Photo: Coachella This April was the annual Coachella Valley Music and Art Festival, more commonly known as Coachella. Hosted on over 600 acres in Indio, California, the festival has grossed hundreds of millions of dollars, attracts hundreds of thousands of fans, and features the most popular musical artists. But before purchasing a ticket for next year, I think it would be beneficial to go through some of Coachella’s controversial qualities. Related article: Oscar-nominated - Exclusive: 'Dune' Full Commentary, Reactions, Making Of - Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya, Oscar Isaac Related article: Oscar-nominated - 'House of Gucci' Full Commentary & Behind the Scenes - Lady Gaga, Adam Driver, Jared Leto, Al Pacino Related article: Oscar-nominated - 'Belfast' Full Commentary & BTS - Jamie Dornan, Caitriona Balfe, Judi Dench Related article: Oscar-nominated - 'West Side Story' Full Commentary - Rita Moreno, Steven Spielberg, Rachel Zegler Related article: Oscar-nominated...
- 4/22/2022
- by Z Murphy
- Hollywood Insider - Substance & Meaningful Entertainment
Billionaire Philip Anschutz, founder of sports and entertainment giant Aeg, has reached an agreement to sell his stake in the Los Angeles Lakers to the owners of the Los Angeles Dodgers, according to multiple people familiar with the deal.
Anschutz’s 27% stake will be acquired by Dodgers owners Mark Walter and Todd Boehly, according to sources who were granted anonymity because the proposed sale hasn’t been approved by the NBA Board of Governors. The news was first reported June 25 by Variety‘s sibling sports news brand Sportico.
Aeg Chief Executive Officer Dan Beckerman in an interview said the proposed transaction “is part of some financial planning and redeployment of capital to other Aeg projects and growth initiatives,” specifically mentioning venues, real estate, ticketing and live entertainment projects around the globe.
The plan is “expanding business lines and geography,” Beckerman said, declining to address how much the buyer has agreed...
Anschutz’s 27% stake will be acquired by Dodgers owners Mark Walter and Todd Boehly, according to sources who were granted anonymity because the proposed sale hasn’t been approved by the NBA Board of Governors. The news was first reported June 25 by Variety‘s sibling sports news brand Sportico.
Aeg Chief Executive Officer Dan Beckerman in an interview said the proposed transaction “is part of some financial planning and redeployment of capital to other Aeg projects and growth initiatives,” specifically mentioning venues, real estate, ticketing and live entertainment projects around the globe.
The plan is “expanding business lines and geography,” Beckerman said, declining to address how much the buyer has agreed...
- 6/26/2021
- by Scott Soshnick and Eben Novy-Williams
- Variety Film + TV
Clive Cussler, the bestselling author whose novels Raise the Titanic! and, much to his greater disappointment, Sahara, were made into movies, died Monday at his home in Scottsdale, Az. He was 88.
His death was announced by his wife, Janet Horvath, on the author’s official Twitter page. No cause of death was given.
“It is with a heavy heart that I share the sad news that my husband Clive passed away Mon.,” Horvath wrote. “It has been a privilege to share in his life. I want to thank you his fans & friends for all the support. He was the kindest most gentle man I ever met.I know, his adventures will continue.”
Although he wrote more than 80 books — with a specialty in action, adventure and undersea stories — Cussler is best known in Hollywood for the two novels that didn’t make particularly good movies. The 2005 film Sahara starring Matthew McConaughey...
His death was announced by his wife, Janet Horvath, on the author’s official Twitter page. No cause of death was given.
“It is with a heavy heart that I share the sad news that my husband Clive passed away Mon.,” Horvath wrote. “It has been a privilege to share in his life. I want to thank you his fans & friends for all the support. He was the kindest most gentle man I ever met.I know, his adventures will continue.”
Although he wrote more than 80 books — with a specialty in action, adventure and undersea stories — Cussler is best known in Hollywood for the two novels that didn’t make particularly good movies. The 2005 film Sahara starring Matthew McConaughey...
- 2/26/2020
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
There seems to be a bit of confusion over whether Coachella is canceled after the phrase “Coachella canceled” began trending on Twitter. For those who may be in doubt, Coachella 2019 is definitely still happening. However, many are “canceling” their support for the Southern California music festival because of the man behind it. Who is Philip Anschutz? Some may assume that those behind Coachella would be freedom loving hippies, considering the typical themes, fashions and goings-on each year at the music festival but that is not the case. Instead, Coachella is put on each year by Goldenvoice, a company that […]
The post Is Coachella 2019 canceled? Debate over ‘homophobia’ sparks confusion appeared first on Monsters and Critics.
The post Is Coachella 2019 canceled? Debate over ‘homophobia’ sparks confusion appeared first on Monsters and Critics.
- 2/6/2019
- by Shaunee Flowers
- Monsters and Critics
Bill Kristol is beefing up The Bulwark, the once sleepy conservative news aggregator site of his nonprofit, the “Defending Democracy Together Institute.”
Kristol, who will serve as editor-at-large of the operation has hired former Weekly Standard employees who spent the holiday season in the wilderness after their former parent company, Clarity Media Group, abruptly shuttered the organization last month.
“On Monday, TheBulwark.com will transform from an aggregator of news and opinion from a right-wing bent into an website that provides original opinion items, analysis, and reporting,” Jim Swift, a former deputy online editor of the Weekly Standard who is now with The Bulwark, told TheWrap.
Also Read: Trump Mocks Closure of 'Never Had a Clue' Bill Kristol's The Weekly Standard: 'May It Rest in Peace!'
Radio host and MSNBC contributor Charlie Sykes has been tapped as the site’s new editor-in-chief and will be joined by former Weekly...
Kristol, who will serve as editor-at-large of the operation has hired former Weekly Standard employees who spent the holiday season in the wilderness after their former parent company, Clarity Media Group, abruptly shuttered the organization last month.
“On Monday, TheBulwark.com will transform from an aggregator of news and opinion from a right-wing bent into an website that provides original opinion items, analysis, and reporting,” Jim Swift, a former deputy online editor of the Weekly Standard who is now with The Bulwark, told TheWrap.
Also Read: Trump Mocks Closure of 'Never Had a Clue' Bill Kristol's The Weekly Standard: 'May It Rest in Peace!'
Radio host and MSNBC contributor Charlie Sykes has been tapped as the site’s new editor-in-chief and will be joined by former Weekly...
