictatorships in their histories or subjugated by colonial powers); Latam offers a potential audience of 470 million Spanish speakers.
The diversity of the niche streams will form a strong current. That is where I am seeing the excitement fomenting.
Giants do not live alone among themselves. Even in fairy tales, the people in the cities are the focus of their power. Analogous to that, the U.S. Major Studios, weakened by the growth of independent cinema are now finding major allies among the Chinese and Indians (Reliance does own Dreamworks and Im Global). And as they ever seek new talent to revitalize their propensity to grow fat and slower, so again we can watch and partake in a new growth, a new vitality in our worldwide moving picture industry. There is enough to go around. The majors, while guarding their lion’s share of the market still must spread the wealth because they no longer own all the means of production or distribution.
The 1% cannot hoard its wealth when a new giant is stalking the land and is spreading its wealth in creative ways which bring new life to the bit players looking for work.
More movies with bigger budgets and more megaplexes worldwide mean more actors, directors, writers, producers, teachers and trainers for both cineastes and the general public to buy more tickets...that is show business.
Out with the old stagnation, and in with the new currents. May they become a tonic wave of power that we all can ride into shore. (Thank you Stefan Zweig for your metaphor of 100 years ago.).
Have a healthy, happy and profitable 2015!
This new generation is organizing festivals as new channels of distribution, creating new audiences from heretofore little heard-of places in Africa, Asia and Latin America, and via the Talents, everywhere else in the world. The Talents themselves are living all over the world, and their parents often come from still other faraway and little known countries and cities. These "third culture kids" aka Tck may well be running things very soon.
Last year when a young woman director, seeking some guidance began to explain to me that she knew being a woman with an Egyptian father and a Somalian mother, living in London was not exactly a recipe for success, I interrupted her to tell her never to explain, apologize or negate herself; that her origins and parentage are the new normal and they can make our world a new diverse world in which everyone has a share and in which unique stories that others want to hear can find their audiences.
My own proclivities to diversity -- I belong to a minority group that is increasingly vilified and yet is always at the forefront of every field (except sports and dance) -- that is, I am Jewish -- sensitizes me to what is good or bad for the Jews.
My reflex reaction to every news item reflects this. For example, Bernie Madoff : Bad for the Jews. Nobel prize winner? Good for the Jews.
I am also an American. And I am thrilled when I see The Americas bonding together to make movies. Los Cabos International Film Festival, with its motto, "Get to know your neighbors" and its mission of unifying a production community of both indies and studios from Mexico, U.S. and Canada (and the rest of the Americas) brought this exciting development to the forefront of my mind.
On the Jewish side of this development, it is also great because in our business there are always Jews, no matter where, even in Palestinian production, thanks to Katriel Schory of the Israel Film Fund. That is, in fact, why I entered this crazy business in the first place.
Recently I read the front page of the L.A. Times and saw that China is really seeking a foothold in our U.S. business. Megaconglomerate, Dalian Wanda -- employer of our dear friend, Rose Kuo, and employer of the former President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), Hawk Koch -- is eyeing Lionsgate (and MGM who still produces the James Bond franchise) for acquisition. Lionsgate already has a streaming VoD deal with the other Chinese megaconglomerate, Alibaba, which looks like it is about to dwarf Amazon.
That is natural connection in many ways. Lionsgate has a stable and friendly team whose players, from Jon Feltheimer, Michael Burns, John Dellaverson, Steve Beeks, Jason Constantine, Eda Kowan, and even the comparatively newcomer to LG, Patrick Wachsberger and his team, have been together a very long time making LG one of the most stable companies in the business. At face value, when reckoning the Us $40.9 million gross in China of "Escape Plan", a Us $25.1 million grosser in U.S., or "The Hunger Games" which in China grossed U.S. $27.9 million and in U.S. Grossed Us $408 million, this looks like a good match.
Let me go back one step before I step forward into the Dance of the New Year with the points I want to make in this blog.
One step back:
Three years ago, the Chinese paid for the most lavish Cannes Market Opening Night party we had seen in a very long time. The following year India hosted the party on a decidedly lesser budget. The following year it reverted to the Chinese. The Chinese firework display, their food, their extravaganza entertainment that first year had everybody buzzing, "The Chinese are taking over." This was said as a fearful revelation and with a tinge of xenophobia.
