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Category: Hollywood

  • North American box office crosses $11 billion mark for first time ever

    North American box office crosses $11 billion mark for first time ever

    MUMBAI: The North American box office crossed the $11 billion benchmark for the year on 29 December, 2015, making 2015 the highest-earning year at the North American box office in movie history, according to Rentrak.

    A wide assortment of movies brought enthusiastic patrons to movie theaters across the US throughout the year, giving the industry its biggest overall revenue in North American box office history, with a total of $11.1 billion projected for the calendar year through 31 December. The previous record was set in 2013, which brought in $10.919 billion to the North American box office at year-end.

    “Hollywood built the perfect box office beast in 2015, with one hit movie after the next, week after week, exceeding expectations with a regularity that made it look easy. With records falling like dominoes, the revenues just kept building as audiences flooded multiplexes in huge numbers. A diverse and compelling selection of great titles, big and small, from every studio fuelled an extraordinary level of interest by patrons who seemingly could not get enough of the big screen experience in 2015,” said Rentrak senior media analyst Paul Dergarabedian.

    Many notable records fell this year, with virtually every month posting a new benchmark for North American box office revenue. The year’s records included: the biggest January weekend gross with American Sniper, the biggest February opening weekend with Fifty Shades Of Grey, the biggest April opening weekend with Furious 7, the best June opening weekend with Jurassic World, the biggest September debut with Hotel Transylvania 2, and December’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens taking over the top spot for all-time opening weekend.

    Below is a list of the top 10 highest-earning years at the North American box office:

  • Sony Pix to premiere ‘American Hustle’

    Sony Pix to premiere ‘American Hustle’

    MUMBAI: Sony Pix will be premiering American Hustle, a black comedy crime movie for the first time on Indian television. The movie is inspired by the real life story of FBI ABSCAM operation and will air on 26 December at 9 pm.

    The movie is presented by Moto 360 in association with Adidas and Van Heusen. 

     

    Directed by David O Russell, the movie highlights the scandals of 1970s and portrays the story of a con man named Irving Rosenfeld played by Christian Bale, who along with his partner Sydney Prosser played by Amy Adams, is forced to work for a wild FBI agent named Richie DiMaso played by Bradley Cooper. 

    DiMaso pushes them into the world of the Jersey powerbrokers and the mafia that is as dangerous as it is enchanting. Jeremy Renner plays Carmine Polito, the political operator caught between the con-artists and the Feds. Irving’s unpredictable wife Rosalyn played by Jennifer Lawrence, could be identified as the one to bring the entire world crashing down like a delicate pack of cards.

  • ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ takes biggest ever opening weekend

    ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ takes biggest ever opening weekend

    MUMBAI: The opening weekend for Star Wars: The Force Awakens is officially the biggest in North American box office history, ahead of its India release on 25 December.

     
    The movie’s first weekend in theaters, the seventh film of the franchise brought in $238 million. The previous record-holder was Jurassic World, which made $208.8 million during its debut weekend over the summer.

     
    Globally, Star Wars brought in $517 million, coming in just under the $525 million that Jurassic World made. However, the latter had the advantage of opening in China as well; The Force Awakens doesn’t come out there until 9 January, 2016.

     
    Star Wars: The Force Awakens posted the highest Thursday preview gross ($57 million), the highest single-day and Friday gross ($120.5 million), and it is the first film to surpass $100 million in a single day. It also posted the highest theater average for a wide release with $57,568.

     
    Marking the biggest opening weekend ever in numerous key territories, including the UK, Germany, Australia, and Russia, Star Wars: The Force Awakens posted an estimated international opening weekend of $279 million (third highest reported opening weekend in industry history, behindJurassic World at $316 million including around $97 million China and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt 2 at $314 million) and topping the previous December record held by Avatar ($164.5 million).

     
    Star Wars: The Force Awakens storm-trooped its way across the global landscape (except for China) this weekend to post an amazing estimated $517 million global gross.