- 1/4/2019
- by Jon Levine
- The Wrap
The Weekly Standard magazine, one of cable news’ trustiest suppliers of traditional conservative voices, is shuttering. Publisher Clarity Media Group announced the closing this morning, drawing the ire of high-profile staffers and the disappointment of readers who stayed loyal to the 23-year-old publication throughout its recent never-Trump era.
The final print edition will be published Dec. 17.
While praising the magazine’s “dedicated and talented staff,” Clarity CEO Ryan McKibben said in a statement that the Weekly Standard “has been hampered by many of the same challenges that countless other magazines and newspapers across the country have been wrestling with,” and that despite “investing significant resources into the publication, the financial performance of the publication over the last five years — with double-digit declines in its subscriber base all but one year since 2013 — made it clear that a decision had to be made.”
The decision didn’t sit well with John Podhoretz,...
The final print edition will be published Dec. 17.
While praising the magazine’s “dedicated and talented staff,” Clarity CEO Ryan McKibben said in a statement that the Weekly Standard “has been hampered by many of the same challenges that countless other magazines and newspapers across the country have been wrestling with,” and that despite “investing significant resources into the publication, the financial performance of the publication over the last five years — with double-digit declines in its subscriber base all but one year since 2013 — made it clear that a decision had to be made.”
The decision didn’t sit well with John Podhoretz,...
- 12/14/2018
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Teacher story “Ms. Bixby’s Last Day” is in development as a feature film with Gunpowder & Sky and Walden Media.
Gunpowder & Sky announced Thursday that it has acquired the rights to the novel “Ms. Bixby’s Last Day,” written by John David Anderson. The adapted script has been penned by the writing team of Linsey Stewart and Dane Clark.
“I don’t have a sentimental bone in my body, yet we all remember teachers — who have had an impact on us. Ms. Bixby is an homage to those teachers who make our family, school and life feel okay,” said Van Toffler, CEO of Gunpowder & Sky. “Walden Media has a long tradition of producing great adaptations of children’s books such as ‘Wonder’ and ‘The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe,’ so we knew they were the perfect partner for this story.”
The story centers on a trio of students...
Gunpowder & Sky announced Thursday that it has acquired the rights to the novel “Ms. Bixby’s Last Day,” written by John David Anderson. The adapted script has been penned by the writing team of Linsey Stewart and Dane Clark.
“I don’t have a sentimental bone in my body, yet we all remember teachers — who have had an impact on us. Ms. Bixby is an homage to those teachers who make our family, school and life feel okay,” said Van Toffler, CEO of Gunpowder & Sky. “Walden Media has a long tradition of producing great adaptations of children’s books such as ‘Wonder’ and ‘The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe,’ so we knew they were the perfect partner for this story.”
The story centers on a trio of students...
- 11/29/2018
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Sharon Osbourne has penned a scathing open letter to Philip Anschutz, founder of concert promoter Aeg, after her husband, Ozzy Osbourne, dropped his antitrust lawsuit against the company. The filing claimed that Aeg had a requirement that if Ozzy were to play the O2 Arena in London, that he must also play the Staples Center in Los Angeles; Osbourne said he preferred to play the Forum, operated by Aeg’s competitor, Madison Square Garden Entertainment.
Although Aeg claimed a “victory” in their statement about the dismissal of the lawsuit, which...
Although Aeg claimed a “victory” in their statement about the dismissal of the lawsuit, which...
- 9/25/2018
- by Kory Grow
- Rollingstone.com
On Wednesday, April 11, the 2018 Jeffrey Fashion Cares event raised nearly $800,000 to benefit the work of the Elton John AIDS Foundation (Ejaf), the Hetrick-Martin Institute, and Lambda Legal through a spectacular fashion event at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum.
Judith Light, Jeffrey Kalinksky at Jeffrey Fashion Cares
Credit/Copyright: Rommel Demano/Bfa.com
Hosted by Emmy and Tony Award-winning actress and human rights activist Judith Light, the event paid tribute to Staff Sergeant Catherine Schmid, a 12-year U.S. Army veteran and a key plaintiff in the lawsuit challenging the ban against transgender individuals serving in the military. Staff Sergeant Schmid received the Jeffrey Fashion Cares Community Leadership Award on behalf of the all the brave plaintiffs contesting the ban and for the continued movement to protect the rights of Lgbt people.
The event was attended by Diane von Furstenberg, Judith Light, Serayah, J. Alexander, Sean O’Pry, Antoni Porowski,...
Judith Light, Jeffrey Kalinksky at Jeffrey Fashion Cares
Credit/Copyright: Rommel Demano/Bfa.com
Hosted by Emmy and Tony Award-winning actress and human rights activist Judith Light, the event paid tribute to Staff Sergeant Catherine Schmid, a 12-year U.S. Army veteran and a key plaintiff in the lawsuit challenging the ban against transgender individuals serving in the military. Staff Sergeant Schmid received the Jeffrey Fashion Cares Community Leadership Award on behalf of the all the brave plaintiffs contesting the ban and for the continued movement to protect the rights of Lgbt people.
The event was attended by Diane von Furstenberg, Judith Light, Serayah, J. Alexander, Sean O’Pry, Antoni Porowski,...
- 5/10/2018
- Look to the Stars
The Elton John AIDS Foundation (Ejaf) has announced that Philip Anschutz, Chairman of Aeg, has donated $1 million dollars to support Ejaf’s Lgbt Fund.
The Fund, a $10m public-private partnership with the U.S. Government’s President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (Pepfar) initiative, tackles the stigma, discrimination and violence that prevents Lgbt people in Sub-Saharan Africa from accessing the health and HIV services they need.
The Lgbt Fund supports both deep engagement in select countries as well as rapid response grants, which are distributed to grassroots organizations to respond to emergencies facing Lgbt people across the continent. To date, the Fund has already helped nearly 23,000 people in 20 countries, most of which criminalize same-sex relations. Through these grants, 6,500 Lgbt people have received an HIV test, and 100 grassroots organizations have been able to continue providing HIV treatment, human rights protection, emergency shelter, and legal services to Lgbt people facing barriers to treatment and care.
The Fund, a $10m public-private partnership with the U.S. Government’s President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (Pepfar) initiative, tackles the stigma, discrimination and violence that prevents Lgbt people in Sub-Saharan Africa from accessing the health and HIV services they need.
