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Tag: MGM

  • TNT bags premier rights to The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

    TNT bags premier rights to The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

    MUMBAI: Time Warner’s Turner Broadcasting System has bagged the television rights to The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. TNT already has rights to Peter Jackson’s first Hobbit, from New Line and MGM. The movie will premier on TNT in 2016, while the 2012 release The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey will be aired in 2015.

     

    The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug was acquired by TNT post its huge box office success. Reports suggest that the movie has bagged more than $400 million in worldwide BO and $ 127.5 million domestically, since its release earlier this month.

     

    TNT had first ventured into Tolkien’s Middle Earth with its network television premiere of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring in 2004. Since then the network has been acquiring movies like The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers in 2005 and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King in 2006.

     

    TNT, TBS and Turner Classic Movies president, head of programming Michael Wright said in a release, “TNT has been the primary television home to Tolkien’s Middle Earth for nearly a decade, beginning with our network television premieres of The Lord of the Rings trilogy. We’re proud to continue our association with these extraordinary and enormously popular epics with the acquisition of The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.”

  • TV Everywhere increases the value of Pay TV: Epix Survey

    TV Everywhere increases the value of Pay TV: Epix Survey

    MUMBAI: US TV network Epix which is a JV between Viacom, MGM and Lionsgate has announced key findings of a survey, conducted by global consumer research firm Hub Entertainment.

    This show that consumers who view content on multiple platforms and devices attach much more value to service from their pay TV provider than those who watch on a TV set only. Epix made this announcement at the National Cable and Telecommunications Association (NCTA) 2013 Cable Show in Washington, DC.

    The survey found that the value that subscribers attribute to their pay TV service increases as the number of devices used to watch programming grows. Pay TV subscribers‘ value ratings increase by up to 83 per cent for viewers who access programming on multiple devices compared to those who watch on TV only. Among pay TV subscribers who view content on a TV plus three additional devices, 71 per cent feel pay TV is an “excellent/good” value; the percentage increases to 88 per cent among pay TV subscribers viewing on TV and four other devices, a true testament to the strength of multiplatform viewing.

    Among subscribers who view content on a TV only, 48 per cent believe that they are getting an “excellent/good” value from their pay TV subscription.

    The findings also indicate that multiplatform viewing enhances the value that subscribers attribute to Epix. Epix subscribers‘ satisfaction increases by over 50 per cent among multiple platform and device viewers compared with those who watch only on TV. While 62 per cent of Epix subscribers watching only on television are satisfied with the service, 80 per cent of Epix subscribers who view the network via two or three devices are satisfied. Importantly, the highest levels of satisfaction come from Epix subscribers who access the network‘s content on four or more devices, with an impressive 94 per cent satisfied with their Epix subscription.

    The value of watching Epix on devices benefits pay TV providers as well. Over 80 per cent of Epix subscribers who view on game consoles or media players say that having that capability makes their pay TV subscription more valuable than it would otherwise be.

    Epix chief of staff Nora Ryan said, “The results of this study illustrate the high value consumers are placing on multiplatform viewing and underscores the importance of delivering superior content along with the ability to make it available to consumers at their convenience on any platform. As the entertainment viewing experience evolves, consumers are making new choices about how they want to consume content and forming new habits that include the desire to watch movies and TV shows anytime, anywhere and on multiple platforms. Flexibility is really important in the delivery and packaging of programming services and those distributors who recognise this will be able to increase the satisfaction levels of their customers. We remain committed to working closely with our operating partners to provide our authenticated subscribers access to the best content and extra features in all the ways they want it.