     

    Star Wars: The Force Awakens also generated a record-breaking estimated $48 million from Imax screens globally, beating the previous Jurassic World record of $44 (which included China).

     

    Star Wars: The Force Awakens was on over 30,000 screens internationally this weekend. It opened at #1 in all markets throughout the world with the exception of Korea and Vietnam, where it was the #1 western films.

     

    In the Asia-Pacific, the movie raked in $75.7 million, whereas in Latin America, it totted $36.0 million.

     
    Star Wars: The Force Awakens is directed by JJ Abrams and stars Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, and Max von Sydow.

     

    The movie opens in India on 25 December in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.

  • Vin Diesel inks first-look deal with Universal Television

    Vin Diesel inks first-look deal with Universal Television

    MUMBAI: Vin Diesel’s One Race Television is partnering with Universal Television on a multi-year, first-look production deal.

     

    One Race, founded in 1995 by writer, director, producer and actor Diesel, has produced the four highest-grossing films in the seven film Fast franchise — Furious 7, Fast and Furious 6, Fast Five as well as Fast & Furious. The franchise has earned $3.9 billion at the worldwide box-office. He has directed Multifacial, Strays and Los Bandoleros.

     

    Previously, One Race launched multiple franchises in the action genre, including the science-fiction thriller Pitch Black and the two follow-up films, Chronicles of Riddick and Riddick, along with the hit xXx and the follow up xXx: Return of Xander Cage, in pre-production now. Diesel’s business acumen also extends to the gaming universe, where his Tigon Studios produced three critically acclaimed console titles including Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay and original property The Wheelman.

     

    One of the first offerings going to market will be a television series complement to Diesel and writer/director David Twohy’s highly successful sci-fi franchise, Riddick.

     

    “In addition to being a huge star for our feature division, Vin is a true creative force as a producer. After sitting down with him and his team at One Race Television, it’s clear he will now also be an incredible asset to both the network and our television studio. We feel really fortunate to be in business with, not only an international powerhouse, but a truly thoughtful and passionate producer,” said NBC Entertainment president Jennifer Salke.  

     

    Diesel has hired industry veteran and former Fox Broadcasting Co senior vice president – event series Shana C. Waterman as head of television. Waterman will oversee development and production under this multi-year, first-look deal.

     

    “I have dreamt about expanding the One Race brand into television and now we’ve found the perfect creative partners in Bob, Jen and the team at Universal Television,” Diesel said. “Shana is an incredible addition to this team.”

     

    “I’m incredibly excited to join the exceptionally smart, innovative team Vin’s built at One Race,” Waterman said. “Both he and fellow producer Samantha Vincent, alongside their partners at Universal, have grown a formidable global brand ready-made for this diverse and highly creative time in the world of television.”

  • RealD wins patent infringement action over MasterImage

    RealD wins patent infringement action over MasterImage

    MUMBAI: In the U.S. International Trade Commission investigation instituted against MasterImage 3D’s Horizon3D cinema system products, an initial determination concluded that RealD’s patents were valid and infringed by MasterImage. 

     

    RealD had filed an ITC complaint contending that the Horizon3D cinema systems infringe RealD patents covering their optical architecture and polarisation control technologies. The ITC is an independent governmental agency in Washington, DC, responsible for addressing patent infringement disputes relating to goods that are manufactured abroad and imported into the United States.

     

    RealD pioneered modern digital 3D in cinemas and is the dominant global 3D market leader with over 27,000 screens in 72 countries. RealD’s XL Cinema Systems are the world’s brightest, delivering the best visual experience possible to consumers.

     

    “We are enormously pleased with today’s initial determination by the U.S. International Trade Commission in our favour. We invested considerable time, effort and resources to develop the most light-efficient 3D projection system in the industry, and we will continue to aggressively enforce our intellectual property rights against any company that seeks to infringe on our patented technology,” said RealD executive vice president and general counsel Vivian Yang.

     

    RealD has significant patent protection surrounding its light-doubling XL Cinema System with IP covering architecture and other aspects of the inventive technology. RealD’s invention patents have been consistently affirmed in both examination and re-examination proceedings around the world.