The Lgbt Fund supports both deep engagement in select countries as well as rapid response grants, which are distributed to grassroots organizations to respond to emergencies facing Lgbt people across the continent. To date, the Fund has already helped nearly 23,000 people in 20 countries, most of which criminalize same-sex relations. Through these grants, 6,500 Lgbt people have received an HIV test, and 100 grassroots organizations have been able to continue providing HIV treatment, human rights protection, emergency shelter, and legal services to Lgbt people facing barriers to treatment and care.
- 4/16/2018
- Look to the Stars
Tennis icons and equal rights champions, Serena and Venus Williams have joined the Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative (Bjkli) advisory board, it was announced today.
In addition to their success on the tennis court, where they’ve captured a combined 30 Grand Slam singles titles, along with 14 Grand Slam doubles titles, and 4 Olympic gold medals each, the Williams sisters are strong advocates for equal prize money in the sport. They are also accomplished businesswomen and dedicated philanthropists. In 2016, Serena and Venus teamed up to establish The Williams Sisters Fund, which seeks to support various philanthropic efforts. Their first project, The Yetunde Price Resource Center, was created in honor of their late sister, Yetunde Price.
Billie Jean King and the Williams sisters first met at a World TeamTennis clinic in Long Beach, California when Serena and Venus were young girls. They also worked together on the court when King was the Captain...
In addition to their success on the tennis court, where they’ve captured a combined 30 Grand Slam singles titles, along with 14 Grand Slam doubles titles, and 4 Olympic gold medals each, the Williams sisters are strong advocates for equal prize money in the sport. They are also accomplished businesswomen and dedicated philanthropists. In 2016, Serena and Venus teamed up to establish The Williams Sisters Fund, which seeks to support various philanthropic efforts. Their first project, The Yetunde Price Resource Center, was created in honor of their late sister, Yetunde Price.
Billie Jean King and the Williams sisters first met at a World TeamTennis clinic in Long Beach, California when Serena and Venus were young girls. They also worked together on the court when King was the Captain...
- 4/12/2018
- Look to the Stars
Cineworld shareholders have approved the UK exhibition chain's $3.6B deal to acquire Regal Cinemas, the circuit controlled by Philip Anschutz. The mega-merger will create the world's second largest cinema group after AMC, operating in 10 countries with 9,542 screens across the U.S. and Europe. Cineworld, which is part owned by Israel's Greidinger family, announced that 87% of shareholders approved the deal, which is now expected to close next month. The move came after…...
- 2/2/2018
- Deadline
In a move that was presaged last week, UK exhibition chain Cineworld is to acquire Regal Cinemas, the circuit controlled by Philip Anschutz. The $3.6B deal will create the world's second largest cinema group after AMC, operating in 10 countries with 9,542 screens across the U.S. and Europe. Shares in Cineworld dipped 3.75% in early-morning London trading before beginning a rebound. The agreement also includes a "go shop period," which will allow Regal to actively solicit…...
- 12/5/2017
- Deadline
Updated with Regal statement: Shares in Regal Cinemas, the major exhibition circuit controlled by Philip Anschutz, spiked more than 10% this afternoon with the company confirming it is being pursued by UK theatre chain Cineworld. Reuters had the initial report on the discussions. Late this afternoon, Regal put out a statement that an all-cash offer of $23 a share (more than $3 higher than today’s closing price) was on the table. “No agreement has been reached, and there…...
- 11/28/2017
- Deadline
Shares of Regal Entertainment Group surged 8 percent Tuesday after reports surfaced that the movie theater chain controlled by Philip Anschutz was in talks to merge with the Cineworld Group, which operates more than 2,000 screens in Europe.
Regal, which operates more than 7,300 screens primarily stateside, previously sought a merger partner in 2014, though one did not emerge. A combined Regal-Cineworld would be better equipped to compete with AMC Entertainment, the worldwide leader operated by the Dalian Wanda Group out of China.
Shares of Regal have risen for six days straight, ending trading on Tuesday at $19.64, up 23 percent...
Regal, which operates more than 7,300 screens primarily stateside, previously sought a merger partner in 2014, though one did not emerge. A combined Regal-Cineworld would be better equipped to compete with AMC Entertainment, the worldwide leader operated by the Dalian Wanda Group out of China.
Shares of Regal have risen for six days straight, ending trading on Tuesday at $19.64, up 23 percent...
- 11/28/2017
- by Paul Bond
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Regal Entertainment’s share price fell about 5.3% in post-market trading today after the No. 1 exhibition chain disclosed that its parent, the Anschutz Corp., will unload 13 million publicly traded Class A shares in a secondary offering. The sale will leave entrepreneur Philip Anschutz still in charge of the chain with 74% of the votes. Although his Class A stock holdings will fall to 37 million shares, or 27.8% of the total, he owns all of the Class B shares that come…...
- 8/2/2016
- Deadline
Local news site Examiner.com has shuttered operations and will go offline within the week. The contributor-driven site, backed by Denver billionaire Philip Anschutz and the Anschutz Entertainment Group, stopped publishing new stories at the beginning of the month. Owners will pull it down on July 10, according to the Denver Post. “The media landscape and media consumption, it’s transformed dramatically,” said Justin Jimenez, Axs.com spokesman and previous senior director of content marketing at Examiner.com. “It wasn’t an easy decision. The Examiner.com experience has been a very positive one.” Also Read: Dallas Police Ambush: How TV...
- 7/8/2016
- by Reid Nakamura
- The Wrap
This story first appeared in the Aug. 22 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Paired on the wall of Frank Smith's Walden Media office in Beverly Hills are posters for Blow, the Johnny Depp cocaine thriller, and family stalwart The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. They are fitting choices for the man whom conservative billionaire Philip Anschutz has entrusted with taking Anschutz Film Group and its Walden label in a distinctly new direction. Known for family-values fare, Walden now wants to be a major studio co-financier of a diverse film slate — including
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- 8/15/2014
- by Pamela McClintock
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The wording of Aeg’s release about the restructuring is bitter cold: The company “has ended its relationship with Randy Phillips, the CEO of Aeg Live, and is restructuring the management of that live entertainment subsidiary” it said. There’s no word of thanks — or anything about what happened, or will happen, with Phillips, who joined Aeg Live in 2002 and last year signed a five-year contract. The announcement says that Jay Marciano, who was COO, is now chairman and will oversee a team in La of Paul Tollett, John Meglen, Shawn Trell and Rick Mueller. “I look forward to my greater involvement with the enormously talented Aeg Live Team in continuing to invest and grow one of Aeg’s most important divisions,” Marciano says. Billboard’s industry specialist Ray Waddell reports that Aeg is the world’s No. 2 concert promoter, behind Live Nation, and has grossed $1.1B in ticket sales...