  • Twlight Saga romps in $ 48.8 million in third consecutive weekend

    Twlight Saga romps in $ 48.8 million in third consecutive weekend

    MUMBAI: Thanks to a $48.8 million weekend at some 11,800 locations in 73 territories, Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2 has now become the biggest-grossing franchise title overseas boosting its foreign gross total to $447.8 million.
    The fifth and final title based on Stephenie Meyer‘s series of novels about a young woman (Kristen Stewart) in love with a vampire (Robert Pattinson) has roped in $16.9 million more than the franchise‘s previous all-time offshore box office champ The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 that collected $430.9 million last year.
    Breaking Dawn Part 2 dominated a generally lacklustre box office session overseas by clinging to the No. 1 spot for the third consecutive week with hold over titles for the most part registering diminishing returns.
    Worldwide, the film has grossed $702.4 million. Lionsgate International, which is handling foreign distribution of the Summit Ent. co-production had earlier said that Breaking Dawn Part 2‘s enormously big action helped lift the distributor‘s 2012 total foreign box office past the $1-billion mark.
    Finishing No. 2 once again was Sony/MGM‘s Skyfall, the 23rd installment of the James Bond franchise that collected $34 million from 7,600 spots in 84 markets handled by Sony and licensees of co-distributor MGM.
    Since its overseas opening on 26 OCtober, Skyfall has accumulated nearly $200 million more that the $432.2 total foreign gross of the previous franchise record holder, 2006‘s Casino Royale, also starring Craig.
    A No. 1 Japan opening provided $5.9 million from 587 situations, which Sony said was 51 per cent bigger than the opening market gross of 2008‘s Quantum of Solace, which grossed a total of $407.7 overseas. A No. 1 bow in South Africa ($800,000 from 128 spots) was also recorded for Skyfall.
    Making No. 1 debuts in Spain, Singapore and Malaysia was Twentieth Century Fox‘s release of Life of Pi, the film version of Yann Martel‘s novel of the same name about a young castaway and a Bengal tiger.
    Directed by Taiwanese-born Ang Lee, the Fox 2000 co-production drew $21.5 million on the weekend overall playing a total of 5,678 in 11 markets, the best of of which were China ($11 million in second round at 3,800 site for a market cume of $38.5 million) and Taiwan ($2.6 million at 165 locations, a rousing 47 per cent increase from the opening weekend). In spite of its relatively limited foreign release, the film has generated a total of $61.1 million in just two rounds.

  • Skyfall reigns for third consecutive week

    Skyfall reigns for third consecutive week

    MUMBAI: Seizing the No. 1 box office spot offshore for the third consecutive round, Skyfall, with a weekend tally of $89 million from 12,850 locations in 80 markets, is now on its way to becoming the biggest-grossing James Bond title ever released in the foreign theatrical circuit.

    Since its overseas opening on 26 October, Daniel Craig‘s third Bond outing has collected $428.6 million, just $3.6 million away from the $432.2 total foreign gross of the existing franchise record holder 2006‘s Casino Royale that also starred Craig.

    The film is expected to overtake Casino Royale on Monday, said Sony, which has collected $367.4 million of the total overseas take while co-distributor MGM has taken in $61.2 via various licensees.

    The film‘s weekend feature was dominated by the UK that contributed $18.2 million from 1,786 sites in Skyfall‘s third round there. In Germany, the second round tally was $15.1 million at 1,338 situations for a market total of $44 million. France came up with $8.2 million in the third stanza at 825 sites, for a market total of $42.5 million.

    The 22 previous Bond titles that started from Dr No, the first that generated $43.4 million overseas to 2008‘s Quantum of Solace that amassed $407.7 million, have tallied total foreign revenues of $3.277 billion.

  • MGM co-chairman, co-CEO Roger Birnbaum steps down

    MGM co-chairman, co-CEO Roger Birnbaum steps down

    MUMBAI: Gary Barber and Roger Birnbaum have announced that Birnbaum will transition to an exclusive producer role at the US studio MGM while Barber will become the sole chairman, CEO. Birnbaum will remain in his current offices in MGM‘s executive suite and will produce and develop new projects exclusively for the company.