U.S. Debt: owned by China
African developing industry: owned by China
All the factories and steel of Germany: bought and exported by China
Cannes Market: owned by China (not so)
Everybody recognizes the might of China's economic power. Are we friends? Are they potential enemies? In trade we know friendliness is much more profitable than enmity, which is why the world needs to live in peaceful coexistence. China has 4,000 years of business dealings and bureaucratic and political infrastructure building, quite a jump over our measly 125 years of Capitalism.
That is Step One.
Steps Forward: Two and Three, Four, Five and Six
Step Two:
If Wang Jianlin, owner of Dalian Wanda Group buys Lionsgate and MGM, which seems likely in 2015, what does that mean for us? Lionsgate already has a deal for digital on demand with the Chinese megaconglomerate Alibaba.
One, as Jews, it is like the 1948 novel Peony by Pearl Buck. The Chinese don't care that the waves of Chinese populations act like tsunamis. And being engulfed in a tsunami does not mean an end to life. It means the continuation of new, formerly small forms of life which are presently defining themselves as recognizable market forces and which resemble the Afghan-Chinese children who were born in Africa but live in London, or The Jews who look Chinese or Indian rather than "white". These are the "Third Culture Kids", aka Tck, and they are our future.
Steps Three, Four, Five and Six
Lionsgate owns “The Hunger Games” franchise, The Tyler Perry franchise, and it has a solid share in The Eugenio Derbez (read "Latino") franchise, 3Pas Studios. What this promises for diversity is phenomenal:
Three:
Women have a share in "The Hunger Games"...and I hope that a new twosome for the big screen will soon be Reese Witherspoon and Eugene Derbez who have the potential of becoming this century's Claudette Colbert and Clark Gable. "It Happened One Night" remains a classic.
Four:
African Americans have a share as a recognizable market force as the Tyler Perry franchise proves. The “new” demographic can define and refine new audiences in the rising middle classes of Africa. The extraordinary numbers of African buyers at Afm this year attest to their rising economic power.
Five:
Asian Americans have a huge new market too. Finally the niche indie players will find kindred groups in So. Korea, China, Japan, Malaysia and Thailand, Taiwan and Hong Kong, etc. who will show their appreciation of Hollywood trained talent who happen to also be Asian and have struggled for so long to find a foothold in this business.
Six:
And Latin America, the only region in the world without any vexing international competitive opponents, the only region never hit by the military war machine (not to say they have been free of military dictatorships in their histories or subjugated by colonial powers); Latam offers a potential audience of 470 million Spanish speakers.
The diversity of the niche streams will form a strong current. That is where I am seeing the excitement fomenting.
Giants do not live alone among themselves. Even in fairy tales, the people in the cities are the focus of their power. Analogous to that, the U.S. Major Studios, weakened by the growth of independent cinema are now finding major allies among the Chinese and Indians (Reliance does own Dreamworks and Im Global). And as they ever seek new talent to revitalize their propensity to grow fat and slower, so again we can watch and partake in a new growth, a new vitality in our worldwide moving picture industry. There is enough to go around. The majors, while guarding their lion’s share of the market still must spread the wealth because they no longer own all the means of production or distribution.
The 1% cannot hoard its wealth when a new giant is stalking the land and is spreading its wealth in creative ways which bring new life to the bit players looking for work.
More movies with bigger budgets and more megaplexes worldwide mean more actors, directors, writers, producers, teachers and trainers for both cineastes and the general public to buy more tickets...that is show business.
Out with the old stagnation, and in with the new currents. May they become a tonic wave of power that we all can ride into shore. (Thank you Stefan Zweig for your metaphor of 100 years ago.).
Have a healthy, happy and profitable 2015!
- 1/1/2015
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
As stock in Lionsgate soared in morning trading on Friday, top execs at the mini-studio did little to discount speculation a major stake could be sold to Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba. Lionsgate vice-chairman Michael Burns declined to deny reports Mark Rachesky, whose 37.4 percent stake in Lionsgate in 2011 thwarted Carl Icahn in his proxy fight, is in negotiations over a possible sale to Alibaba chief Jack Ma. "We obviously can't comment on speculation in the press about any of our shareholders, including our largest and very supportive Mark Rachesky," Burns told analysts during a
read more...
read more...
- 11/7/2014
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Just when we thought that Teams Edward and Jacob were over, Lionsgate and author Stephenie Meyer are breathing new life into the “Twilight Saga.”