- 11/25/2013
- by DAVID LIEBERMAN, Financial Editor
- Deadline TV
Some box-office analysts are in the midst of figuring out what went wrong with The Fifth Estate. There's probably far fewer people who are still thinking about the disappointment of John Carter. Then there's Sahara, the 2005 film starring Matthew McConaughey and Penelope Cruz. It's been eight years since the $130 million film made back about half of that in domestic gross, but that doesn't mean the autopsy is quite over with. After the film came out, there was an epic amount of litigation between novelist Clive Cussler and Philip Anschutz's Crusader Entertainment. There was a 14-week trial
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- 10/24/2013
- by Eriq Gardner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Anschutz Film Group is restructuring its film and television activities -- notably "Narnia" production company Walden Media -- and will now focus on projects submitted by a third partner, the company said Thursday. The shakeup will also impact Walden's sister company Bristol Bay Productions, which produced "Ray." The company said it will continue to focus on finding "uplifting" and "inspiring" projects that are family oriented, much as it traditionally has done with projects like "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" and "Holes." Also read: Aeg Chairman Philip Anschutz Abandons Plans to Sell...
- 8/1/2013
- by Brent Lang
- The Wrap
Exclusive: The studio specializing in children’s fare and backed by Philip Anschutz’s Anschutz Film Group is laying off over a dozen employees across multiple departments, I’m told, as Walden Media restructures. That’s a significant number for a company that only has about 50 staffers on the payroll. Walden, whose hits include the Chronicles Of Narnia films, Bridge To Terabithia, and Charlotte’s Web, is axing development of original content and will instead focus on co-financing studio-submitted and third party-produced film and TV projects. Some of the layoffs are effective immediately and others will roll out in the next few weeks. Here’s a statement from Walden Media on the staffing cuts and new content focus: Anschutz Film Group (Walden Media and Bristol Bay Productions) will immediately restructure its film and television co-financing activities to focus primarily on projects submitted and produced by third parties. The company will...
- 8/1/2013
- by JEN YAMATO
- Deadline TV
It’s no secret that recently exited Aeg heavyweight Tim Leiweke is a hockey guy. He always was the La Kings’ biggest supporter within the company that owns the Stanley Cup champs. But with today’s news that the exec is headed to Toronto to run Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, he might be walking into serious culture shock. The man who for more than a decade led Aeg — the behemoth that turned the ho-hum area around La’s Convention Center into a world-class entertainment and sports hotbed — is in for more media and fan scrutiny that he ever imagined. Related: Philip Anschutz Decides To Hang On To Aeg Leiweke, whose abrupt and unceremonious exit from Aeg last month was billed as “by mutual agreement,” will take over one of Canadian sports’ more high-profile jobs. Mlse not only runs the Toronto Maple Leafs — the wildly popular NHL franchise that’s in...
- 4/26/2013
- by ERIK PEDERSEN
- Deadline TV
In a rare interview granted to the Los Angeles Times on Thursday -- his first since 1988 -- reclusive Denver-based billionaire Philip Anschutz said he remains interested in bringing a NFL team to L.A. and said he is “optimistic” that it eventually would become a reality. However, the 73-year-old chairman of Aeg also said the league would have to be an “active party” to any deal. “We’re not going to make the NFL happen by ourselves,” Anschutz told the Times. “The NFL is a player here. They have to decide what they want to do. “We’re open for
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- 3/14/2013
- by Alex Ben Block
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Philip Anschutz, the billionaire who controls Anschutz Entertainment Group, has canceled plans to sell the company, which includes such properties as the Los Angeles Staples Center, the Los Angeles Kings hockey team and London's O2 arena. Anschutz said Thursday that the proposed sale, news of which broke in September, was put on ice because an acceptable buyer and offer had not been found. Also read: Anschutz Considers Sale of L.A. Kings, Staples Center Owner Aeg "From the very beginning of the sales process, we have made it clear to our employees and partners...
- 3/14/2013
- by Tim Kenneally
- The Wrap
Philip Anschutz has taken sports and entertainment powerhouse Aeg off the market and announced a switch in leadership. CEO Tim Leiweke is exiting the company "by mutual agreement," and its new president is Dan Beckerman, who moves up from CFO and COO. “From the very beginning of the sales process, we have made it clear to our employees and partners throughout the world that unless the right buyer came forward with a transaction on acceptable terms, we would not sell the company,” Anschutz said in a statement Thursday from his Denver headquarters. Aeg also announced several other personnel moves Wednesday.
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- 3/14/2013
- by Alex Ben Block
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
So much for Anschutz’s dream to make a $10B or so deal that could revamp the live entertainment business. The Anschutz Company just pulled the plug on the auction process that began in September to sell its sprawling sports and entertainment unit Anschutz Entertainment Group that has its hands in more than 100 global arenas and stadiums, numerous sports teams worldwide and is No. 2 in the world behind Live Nation in live concert promotions. Philip Anschutz “will resume a more active role” especially with its “world-wide strategy and operations,” the company says. And Tim Leiweke is leaving as CEO, the job he has held since 1996, to be replaced by Dan Beckerman, who was COO and CFO. The new chief says that “Priority projects going forward include the development of Farmers Field adjacent to our L.A. Live campus and the pursuit of our plan to bring the NFL back to Los Angeles,...
- 3/14/2013
- by DAVID LIEBERMAN, Executive Editor
- Deadline TV
This is the second round of bidding for Philip Anschutz’s collection of live entertainment businesses. But nobody outside of the Aeg process seems certain about who’s participating. It’s widely believed that Blackstone Advisory Group, which is handling the auction, is weighing offers from billionaire Ron Burkle in a partnership with Patrick Soon-Shiong and Goldman Sachs, from Guggenheim Partners, and from Colony Capital with the Qatar Sovereign Fund. The Financial Times says that Westfield shopping center group and OneWest Bank’s Steven Mnuchin also are in. But Billboard’s veteran reporter Ray Waddell, who specializes in the live entertainment business, reports that he also hears that “bidders have not partnered up and yet another round of bids is still to come, and no short-list exists yet.” Last month Waddell interviewed Aeg chief Tim Leiweke who said that the process had dragged out because “more people were interested than we ever imagined.