    The announcement marks a return to hands-on producing for Birnbaum. He will first serve as executive producer and oversee production of the José Padilha reboot of the 1980s classic ROBOCOP, which started principal photography on September 15. Other upcoming projects he plans to produce include films based on ‘Deathwish‘, ‘War Games‘ and ‘Magnificnet Seven‘.

    Birnbaum said, “Gary and I decided, 2 years ago, to accept the challenge of joining MGM and restoring the company to its rightful place in the industry. I am very proud of where MGM is today. I have been in the film business a long time, and my greatest passion has always been producing. Now is the time for me to return to what I love to do the most…producing films. And the fact that I will be producing for MGM, with Gary, my partner and friend will be very gratifying.”

    Barber said, “I respect Roger‘s decision to return to his passion of ‘hands on‘ producing, and we are thrilled he has chosen to stay at MGM on an exclusive basis. We have been partners for almost 15 years and we have shared many successes together and I look forward to many more. I have the utmost confidence in Roger‘s ability to produce many of our key upcoming productions, and I could not be happier that we will continue to work together.”

    MGM Holdings lead director Ann Mather said, “The Board is very pleased with the performance of the company under Gary and Roger. We want to thank Roger and look forward to him producing upcoming MGM films and have full confidence in Gary continuing to lead the company with the talented management team in place.”

    Barber and Birnbaum were appointed MGM co-chairman, CEO‘s in December 2010 as the company emerged from bankruptcy. Since that time, they have secured a distribution and co-financing partnership with Sony Pictures Entertainment, which includes such films as ‘The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo‘, ‘21 Jump Street‘ and the upcoming 23rd James Bond adventure ‘Skyfall‘. They solidified a partnership with Warner Brothers/New Line Cinema on the upcoming ‘The Hobbit‘ trilogy, beginning this December with ‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey‘. Additionally, MGM is partnered with Paramount Pictures on several upcoming films including ‘GI Joe: Retaliation‘ and ‘Hansel And Gretel: Witch Hunters‘. 

    Barber‘s and Birnbaum‘s reinvigorated MGM is also currently in production on the ‘Robocop‘ re-boot (along with partner Sony), scheduled for release in August 2013 and the recently wrapped ‘Carrie‘ (with Sony‘s Screen Gems) due March 2013. In April 2011, Barber and Birnbaum renewed MGM‘s worldwide home entertainment distribution pact with Fox Home Entertainment, extending the agreement through 2016.

    Since the company emerged from bankruptcy, it has created new TV content including an original scripted television series, ‘Vikings‘, which MGM has developed and will distribute with History Channel, as well as new programming from MGM‘s classic catalogue, including the drama series ‘Teen Wolf‘ with MTV and is in development on the upcoming re-imagined unscripted series ‘Fame‘ partnering with Nigel Lythgoe. Additionally, the company has also announced distribution and output deals to broadcast MGM‘s new films, television series and library assets with companies worldwide.

    Barber and Birnbaum will continue their long-term partnership at Spyglass Entertainment, a company they founded together in 1998, and which produced films like ‘The Sixth Sense‘. While no longer producing films through Spyglass, they continue to own the library assets of the company together.

  • MGM to release James Bond docu on 5 October

    MGM to release James Bond docu on 5 October

    MUMBAI: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures, Columbia Pictures, Passion Pictures and Red Box Films have announced their new feature documentary ‘Everything Or Nothing: The Untold Story Of 007‘ directed by Stevan Riley.
    This will coincide with the 50th anniversary of James Bond films on 5 October. Country specific release plans will be announced shortly.
    The documentary focusses on three men with a shared dream – Bond producers Albert R. Broccoli, Harry Saltzman and author Ian Fleming. It‘s the thrilling and inspiring narrative behind the longest running film franchise in cinema history which began in 1962. With unprecedented access both to the key players involved and to Eon Productions‘ extensive archive, this is the first time the inside story of the franchise has ever been told on screen in this way.
    Director Stevan Riley follows a story that begins with a ground-breaking spy thriller and continues six Bonds and five decades later. While Bond was saving the world from chaos and catastrophe on screen, this compelling documentary draws back the curtain to reveal the battles, threats and real stakes unfolding behind the camera.