  • Paramount to release first 2 films digitally under flexible distribution plan

    Paramount to release first 2 films digitally under flexible distribution plan

    MUMBAI: Paramount Pictures announced the home entertainment release dates of the first two films in the studio’s digital revenue-sharing initiative with theatrical exhibitors. Scouts Guide To The Zombie Apocalypse and Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension will debut on digital platforms for sale and rental beginning 8 December and 15 December, respectively.

     

    Under the revenue-sharing agreement with select theatrical exhibitors, the films were eligible to be released on home entertainment platforms 17 days after they dipped below 300 domestic theaters, giving consumers unprecedented early access to enjoy the movies at home following their theatrical runs. Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension was released in theaters on 23 October and Scouts Guide To The Zombie Apocalypse was released on 30 October.

     

    “This innovative agreement with exhibitors enables us to make these two films available to home viewers much earlier than usual, following their natural lifecycle in theaters. This flexible distribution model allows us to maximize the revenue potential of these films, satisfy consumer demand through legitimate digital access, while respecting and preserving an exclusive theatrical window,” said Paramount Pictures president of worldwide distribution and marketing Megan Colligan.

     

    Exhibitors participating in the initiative – including AMC Theatres, Cineplex Entertainment, National Amusements, Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, Southern Theatres and Landmark Cinemas – will receive a percentage of any of the studio’s digital revenue for the period of digital availability through 90 days from the initial US theatrical release, with each exhibitor’s share proportional to its theatrical gross market share.

  • Star Movies and Star Movies Select HD to premiere ‘Dracula Untold’ and ‘The Boxtrolls’ respectively

    Star Movies and Star Movies Select HD to premiere ‘Dracula Untold’ and ‘The Boxtrolls’ respectively

    MUMBAI: On 5 December, Star Movies Select HD will showcase the tale of how Boxtrolls were saved from extermination in the adventure movie The Boxtrolls at 9 pm. 

     

    Additionally, on Sunday, 6 December, Star Movies HD will premiere Dracula Untold at 9 pm and 1 pm.

     

    The Boxtrolls, which is directed by Graham Annable and Anthony Stacchi, is based on a novel Here Be Monsters!by Alan Snow. It narrates the story of Eggs (Isaac Hempstead-Wright), an orphan, who lives with the Boxtrolls — a community of quirky, mischievous creatures who inhabit a cavern beneath the city of Cheesebridge. When villainous Archibald Snatcher (Ben Kingsley) hatches a plan to get rid of the pretty harmless beings, Eggs decides to go above ground, where he meets and befriends feisty Winnifred (Elle Fanning). Together, Eggs and Winnifred devise a daring plan to save the Boxtrolls from extermination

     

    Dracula Untold directed by Garu Shore narrates the story of a young lord Vlad Tepes played by Luke Evans and his family who are living a peaceful life ruling over their small kingdom but when a Turk warlord demands from Vlad a thousand country boys and his son to create an army, Vlad seeks a terrible power that will allow him to protect his kingdom and family from the Turks at a terrible cost.

  • Twentieth Century Fox & Imax ink maiden multi-film deal

    Twentieth Century Fox & Imax ink maiden multi-film deal

    MUMBAI: Twentieth Century Fox and Imax Corporation have entered into their first long-term, multi-picture agreement.

     

    Their first joint multi-picture agreement includes future tentpoles from the Fox slate, including Deadpool, Independence Day Resurgence,Maze Runner: The Death Cure and the studio’s untitled Wolverine project.

     

    “We are very happy to announce this new global affiliation with Imax and look forward to offering our audiences another choice in their viewing of our movies. We look forward to working with our partners in what is sure to be an exciting and rewarding future,” said Twentieth Century Fox president of worldwide marketing and distribution Paul Hanneman, president of domestic theatrical distribution Chris Aronson.