- 2/7/2013
- by DAVID LIEBERMAN, Executive Editor
- Deadline TV
The seemingly never-ending legal battle between novelist Clive Cussler and Philip Anschutz's Crusader Entertainment over the 2005 box office bomb Sahara has had many chapters without any dénouement. In late December, a California appeals court attempted to write one. At issue is who actually won the legal case. At stake was some $20 million in attorney fees. Even before Sahara was released in 2005 to financial losses estimated at $80 million, the two sides were fighting.
In 2004, Cussler filed a lawsuit claiming more than $100 million in damages from
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In 2004, Cussler filed a lawsuit claiming more than $100 million in damages from
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- 1/2/2013
- by Eriq Gardner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
It’s the beginning of the beginning of the auction process for billionaire Philip Anschutz’ live entertainment business. The company is circulating a 25-page information memorandum that describes the operations being offered but without financial data, Reuters reports. Those who sign non-disclosure agreements should be able to see more details, including confidential numbers, by the end of the month. Anschutz is thinking big: bidders will have to offer about $10B or more just to make it to a second round, the wire service says citing unnamed sources. Anschutz was impressed by the recent $2.15B deal to sell the Los Angeles Dodgers to Guggenheim Partners. He hired the bankers who handled the arrangements for Frank McCourt — Blackstone Advisory Group — to also manage the Aeg auction which includes stakes in sports teams including the Los Angeles Lakers and the Kings, as well as real estate holdings. Guggenheim Partners and billionaire Patrick Soon-Shiong are said to be interested.
- 10/9/2012
- by DAVID LIEBERMAN, Executive Editor
- Deadline TV
This piece comes to us courtesy of The Hechinger Report.
Doreen Diaz left the red carpet movie premiere of “Won’t Back Down” in New York City last week feeling encouraged.
But then the 47-year-old mom, a figure in the unfolding education movement that “inspired” the feature film, headed back to the tiny desert city of Adelanto, Calif., and her tract home near Desert Trails Elementary School. That’s where the real battle over the so-called “parent trigger” law drags on, with no tidy Hollywood ending in sight.
“The movie makes it look a lot easier than it really is,” said Diaz, who started drumming up support to overhaul her local public school more than a year ago. “It definitely didn’t happen by just one mom wanting change.”
Desert Trails, where 100 percent of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunches, ranks in the bottom third of California schools with...
Doreen Diaz left the red carpet movie premiere of “Won’t Back Down” in New York City last week feeling encouraged.
But then the 47-year-old mom, a figure in the unfolding education movement that “inspired” the feature film, headed back to the tiny desert city of Adelanto, Calif., and her tract home near Desert Trails Elementary School. That’s where the real battle over the so-called “parent trigger” law drags on, with no tidy Hollywood ending in sight.
“The movie makes it look a lot easier than it really is,” said Diaz, who started drumming up support to overhaul her local public school more than a year ago. “It definitely didn’t happen by just one mom wanting change.”
Desert Trails, where 100 percent of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunches, ranks in the bottom third of California schools with...
- 10/3/2012
- Huffington Post
Deadline’s Executive Editor David Lieberman talks with host David Bloom in Episode 2 of Deadline Big Media. Lieberman discusses whether Mel Karmazin will stay with satellite broadcaster Sirius Xm after Liberty Media completes its acquisition; what impact James Murdoch might have on News Corp’s U.S. TV operations if he takes over, as rumored; and who might be interested in spending up to $7 billion to buy the live-entertainment and sports powerhouse Aeg from Denver billionaire Phil Anschutz.
Deadline Big Media Episode 2 (MP3 format)
Deadline Big Media Episode 2 (M4A format)
(The M4A version of this podcast is designed to run on any device using Apple’s iTunes software, and includes enhanced graphics and links to stories and other resources. The MP3 version of this podcast is designed to play on virtually any device capable of playing digital audio.)...
Deadline Big Media Episode 2 (MP3 format)
Deadline Big Media Episode 2 (M4A format)
(The M4A version of this podcast is designed to run on any device using Apple’s iTunes software, and includes enhanced graphics and links to stories and other resources. The MP3 version of this podcast is designed to play on virtually any device capable of playing digital audio.)...
- 9/24/2012
- by David Lieberman
- Deadline Film + TV
Don’t count Philip Anschutz out as a potential owner of an NFL franchise in Los Angeles. Contrary to what some speculate, I’m told that the big reason the reclusive billionaire decided to put his Aeg live entertainment business on the block is because it could provide him with the cash, and flexibility, to land a football team and stadium that would provide a legacy for him and his family — somewhat like Jerry Jones’ with the Dallas Cowboys. Anschutz would like to back away from live entertainment and ticketing. It’s a tough business that’s become tougher than ever as Live Nation and its Ticketmaster subsidiary have become more dominant. And, like a lot of people, Anschutz was impressed by the recent $2.15B deal to sell the Los Angeles Dodgers to Guggenheim Partners. It demonstrated just how lucrative it can be to own a trophy sports property in La.
- 9/19/2012
- by DAVID LIEBERMAN, Executive Editor
- Deadline TV
Update, Wednesday Am: The company has put out a release confirming its intention to sell (posted below last night’s original story) and that it has hired Blackstone Advisory Partners — the firm that recently guided the sale of the Los Angeles Dodgers — to help it find a buyer. Anschutz Co ended its announcement with the carrot of all carrots, saying any new owner “will have the historic opportunity to benefit from Aeg’s strategy to reunite Los Angeles with the NFL, as Aeg moves forward with its efforts to bring an NFL franchise to Farmers Field to be built at L.A. Live”. Previous, Tuesday Pm: Philip Anschutz‘s sprawling sports and entertainment unit Anschutz Entertainment Group — its website says it is made up of more than 50 divisions — has its hands in more than 100 global arenas and stadiums, numerous sports teams worldwide and is No. 2 in the world behind Live Nation in live concert promotions.