  • Ann Rutherford expires at 94

    Ann Rutherford expires at 94

    MUMBAI: Ann Rutherford, who played the sweetheart in the long-running Andy Hardy series and Scarlett O‘Hara‘s youngest sister in Gone With the Wind, has expired. She died of heart problems and had been ill for several months. She was 94.
     
    Rutherford was a frequent guest at Gone With the Wind celebrations in Georgia and, as one of the few remaining actors from the movie, continued to attract fans from around the world. She was also known for the Andy Hardy series, a hugely popular string of comical, sentimental films, that starred Lewis Stone as a small-town judge and Mickey Rooney as his spirited teenage son.
     
    Rutherford first appeared in the second film of the series, You‘re Only Young Once, in 1938 and went on star in 11 more. She played Polly Benedict, the ever-faithful girlfriend that Andy always returned to, no matter what other, more glamorous girl had temporarily caught his eye.

    (Among the other girls: Judy Garland and Lana Turner.)
    Rutherford told the Times in 2010 that MGM head Louis B. Mayer was going to refuse her the role, calling it “a nothing part.” But Rutherford, who was a fan of the novel, uncharacteristically burst into tears after which he relented.

    In 1989, Rutherford was one of 10 surviving GWTW cast members who gathered in Atlanta for the celebration of the film‘s 50th anniversary.

  • Five 007 films to screen at Cannes on 50th anniversary

    Five 007 films to screen at Cannes on 50th anniversary

    MUMBAI: This year‘s Cannes Film Festival will celebrate 50 years of the James Bond franchise by screening five classic 007 films.
     
    The films that will be screened on the occasion are From Russia with Love, On Her Majesty‘s Secret Service, Diamonds Are Forever and Daniel Craig‘s debut film Casino Royale. The films, which have all been digitally enhanced, will be shown free to the public.
     
    “The screenings in Cannes mark a year-long celebration, including a return to theatres worldwide of some of the classic Bond films,” said MGM and Sony executives in a joint statement.
     
    The superspy first made an appearance on screen in 1962‘s Dr No and went on to become a sensational hit thereafter.

  • Sam Raimi remaking Poltergeist for MGM

    Sam Raimi remaking Poltergeist for MGM

    MUMBAI: Sam Raimi, the filmmaker who got his start with Evil Dead, is all set produce the remake of the 1982 film Poltergeist for MGM. The original was made by Steven Spielberg.
     
    It is also clear that Raimi will not direct the remake but will help oversee the search for a helmer. David Lindsay-Abaire, who had earlier worked on Disney‘s Oz: The Great and Powerful for the producer will write the script that focuses on a family whose house was built on a holy site and their daughter is abducted by the ghosts.
     
    The remake of Poltergeist is one of the two horror remakes on which MGM is in active development, the other being Carrie.

    Raimi is currently producing a remake of his Evil Dead that is being directed by Fede Alvarez. The film is scheduled to release on 12 April 12.

  • Halloween 3D not to release this year

    Halloween 3D not to release this year

    MUMBAI: Dimension Films has taken off its next Halloween 3D from the release calendar this year. The wing of Weinstein Co. has confirmed that the film won‘t be ready in time for a scheduled 26 October release.

    With this Paranormal 4, that is to open on 19 October will now be the only horror film to release in October.

    In 2007, Dimension rebooted the long-running Halloween franchise that consisted of eight previous films. The same version, titled Halloween and released stateside through MGM, grossed $80.3 million worldwide. Later in 2009, the company followed up with Halloween II that went on to gross $39.4 million worldwide.

    For Halloween 3D, Dimension Films has been working with writer-director Patrick Lussier and writer Todd Farmer, who had earlier collaborated on 2009‘s My Bloody Valentine and 2011‘s Drive Angry.

    The new date for Halloween 3D is still to be announced.