     

    “We are extremely pleased to enter into this strategic alliance with Fox, with whom we have experienced some of our greatest successes. Given their exciting upcoming slate, the agreement makes strategic sense for both companies. We are also excited to be able to release blockbusters together in China, which we think could help Imax and Fox expand our footprint in that market jointly,” said Imax Corp CEO Richard L. Gelfond.

     

    “With this new multi-picture deal, Imax closes the loop among the Hollywood studios and takes our relationship with Fox to a new level. We are excited to bring this particular slate of films to Imax fans worldwide,” said Imax Corp senior executive vice president and Imax Entertainment CEO Greg Foster.

     

    The Imax release of each film will be digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of The Imax Experience with proprietary Imax DMR (Digital Re-mastering) technology. The crystal-clear images, coupled with Imax’s customized theatre geometry and powerful digital audio, create a unique environment that will make audiences feel as if they are in the movie.

  • Priyanka Chopra signs with WME talent agency

    Priyanka Chopra signs with WME talent agency

    NEW DELHI: Actress Priyanka Chopra, who stars as the lead in  ABC’s FBI television drama Quantico, has moved from talent management agency CAA to William Morris Endeavor.

     

    Chopra, who had been with CAA since 2012, was introduced to the agency by her longtime manager Anjula Acharia-Bath.

     

    Acharia-Bath will continue to manage Chopra.

     

    Chopra plays the lead in Quantico, which already has been picked up for a full season. She read 26 scripts under her ABC Studios talent deal before handpicking the role of Alex Parrish, an FBI recruit accused of causing a terrorist attack on Grand Central.

     

    A former Miss World (2000), Chopra has starred in more than 50 Hindi movies and has received critical acclaim for her performances in movies like Fashion, Mary Kom and Barfi! amongst others. Her forthcoming Hindi films include Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s epic drama Baajirao Mastani and Prakash Jha’s Jai Gangajaal.

     

    On Indian television, Chopra also hosted a season of Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi on Colors in 2010, for which she received the Indian Telly Awards for Most Impactful Debut on Television.

     

    Chopra is also actively pursuing her music career and has recorded albums in English. Her single “In My City” was chosen as the NFL Network’s 2013 Thursday Night Football theme song. Later, she recorded a duet with Pitbull and her cover of Bonnie Raitt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me” was featured in a nationwide Beats By Dre campaign.

  • Lionsgate inks 30+ licensee partners for ‘The Hunger Games’ franchise

    Lionsgate inks 30+ licensee partners for ‘The Hunger Games’ franchise

    MUMBAI: Lionsgate is celebrating the final chapter of its blockbuster The Hunger Games film franchise with the introduction of a new collection of themed products inspired by the franchise, including offerings specific to the upcoming final installment, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2, which premieres in theaters on 20 November, 2015.

     

    The merchandising program, the largest of its kind handled by Lionsgate’s internal consumer products team, includes a comprehensive, cross-category product lineup that ranges from apparel, accessories and jewelry, to the iconic Mockingjay pins from each of the films, to trend and collectible products.

     

    The themed products are being licensed in partnership with numerous partners, including global toymaker Mattel; design and merchandising company of apparel and accessories, Bioworld Merchandising; pop-culture collectible maker Funko; monthly geek and gaming gear subscription service Loot Crate; worldwide costume and costume accessories licensee Rubie’s Costume Company; and wall art, stationary and accessories manufacturer Pyramid International.

     

    The World of The Hunger Games collection delivers the most iconic moments from the past three films, including The Hunger Games, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1. With the release of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2, an entirely new collection of products were developed using creative elements that focus on the climatic events from the final film.

     

    “The release of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 allows us to celebrate the entire film franchise with Hunger Games fans worldwide. Our partners from around the world have created an amazing assortment of products that deliver the heart and emotion of The Hunger Games franchise,” said Lionsgate SVP franchise management, domestic consumer products Randy Shoemaker and Lionsgate SVP franchise management, international consumer products Sheila Clarke.

     

    The World of The Hunger Games products will be available at retailers and specialty stores worldwide.