- 9/19/2012
- by THE DEADLINE TEAM
- Deadline TV
Anschutz Entertainment Group is for sale. The unit of Anschutz Corp., primarily an energy conglomerate owned by billionaire Philip Anschutz, includes the Coachella music festival, the Los Angeles Kings hockey team, part of the L.A. Lakers basketball team and Aeg Live, a concert-promotions business. Aeg also includes the Staples Center in L.A., the O2 arena in London and the L.A. Galaxy soccer team. Aeg is also seeking approval to build a stadium that would ultimately be home to an NFL team. Story: Aeg Live CEO Randy Phillips Unloads Beverly Hills Residence for $15.5 Million The
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- 9/18/2012
- by Paul Bond
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Washington -- The most controversial thing to happen at the Democratic National Convention this week may end up being a movie screening.
On Monday afternoon, a Hollywood film called "Won't Back Down" -- which opens in theaters nationwide on Sept. 28 -- will be shown to a select crowd of convention-goers in Charlotte, N.C., just as it was one week prior at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla.
But unlike Tampa, where the promoters had little concern about making waves with the party establishment and had no trouble when they ran the idea past the Republican National Committee, the request for a Charlotte screening went to the highest levels of the Obama administration, which passed the decision off to the Democratic National Committee, according to a source with knowledge of the chain of events. According to this source, Valerie Jarrett, Obama's close personal adviser, and David Plouffe, his top political adviser,...
On Monday afternoon, a Hollywood film called "Won't Back Down" -- which opens in theaters nationwide on Sept. 28 -- will be shown to a select crowd of convention-goers in Charlotte, N.C., just as it was one week prior at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla.
But unlike Tampa, where the promoters had little concern about making waves with the party establishment and had no trouble when they ran the idea past the Republican National Committee, the request for a Charlotte screening went to the highest levels of the Obama administration, which passed the decision off to the Democratic National Committee, according to a source with knowledge of the chain of events. According to this source, Valerie Jarrett, Obama's close personal adviser, and David Plouffe, his top political adviser,...
- 9/3/2012
- by Jon Ward
- Huffington Post
I'll preface this post by saying that it's likely that Any major newspaper in Oklahoma City would cover the Thunder with fawning exuberance, and I'll add that I'm no expert when it comes to the sort of coverage Okc's The Oklahoman has given to the city's basketball team. Still, it's worth noting that the paper has deep ties to the franchise, ties which eventually spread to Seattle and the rest of the NBA.
Earlier today, Sports Illustrated's Richard Deitsch tweeted the following, accompanied by the picture above: "There's only one story in Oklahoma City, according to the front of @TheOklahoman today."
Sure, it's a big story, and editors of The Oklahoman can put what they want on the front page. But did you know that the paper was founded by the Gaylord family, which grew it into a major media presence? And did you know that Edward Gaylord gave the...
Earlier today, Sports Illustrated's Richard Deitsch tweeted the following, accompanied by the picture above: "There's only one story in Oklahoma City, according to the front of @TheOklahoman today."
Sure, it's a big story, and editors of The Oklahoman can put what they want on the front page. But did you know that the paper was founded by the Gaylord family, which grew it into a major media presence? And did you know that Edward Gaylord gave the...
- 6/12/2012
- by Anthony Schneck
- Celebsology
All this time the NFL still doesn’t have a football team in the major TV market of Los Angeles. Now billionaire entrepreneur Philip Anschutz hasn’t given up on his plans to build a football stadium in Downtown La to lure an NFL team (or 2) back to town, according to Bloomberg. The prospects of his Aeg Worldwide proceeding with the long-discussed Farmers Stadium seemed to dim earlier this week when an investment team lead by former La Lakers’ star Magic Johnson bought the La Dodgers, Dodger Stadium and the surrounding parking lots. The Bloomberg report says Johnson and Guggenheim Partners Chief Executive Officer Mark Walter, whose company funded the Dodgers purchase, have spoken to the NFL about redeveloping part of the lots to build an NFL Stadium. Reportedly, there are also concerns within the NFL about the terms Aeg is proposing for Farmers Field Related: La Closer To NFL...
- 3/31/2012
- by THE DEADLINE TEAM
- Deadline TV
Does Trainspotting screenwriter John Hodge's play, Collaborators – about an author forced to work for Stalin – echo his own Hollywood nightmare? Not quite, he tells Xan Brooks
One of the upsides to being a writer is the ability to write yourself out of trouble, to conjure a last-gasp escape for the imperilled hero. A few years ago, John Hodge found himself bogged down in a film script about Joseph Stalin. The subject was too vast, too elusive, and he was getting nowhere fast. So he spun the screenplay into a stage play instead. Collaborators is his tale of artistic compromise born out of artistic compromise; his freewheeling response to the hell of the deadline. It also happens to be his most purely successful, critically lauded piece of writing since Trainspotting crash-landed in UK cinemas way back in 1996.
Hodge's stage debut is a portrait of the mentor and his muse, the tyrant and the artist.
One of the upsides to being a writer is the ability to write yourself out of trouble, to conjure a last-gasp escape for the imperilled hero. A few years ago, John Hodge found himself bogged down in a film script about Joseph Stalin. The subject was too vast, too elusive, and he was getting nowhere fast. So he spun the screenplay into a stage play instead. Collaborators is his tale of artistic compromise born out of artistic compromise; his freewheeling response to the hell of the deadline. It also happens to be his most purely successful, critically lauded piece of writing since Trainspotting crash-landed in UK cinemas way back in 1996.
Hodge's stage debut is a portrait of the mentor and his muse, the tyrant and the artist.
- 12/7/2011
- by Xan Brooks
- The Guardian - Film News
The long-running legal drama over the 2005 superflop "Sahara" has taken a surprising turn, with a Los Angeles judge ruling that author Clive Cussler must pay Philip Anschutz's Crusader Entertainment nearly $14 million in legal fees.
In a decision issued after a spirited four-hour hearing Monday, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge John Shook found that Cussler's contracts with Crusader to adapt his "Sahara" novel into a film required the losing party in litigation to pay the winner's attorneys fees. Shook ruled that Cussler was the loser based on a 2007 jury finding that Cussler owed Crusader $5 million in damages.
"The issue boils down to whether the fees requested are reasonable and necessary," Shook said.
The $13.9 million award is extremely high and reflects the cost of a prolonged and contentious legal battle between well-funded Hollywood adversaries.
