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Robert Rodriguez is gearing up to make his return to theaters this summer with a brand new, mind-bending thriller starring none other than Ben Affleck. The somewhat mysterious film, titled "Hypnotic," held an in-progress screening at SXSW this year. You can read our findings right here from the version of the film that was screened, but the rest of you out there will soon have the chance to see the film for yourselves. The movie now has a release date and, unlike Rodriguez's recent venture, "We Can Be Heroes," this one is destined for the big screen.
For those who enjoy the "Alita: Battle Angel" and "From Dusk Till Dawn" filmmaker's work, we're here to give you all of...
Robert Rodriguez is gearing up to make his return to theaters this summer with a brand new, mind-bending thriller starring none other than Ben Affleck. The somewhat mysterious film, titled "Hypnotic," held an in-progress screening at SXSW this year. You can read our findings right here from the version of the film that was screened, but the rest of you out there will soon have the chance to see the film for yourselves. The movie now has a release date and, unlike Rodriguez's recent venture, "We Can Be Heroes," this one is destined for the big screen.
For those who enjoy the "Alita: Battle Angel" and "From Dusk Till Dawn" filmmaker's work, we're here to give you all of...
- 4/1/2023
- by Ryan Scott
- Slash Film
Exclusive: Fresh off a surprise “work in progress” screening at SXSW, Robert Rodriguez’s action-thriller Hypnotic, starring Ben Affleck, has been set for a May 12 U.S. release.
As we revealed last month, Ketchup Entertainment will be launching the movie on more than 2,000 screens.
The looming release for a movie that remains unfinished is yet another talking point in the project’s tumultuous journey to screen.
Little has been straight-forward for Hypnotic but the warm reception it received on Sunday night was a welcome respite for its creatives and financiers. It’s unusual for a big budget film to get a public “work in progress” screening at a festival but Austin was a smart choice given the home crowd’s reverence for Texas-native Rodriguez.
The director said today: “I’ve been working on this film for many years now, and to see the reaction from my home town audience at SXSW was humbling and validating.
As we revealed last month, Ketchup Entertainment will be launching the movie on more than 2,000 screens.
The looming release for a movie that remains unfinished is yet another talking point in the project’s tumultuous journey to screen.
Little has been straight-forward for Hypnotic but the warm reception it received on Sunday night was a welcome respite for its creatives and financiers. It’s unusual for a big budget film to get a public “work in progress” screening at a festival but Austin was a smart choice given the home crowd’s reverence for Texas-native Rodriguez.
The director said today: “I’ve been working on this film for many years now, and to see the reaction from my home town audience at SXSW was humbling and validating.
- 3/17/2023
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
One of Austin’s hometown filmmakers is bringing his next movie to SXSW.
Director Robert Rodriguez will screen a work-in-progress cut of his crime thriller “Hypnotic,” starring Ben Affleck, for fans at the SXSW Film Festival in the Texas capital on March 12.
In the film, written by Rodriguez and Max Borenstein, Affleck plays a detective who is investigating a series of inexplicable crimes while searching for his missing daughter, whose disappearance is somehow involved with a secret government program.
The film co-stars Alice Braga, Jd Pardo, Hala Finley, Dayo Okeniyi, Jeff Fahey, Jackie Earle Haley and William Fichtner. Along with Rodriguez, Mark Gill, Guy Botham, Lisa Ellzey, Jeff Robinov, John Graham, and Rodriguez’s son Racer Max are serving as producers. Ketchup Entertainment is serving as the U.S. distributor.
Affleck is set to have a busy 2023. He’s starring in his next directorial effort, the Nike biopic “Air,” with Matt Damon,...
Director Robert Rodriguez will screen a work-in-progress cut of his crime thriller “Hypnotic,” starring Ben Affleck, for fans at the SXSW Film Festival in the Texas capital on March 12.
In the film, written by Rodriguez and Max Borenstein, Affleck plays a detective who is investigating a series of inexplicable crimes while searching for his missing daughter, whose disappearance is somehow involved with a secret government program.
The film co-stars Alice Braga, Jd Pardo, Hala Finley, Dayo Okeniyi, Jeff Fahey, Jackie Earle Haley and William Fichtner. Along with Rodriguez, Mark Gill, Guy Botham, Lisa Ellzey, Jeff Robinov, John Graham, and Rodriguez’s son Racer Max are serving as producers. Ketchup Entertainment is serving as the U.S. distributor.
Affleck is set to have a busy 2023. He’s starring in his next directorial effort, the Nike biopic “Air,” with Matt Damon,...
- 3/1/2023
- by Adam B. Vary
- Variety Film + TV
Company released one film since launching three years ago.
Solstice Studios founder and CEO Mark Gill and his senior executive suite are on the way out in a major blow to the independent film supply chain as insiders told Screen the LA-based company appeared destined to become the first casualty of the pandemic.
It is understood that besides Gill – the former Warner Independent Pictures head and a top executive at Miramax and Millennium Films who launched the production, finance, distribution and sales company almost three years ago to the day on October 3 2018 – departing key executives are international sales head Crystal Bourbeau,...