According to the New York Times, a plan is underway to recruit five aspiring directors to create short films based on characters from the uber-popular franchise to be shown on Facebook next year.
Adding even more cred to the project, Kristen Stewart will be a member of the panel that chooses which directors will make the cut.
Lionsgate vice chairman Michael Burns explained, "We think Facebook is a great way for us to introduce the world of Twilight to a whole new audience while re-energizing existing fans. This is the just the beginning—a template, if you will. You can probably guess what might be coming next."...
According to the New York Times, a plan is underway to recruit five aspiring directors to create short films based on characters from the uber-popular franchise to be shown on Facebook next year.
Adding even more cred to the project, Kristen Stewart will be a member of the panel that chooses which directors will make the cut.
Lionsgate vice chairman Michael Burns explained, "We think Facebook is a great way for us to introduce the world of Twilight to a whole new audience while re-energizing existing fans. This is the just the beginning—a template, if you will. You can probably guess what might be coming next."...
- 10/1/2014
- GossipCenter
It's been two years since the last Twilight movie was released, but if you thought you were finally done hearing about Team Edward and Team Jacob, think again. The hugely popular series of fantasy novels will serve as the source material for five short films that will be led by female directors and distributed exclusively through Facebook. The Twilight shorts will be the result of a partnership between several companies. Crowdsourcing platform Tongal will launch a contest in search of the five directors who will participate in the project. Once those women are chosen, they will be advised by members of Women In Film, including Twilight's star, Kristen Stewart, and its director, Catherine Hardwicke. Once the films are completed, they will be released through Facebook, which is known to be searching for exclusive content. The entire project will be funded by Lions Gate, the studio behind the Twilight films. Lions...
- 10/1/2014
- by Sam Gutelle
- Tubefilter.com
Vampires live forever, and apparently, so do their film franchises.
Vampires live forever, and apparently, so do their film franchises. The Twilight Saga is back!
Two years after the release of the final sequel, Breaking Dawn Part 2, The New York Times reports that Lions Gate is teaming up with Facebook to finance five short films based on the Twilight characters.
Photos: 5 Sci-Fi Movies That Should be Remade with Robert Pattinson
The Storytellers — New Creative Voices of The Twilight Saga will have a group of female panelists choosing five up-and-coming female directors to direct the shorts, which will then debut on Facebook exclusively.
The best part about is that the panel includes Bella Swan herself, actress Kristen Stewart. Other notable women joining Stewart include Kate Winslet, Octavia Spencer, Julie Bowen, Twilight author Stephenie Meyer, Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke, producer Cathy Schulman and Frozen co-director Jennifer Lee. The project is backed by Women in Film, an organization...
Vampires live forever, and apparently, so do their film franchises. The Twilight Saga is back!
Two years after the release of the final sequel, Breaking Dawn Part 2, The New York Times reports that Lions Gate is teaming up with Facebook to finance five short films based on the Twilight characters.
Photos: 5 Sci-Fi Movies That Should be Remade with Robert Pattinson
The Storytellers — New Creative Voices of The Twilight Saga will have a group of female panelists choosing five up-and-coming female directors to direct the shorts, which will then debut on Facebook exclusively.
The best part about is that the panel includes Bella Swan herself, actress Kristen Stewart. Other notable women joining Stewart include Kate Winslet, Octavia Spencer, Julie Bowen, Twilight author Stephenie Meyer, Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke, producer Cathy Schulman and Frozen co-director Jennifer Lee. The project is backed by Women in Film, an organization...
- 10/1/2014
- Entertainment Tonight
Lionsgate has just announced that they'll be teaming with Twilight writer Stephenie Meyer to create a new slate of short film's based on characters from that universe. That's not their only ambition with the project, as they outline in their official press release:
As part of its ongoing effort to enhance its diverse portfolio of premium content, Lionsgate (NYSE: Lgf), a premier next generation global content leader, is teaming with Facebook, the prestigious Women In Film organization, the crowdsourcing platform Tongal and best-selling Twilight Saga author Stephenie Meyer to create and manage a social media campaign to develop and produce a series of short films directed by aspiring female filmmakers. The campaign, called "The Storytellers – New Creative Voices of The Twilight Saga," will include films based on a broad spectrum of characters from the Twilight universe, with guidance provided by Meyer's encyclopedic The Twilight Saga: Official Illustrated Guide.