"This entire ordeal has been very long, very trying and very expensive," said David Weil, CEO of Anschutz Film Group,...
In a decision issued after a spirited four-hour hearing Monday, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge John Shook found that Cussler's contracts with Crusader to adapt his "Sahara" novel into a film required the losing party in litigation to pay the winner's attorneys fees. Shook ruled that Cussler was the loser based on a 2007 jury finding that Cussler owed Crusader $5 million in damages.
"The issue boils down to whether the fees requested are reasonable and necessary," Shook said.
The $13.9 million award is extremely high and reflects the cost of a prolonged and contentious legal battle between well-funded Hollywood adversaries.
"This entire ordeal has been very long, very trying and very expensive," said David Weil, CEO of Anschutz Film Group,...
- 3/10/2009
- by By Matthew Belloni
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
In December of 2005, Disney's The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe became a box office sensation with a $65.5 million opening weekend en route to a $291.7 million domestic gross and nearly $750 million worldwide. Given the popularity of the first film, which sold piles of tickets thanks in part to Red State-friendly Christian themes, organized outreach via churches and Disney's expertise at delivering the family audience, this Friday's Narnia sequel Prince Caspian has an excellent shot to exceed its predecessor's opening weekend, becoming the biggest opener ever for Walden Media and billionaire financier Philip Anschutz.
- 5/12/2008
- by Steve Mason
- fantasymoguls.com
Phil Anschutz's Walden Media has tapped Charlotte's Web producer Jordan Kerner for a multiyear, first-look deal with the family-friendly company.
The deal gives Walden exclusive first-look rights to all feature projects by Kerner and his Kerner Entertainment Co., which will set up shop at the company's Century City office.
"We had a great time working with Jordan on 'Charlotte's Web' and have wanted to bring him into the fold for some time," Walden CEO Cary Granat said. "Having known him for many years, I've been truly impressed with his rise to become a preeminent producer of global event family films."
Walden partnered this year with 20th Century Fox to market family films through Fox Walden.
"Our partnership is a perfect match," Kerner said. "As we move forward in an uncertain world, it becomes even more important to produce films which explore important values that can have a lasting place in the hearts and minds of families around the world."
Kerner's credits include Snow Dogs and the Mighty Ducks trilogy.
The deal gives Walden exclusive first-look rights to all feature projects by Kerner and his Kerner Entertainment Co., which will set up shop at the company's Century City office.
"We had a great time working with Jordan on 'Charlotte's Web' and have wanted to bring him into the fold for some time," Walden CEO Cary Granat said. "Having known him for many years, I've been truly impressed with his rise to become a preeminent producer of global event family films."
Walden partnered this year with 20th Century Fox to market family films through Fox Walden.
"Our partnership is a perfect match," Kerner said. "As we move forward in an uncertain world, it becomes even more important to produce films which explore important values that can have a lasting place in the hearts and minds of families around the world."
Kerner's credits include Snow Dogs and the Mighty Ducks trilogy.
- 9/18/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Author Clive Cussler failed to deal fairly with Phillip Anschutz's Crusader Entertainment over the production of Sahara, a Los Angeles jury ruled Tuesday in ordering Cussler to pay $5 million in damages.
But the verdict was mixed, with jurors finding that Crusader was obligated to pay Cussler what could end up being $8.5 million for second-picture rights to another Dirk Pitt novel he sold to Anschutz's company. A later determination of the value of those rights could erase Anschutz's win.
After eight days of deliberations in the highly publicized trial, the jury unanimously awarded Crusader $2.5 million for past economic damages and $2.5 million for future economic damages. The jury found that Crusader honored its deal with Cussler but that Cussler "unfairly" interfered with the contract and harmed the film's boxoffice performance.
Outside the courtroom, lawyers for both sides spun the verdict in their clients' favor.
"This is a huge victory for Crusader," Crusader counsel Marvin Putnam of O'Melveny & Myers said of the verdict.
Factoring in the $5 million jury award to Crusader, Cussler's lead attorney Bert Fields said his client would walk away with about $3.5 million.
It was a "no harm, no foul" verdict, Fields said.
But the verdict was mixed, with jurors finding that Crusader was obligated to pay Cussler what could end up being $8.5 million for second-picture rights to another Dirk Pitt novel he sold to Anschutz's company. A later determination of the value of those rights could erase Anschutz's win.
After eight days of deliberations in the highly publicized trial, the jury unanimously awarded Crusader $2.5 million for past economic damages and $2.5 million for future economic damages. The jury found that Crusader honored its deal with Cussler but that Cussler "unfairly" interfered with the contract and harmed the film's boxoffice performance.
Outside the courtroom, lawyers for both sides spun the verdict in their clients' favor.
"This is a huge victory for Crusader," Crusader counsel Marvin Putnam of O'Melveny & Myers said of the verdict.
Factoring in the $5 million jury award to Crusader, Cussler's lead attorney Bert Fields said his client would walk away with about $3.5 million.
It was a "no harm, no foul" verdict, Fields said.
- 5/16/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Matthew McConaughey and Penelope Cruz have been accused of causing the $80 million budget for action film Sahara to double because of their vanity. The claims appear in legal documents released as part of a bitter court battle between Crusader Entertainment boss Philip Anschutz and Clive Cussler, author of Sahara. Cussler is currently suing Crusader, claiming it reneged on an agreement to give him creative control of the movie adaptation. The leaked document, obtained by the Los Angeles Times, shows $420,000 was spent on the movie's leading actors, including $105,000 on bottled water and $54,000 on a "facial disease specialist." Other expenses for the 2005 movie - which recorded losses of $105 million - included filming the $2 million crash of a vintage airplane in a 46-second sequence which never made it into the final cut.
- 4/18/2007
- WENN
Visitors to the drab downtown Los Angeles courtroom of Judge John Shook this week will be forgiven for becoming a tad starstruck. Sure, the case of Cussler v. Crusader Entertainment pits a well-known author, Clive Cussler, against billionaire Sahara producer Philip Anschutz with $100 million in damages potentially at stake.
But in a trial whose witness list includes actor Matthew McConaughey and former Paramount Pictures chief Sherry Lansing, the biggest name in the room might still be the plaintiff's 77-year old attorney. Bert Fields is the Clint Eastwood of entertainment lawyers, a multihyphenate, seen-it-all figure who is seemingly becoming more productive after a half-century of practicing law.