The campaign...
As part of its ongoing effort to enhance its diverse portfolio of premium content, Lionsgate (NYSE: Lgf), a premier next generation global content leader, is teaming with Facebook, the prestigious Women In Film organization, the crowdsourcing platform Tongal and best-selling Twilight Saga author Stephenie Meyer to create and manage a social media campaign to develop and produce a series of short films directed by aspiring female filmmakers. The campaign, called "The Storytellers – New Creative Voices of The Twilight Saga," will include films based on a broad spectrum of characters from the Twilight universe, with guidance provided by Meyer's encyclopedic The Twilight Saga: Official Illustrated Guide.
The campaign...
- 10/1/2014
- by Mario-Francisco Robles
- LRMonline.com
The Twilight saga may be finished as both a book and movie series, but its creator has found a unique way to revive it. Author Stephenie Meyer, who wrote the four Twilight novels, and Lionsgate, the company that produced the movies, have partnered with Facebook to develop five short films set within the vampire-and-werewolf series' universe to be shown exclusively on the social media network next year, and they're seeking five female directors to make them. The talent search, dubbed "The Storytellers: New Voices of the Twilight Saga," will be hosted on Tongal,...
- 10/1/2014
- Rollingstone.com
“Twilight” fans have had to settle for rereading Stephenie Meyer's books and rewatching the five films in the franchise to get their regular fix, but there is new content on the way for Twi-hards. Meyer has partnered with Lions Gate and Facebook to bring five new short films featuring “Twilight” characters to the screen. Also read: Netflix Launching Selective Facebook Recommendations “We think Facebook is a great way for us to introduce the world of ‘Twilight’ to a whole new audience while re-energizing existing fans,” Michael Burns, Lions Gate's vice chairman, told The New York Times. Five aspiring female directors will be selected.
- 10/1/2014
- by Jason Hughes
- The Wrap
Gird your loins, and get out your sparkles 'cause there's more "Twilight" coming our way - via Facebook!
If you're an aspiring female filmmaker with a taste for "Twilight," listen up. "The Storytellers - New Creative Voices of The 'Twilight' Saga" is an upcoming competition cooked up by "Twilight" distributor Lionsgate and author Stephenie Meyer that will award five female filmmakers the funds to make short films based on "Twilight" characters. Plus, the big winner will receive cold, hard cash and what's being nebulously referred to as "career opportunities." The organization Women in Film is also a partner in this venture, which is designed to boost the visibility of female filmmakers in Hollywood.
It's also a clever way to rejuvenate the "Twilight" franchise in a whole new way using social media. Whether or not this will lead to more "Twilight" flicks in the future is a mystery, but Lionsgate's Michael Burns teased,...
If you're an aspiring female filmmaker with a taste for "Twilight," listen up. "The Storytellers - New Creative Voices of The 'Twilight' Saga" is an upcoming competition cooked up by "Twilight" distributor Lionsgate and author Stephenie Meyer that will award five female filmmakers the funds to make short films based on "Twilight" characters. Plus, the big winner will receive cold, hard cash and what's being nebulously referred to as "career opportunities." The organization Women in Film is also a partner in this venture, which is designed to boost the visibility of female filmmakers in Hollywood.
It's also a clever way to rejuvenate the "Twilight" franchise in a whole new way using social media. Whether or not this will lead to more "Twilight" flicks in the future is a mystery, but Lionsgate's Michael Burns teased,...
- 10/1/2014
- by Jenni Miller
- Moviefone
Twilight Saga will live on with five short films produced by Lions Gate in partnership with Facebook, each of which will be created by a female director.
Twilight Saga Short Films On Facebook
Each short film will be based on the characters originated in Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight series and embodied onscreen in The Twilight Saga that launched the careers of Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson. None of the films will star members of the original cast, and it is unclear who will pen the scripts or which stories will be explored.
The short films will be released exclusively on Facebook, creating a partnership that Lions Gate hopes to continue in the future. “We think Facebook is a great way for us to introduce the world of Twilight to a whole new audience while re-energizing existing fans,” said Lions Gate Vice Chariman Michael Burns.
Each short will be directed by...
Twilight Saga Short Films On Facebook
Each short film will be based on the characters originated in Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight series and embodied onscreen in The Twilight Saga that launched the careers of Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson. None of the films will star members of the original cast, and it is unclear who will pen the scripts or which stories will be explored.
The short films will be released exclusively on Facebook, creating a partnership that Lions Gate hopes to continue in the future. “We think Facebook is a great way for us to introduce the world of Twilight to a whole new audience while re-energizing existing fans,” said Lions Gate Vice Chariman Michael Burns.
Each short will be directed by...
- 10/1/2014
- Uinterview
On Tuesday, Twilight writer Stephenie Meyer and Lions Gate announced that five female directors will be selected to make short films based on Twilight characters, which will then be screened on Facebook. The series, called "The Storytellers — New Creative Voices of The Twilight Saga," is backed by the organization Women in Film, which aims to increase the number of female directors. Participants will be selected by a panel of various female luminaries, including Meyer, Kristen Stewart, Kate Winslet, Julie Bowen, and Octavia Spencer. “We think Facebook is a great way for us to introduce the world of Twilight to a whole new audience while re-energizing existing fans,” said Lions Gate’s vice-chairman Michael Burns."This is just the beginning — a template, if you will," Burns added. "You can probably guess what might be coming next." While he wouldn’t elaborate, he did go on to say, "We love Stephenie Meyer.
- 10/1/2014
- by Anna Silman
- Vulture
Twi-hards and/or starry-eyed wannabe filmmakers, listen up: you too can direct your very own "Twilight" movie. In a multi-faceted partnership with Facebook, the Hollywood professional organization Women In Film, crowdsourcing platform Tongal and "Twilight Saga" author Stephenie Meyer, Lionsgate Films announced today a new "multiphase" social media contest in which a lucky group of aspiring female filmmakers will get the chance to direct a series of short films based on "a broad spectrum" of characters from the "Twilight" universe. Entitled “The Storytellers – New Creative Voices of The Twilight Saga,” the campaign will enlist "at least five" female filmmakers to direct the short films with the guidance of a "blue chip panel of advisors" including Meyer, "Twilight" star Kristen Stewart, actresses Kate Winslet and Octavia Spencer, "Frozen" writer and co-director Jennifer Lee, "Twilight" director Catherine Hardwicke, "Modern Family" star Julie Bowen and Women In Film President Cathy Schulman. The five...
- 10/1/2014
- by Chris Eggertsen
- Hitfix
Lionsgate is teaming with Facebook, the prestigious Women In Film organization, the crowdsourcing platform Tongal and best-selling Twilight Saga author Stephenie Meyer to create and manage a social media campaign to develop and produce a series of short films directed by aspiring female filmmakers.
The campaign, called “The Storytellers – New Creative Voices of The Twilight Saga,” will include films based on a broad spectrum of characters from the Twilight universe, with guidance provided by Meyer’s encyclopedic The Twilight Saga: Official Illustrated Guide.
The campaign will center on a multiphase contest culminating in the selection of at least five aspiring female filmmakers to direct short films based on characters from the Twilight universe. The films will be produced and directed with the mentorship of a blue chip panel of advisors, which will ultimately select the winning shorts that will premiere exclusively on the Facebook platform next year.
The star-studded group...
The campaign, called “The Storytellers – New Creative Voices of The Twilight Saga,” will include films based on a broad spectrum of characters from the Twilight universe, with guidance provided by Meyer’s encyclopedic The Twilight Saga: Official Illustrated Guide.
The campaign will center on a multiphase contest culminating in the selection of at least five aspiring female filmmakers to direct short films based on characters from the Twilight universe. The films will be produced and directed with the mentorship of a blue chip panel of advisors, which will ultimately select the winning shorts that will premiere exclusively on the Facebook platform next year.
The star-studded group...
- 10/1/2014
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Just when you thought The Twilight Saga was over, it's back with sparkly new skin. Two years after the release of Breaking Dawn Part 2, Lions Gate announced on Tuesday that it's financing five short films that will be based on Twilight characters that will premiere exclusively on Facebook next year. A group of female panelists will choose from five aspiring female directors to direct the films, titled The Storytellers — New Creative Voices of ‘The Twilight Saga. The panel, according to The Times, includes Bella herself, Kristen Stewart; The Twilight Saga author Stephenie Meyer; Kate Winslet; Octavia Spencer; Julie Bowen; Twilight...
- 10/1/2014
- by Emily Blake
- EW - Inside Movies
Continuing to enjoy the success of “Divergent,” Lionsgate Films announced today (April 11) the series will officially consist of four movies.