The rules of the profession don't seem to apply to Fields. Nearly all entertainment lawyers choose to specialize in dealmaking or litigation; Fields does both. Most litigators avoid conflicts of interest by representing either talent or studios; Fields straddles both worlds, having represented A-listers like Tom Cruise and nearly every major studio except the Walt Disney Co., which he famously coaxed into a $250 million settlement with its former studio chief Jeffrey Katzenberg. It's no secret among attorneys that most name-partner rainmakers delegate the bulk of their work, but Fields' partners at the Greenberg Glusker firm in Century City insist he's still first in the office each morning, personally drafting most documents with his name on them.
But in a trial whose witness list includes actor Matthew McConaughey and former Paramount Pictures chief Sherry Lansing, the biggest name in the room might still be the plaintiff's 77-year old attorney. Bert Fields is the Clint Eastwood of entertainment lawyers, a multihyphenate, seen-it-all figure who is seemingly becoming more productive after a half-century of practicing law.
The rules of the profession don't seem to apply to Fields. Nearly all entertainment lawyers choose to specialize in dealmaking or litigation; Fields does both. Most litigators avoid conflicts of interest by representing either talent or studios; Fields straddles both worlds, having represented A-listers like Tom Cruise and nearly every major studio except the Walt Disney Co., which he famously coaxed into a $250 million settlement with its former studio chief Jeffrey Katzenberg. It's no secret among attorneys that most name-partner rainmakers delegate the bulk of their work, but Fields' partners at the Greenberg Glusker firm in Century City insist he's still first in the office each morning, personally drafting most documents with his name on them.
Visitors to the drab downtown Los Angeles courtroom of Judge John Shook this week will be forgiven for becoming a tad starstruck. Sure, the case of Cussler v. Crusader Entertainment pits a well-known author, Clive Cussler, against billionaire "Sahara" producer Philip Anschutz with $100 million in damages potentially at stake.
But in a trial whose witness list includes actor Matthew McConaughey and former Paramount Pictures chief Sherry Lansing, the biggest name in the room might still be the plaintiff's 77-year old attorney. Bert Fields is the Clint Eastwood of entertainment lawyers, a multihyphenate, seen-it-all figure who is seemingly becoming more productive after a half-century of practicing law.
The rules of the profession don't seem to apply to Fields. Nearly all entertainment lawyers choose to specialize in dealmaking or litigation; Fields does both. Most litigators avoid conflicts of interest by representing either talent or studios; Fields straddles both worlds, having represented A-listers like Tom Cruise and nearly every major studio except the Walt Disney Co., which he famously coaxed into a $250 million settlement with its former studio chief Jeffrey Katzenberg. It's no secret among attorneys that most name-partner rainmakers delegate the bulk of their work, but Fields' partners at the Greenberg Glusker firm in Century City insist he's still first in the office each morning, personally drafting most documents with his name on them.
But in a trial whose witness list includes actor Matthew McConaughey and former Paramount Pictures chief Sherry Lansing, the biggest name in the room might still be the plaintiff's 77-year old attorney. Bert Fields is the Clint Eastwood of entertainment lawyers, a multihyphenate, seen-it-all figure who is seemingly becoming more productive after a half-century of practicing law.
The rules of the profession don't seem to apply to Fields. Nearly all entertainment lawyers choose to specialize in dealmaking or litigation; Fields does both. Most litigators avoid conflicts of interest by representing either talent or studios; Fields straddles both worlds, having represented A-listers like Tom Cruise and nearly every major studio except the Walt Disney Co., which he famously coaxed into a $250 million settlement with its former studio chief Jeffrey Katzenberg. It's no secret among attorneys that most name-partner rainmakers delegate the bulk of their work, but Fields' partners at the Greenberg Glusker firm in Century City insist he's still first in the office each morning, personally drafting most documents with his name on them.
Clive Cussler, the author of adventure novel Sahara and film producer Philip Anschutz are embroiled in a bitter court battle regarding the book's movie adaptation. Cussler is suing the film's makers for breach of contract, while producer Anschutz is counter suing Cussler for alleged blackmail and sabotage attempts against the film prior to its 2005 release. The movie, which starred Penelope Cruz and Matthew McConaughey, recorded losses of $105 million. Cussler believes his initial brief of "absolute control" over his book's big screen adaptation was compromised, which led to it becoming a box office flop. In a statement to a Los Angeles court, Cussler says, "They deceived me right from the beginning. They kept lying to me... and I just got fed up with it." However, Alan Rader, Anschutz's lawyer, believes Cussler's behavior was unacceptable and played a big part in the film's poor takings. He says, "It is the height of arrogance for Cussler to take $10 million to make a movie and then torpedo the franchise."...
- 12/12/2006
- WENN
Billionaire investor Philip Anschutz said he will retire from the board of directors of three companies, including Regal Entertainment Group, which he built into the world's largest chain of movie theaters. Anschutz, who boasts a net worth of $7.2 billion and ranks as one of the world's wealthiest people, according to Forbes magazine, also will retire from the boards of Qwest Communications International and Union Pacific Corp. According to a statement from Regal, Anschutz is quitting in order to focus his energies on his private enterprises. Those include Anschutz Entertainment Group, owner of the Staples Center, the Los Angeles Kings NHL team and 30% of the L.A. Lakers NBA team; Clarity Media Group, owner of newspapers that carry the Examiner name; and Walden Media, a producer of such movies as The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe, Holes and the upcoming live-action film Charlotte's Web.
Hopes are high for Walt Disney Pictures' The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe, both within the studio and throughout the Hollywood community. The film's success, which should be a slam-dunk considering the marketing muscle behind it and the overwhelming early praise, will be a bellwether for a must-have successful holiday season considering the travails the movie business has endured throughout the year. The only clouds on the weekend horizon are snowstorms forecast throughout the Northeast, which could put a damper on boxoffice returns. Co-produced by Philip Anschutz's Walden Media for a reported $150 million, Narnia could launch a megafranchise much in the same vein as Warner Bros. Pictures' Harry Potter series and New Line Cinema's The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Based on the fantasy tale from beloved author C.S. Lewis, the film chronicles the story of the four Pevensie siblings, who discover a parallel universe called Narnia.
- 12/8/2005
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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