While the sequel “Insurgent” is set to open March 2015, the third and final installment of the trilogy “Allegiant” will be split into two parts with the first film released in March 2016.
The studio’s vice chairman Michael Burns told Variety last month, “Assuming the movie works as we expect, we like the idea of a ‘Divergent’ film every March to complement our ‘Hunger Games’ films every November.”
Production for “Insurgent” begins this spring in Atlanta with “Red” director Robert Schwentke, who was selected after “Divergent” director Neil Burger opted out due to his busy schedule.
While the sequel “Insurgent” is set to open March 2015, the third and final installment of the trilogy “Allegiant” will be split into two parts with the first film released in March 2016.
The studio’s vice chairman Michael Burns told Variety last month, “Assuming the movie works as we expect, we like the idea of a ‘Divergent’ film every March to complement our ‘Hunger Games’ films every November.”
Production for “Insurgent” begins this spring in Atlanta with “Red” director Robert Schwentke, who was selected after “Divergent” director Neil Burger opted out due to his busy schedule.
- 4/11/2014
- GossipCenter
Output deal covers distribution of Summit label films in Germany and Austria.
Lionsgate has secured an expanded multi-year output agreement with Tele München Group (Tmg) covering the distribution of its Summit label films in Germany and Austria in all media.
The expanded agreement was negotiated in Berlin and closed ahead of the release of Summit’s action adventure film Divergent in Germany and Austria on April 10.
The renewed deal will include other tentpole titles such as The Last Witch Hunter, starring Vin Diesel; Gods of Egypt, director Alex Proyas’ epic re-envisioning of mythical ancient Egypt; as well as the sequel to last year’s Now You See Me, which grossed more than $350m at the worldwide box office.
“Having been an early investor in Lionsgate when Jon Feltheimer and Michael Burns re-launched the company in 1999, I am pleased that our strong and long-standing relationships with both Summit and Lionsgate have now come full circle,” said Tmg Chairman...
Lionsgate has secured an expanded multi-year output agreement with Tele München Group (Tmg) covering the distribution of its Summit label films in Germany and Austria in all media.
The expanded agreement was negotiated in Berlin and closed ahead of the release of Summit’s action adventure film Divergent in Germany and Austria on April 10.
The renewed deal will include other tentpole titles such as The Last Witch Hunter, starring Vin Diesel; Gods of Egypt, director Alex Proyas’ epic re-envisioning of mythical ancient Egypt; as well as the sequel to last year’s Now You See Me, which grossed more than $350m at the worldwide box office.
“Having been an early investor in Lionsgate when Jon Feltheimer and Michael Burns re-launched the company in 1999, I am pleased that our strong and long-standing relationships with both Summit and Lionsgate have now come full circle,” said Tmg Chairman...
- 4/3/2014
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
The production chief becomes co-president of Lionsgate’s Motion Picture Group and has signed a new long-term contract.
Feig moved over with Motion Picture Group co-chairmen Patrick Wachsberger and Rob Friedman two years ago when Lionsgate acquired Summit Entertainment.
He oversees development and production on both Lionsgate and Summit films and since his tenure began 11 years ago at Summit he has overseen a production slate that has generated more than $8bn worldwide, $2.3bn of which came in 2013.
He will continue to work with and report to Friedman and Wachsberger and will work closely with co-president and co-coo Steve Beeks on business operations at the Motion Picture Group.
“Erik has assembled a tremendous production slate over the past two years, and he will be a critical, innovative and disruptive part of our future as we continue to evolve as a next generation global content leader,” said Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer.
“Erik has established a phenomenal track record during...
Feig moved over with Motion Picture Group co-chairmen Patrick Wachsberger and Rob Friedman two years ago when Lionsgate acquired Summit Entertainment.
He oversees development and production on both Lionsgate and Summit films and since his tenure began 11 years ago at Summit he has overseen a production slate that has generated more than $8bn worldwide, $2.3bn of which came in 2013.
He will continue to work with and report to Friedman and Wachsberger and will work closely with co-president and co-coo Steve Beeks on business operations at the Motion Picture Group.
“Erik has assembled a tremendous production slate over the past two years, and he will be a critical, innovative and disruptive part of our future as we continue to evolve as a next generation global content leader,” said Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer.
“Erik has established a phenomenal track record during...
- 2/25/2014
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
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