Solstice Studios founder and CEO Mark Gill and his senior executive suite are on the way out in a major blow to the independent film supply chain as insiders told Screen the LA-based company appeared destined to become the first casualty of the pandemic.
It is understood that besides Gill – the former Warner Independent Pictures head and a top executive at Miramax and Millennium Films who launched the production, finance, distribution and sales company almost three years ago to the day on October 3 2018 – departing key executives are international sales head Crystal Bourbeau,...
- 10/4/2021
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Company released one film since launching three years ago.
Solstice Studios founder and CEO Mark Gill and his senior executive suite are on the way out in a major blow to the independent film supply chain as insiders told Screen the LA-based company appeared destined to become the first casualty of the pandemic.
It is understood that besides Gill – the former Warner Independent Pictures head and a top executive at Miramax and Millennium Films who launched the production, finance, distribution and sales company almost three years ago to the day on October 3 2018 – other key executives on the way out are international sales head Crystal Bourbeau,...
Solstice Studios founder and CEO Mark Gill and his senior executive suite are on the way out in a major blow to the independent film supply chain as insiders told Screen the LA-based company appeared destined to become the first casualty of the pandemic.
It is understood that besides Gill – the former Warner Independent Pictures head and a top executive at Miramax and Millennium Films who launched the production, finance, distribution and sales company almost three years ago to the day on October 3 2018 – other key executives on the way out are international sales head Crystal Bourbeau,...
- 10/4/2021
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Company released one film since launching three years ago.
Solstice Studios founder and CEO Mark Gill and his senior executive suite are on the way out in a major blow to the independent film supply chain as insiders told Screen the LA-based company appeared destined to become the first casualty of the pandemic.
It is understood that besides Gill – the former Warner Independent Pictures head and a top executive at Miramax and Millennium Films who launched the producer, distributor and sales agent almost three years ago to the day on October 3 2018 – other key executives on the way out are international sales head Crystal Bourbeau,...
Solstice Studios founder and CEO Mark Gill and his senior executive suite are on the way out in a major blow to the independent film supply chain as insiders told Screen the LA-based company appeared destined to become the first casualty of the pandemic.
It is understood that besides Gill – the former Warner Independent Pictures head and a top executive at Miramax and Millennium Films who launched the producer, distributor and sales agent almost three years ago to the day on October 3 2018 – other key executives on the way out are international sales head Crystal Bourbeau,...
- 10/4/2021
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Upstart production and distribution company Solstice Studios has pink-slipped the majority of its executive leadership and looks on the verge of closure as it completes a new film starring Ben Affleck, insiders tell Variety.
On Monday morning, major players including CEO Mark Gill, production head Lisa Ellzey and production co-head Guy Botham, marketing head Vincent Bruzzese, distribution chief Shari Hardison, and international sales chief Crystal Bourbeau were all dismissed. Founded in 2018, the studio is mid-shoot on the thriller “Hypnotic,” from Affleck and director Robert Rodriguez.
Ten employees remain. Insiders close to the company blamed the financial challenges of the pandemic for the sudden departures.
“Solstice is not closing. It is being streamlined and will focus entirely on getting ‘Hypnotic’ produced and released. To that end, there will still be 10 people working at the company going forward. ‘Hypnotic’ is fully funded and in production now. Principal photography is scheduled to be...
On Monday morning, major players including CEO Mark Gill, production head Lisa Ellzey and production co-head Guy Botham, marketing head Vincent Bruzzese, distribution chief Shari Hardison, and international sales chief Crystal Bourbeau were all dismissed. Founded in 2018, the studio is mid-shoot on the thriller “Hypnotic,” from Affleck and director Robert Rodriguez.
Ten employees remain. Insiders close to the company blamed the financial challenges of the pandemic for the sudden departures.
“Solstice is not closing. It is being streamlined and will focus entirely on getting ‘Hypnotic’ produced and released. To that end, there will still be 10 people working at the company going forward. ‘Hypnotic’ is fully funded and in production now. Principal photography is scheduled to be...
- 10/4/2021
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Solstice Studios is terminating most of its key executives, a move that was announced to staff Monday morning. Deadline hears that among those who are out are founding CEO Mark Gill, production president Lisa Ellzey, founding marketing chief Vincent Bruzzese, distribution head Shari Hardison and international sales topper Crystal Bourbeau. This follows a round of layoffs last December of about 20 people.
The company will continue with just 10 staffers left, and they will oversee the completion of Hypnotic, which is now in production with Robert Rodriguez directing and Ben Affleck and Alice Braga starring. Those staffers are expected to stay on through fall 2022. I’m told the company will be shuttered after that.
“Solstice is not closing,” a company spokesperson said this morning. “It is being streamlined and will focus entirely on getting ‘Hypnotic’ produced and released. To that end, there will still be 10 people working at the company going forward.
The company will continue with just 10 staffers left, and they will oversee the completion of Hypnotic, which is now in production with Robert Rodriguez directing and Ben Affleck and Alice Braga starring. Those staffers are expected to stay on through fall 2022. I’m told the company will be shuttered after that.
“Solstice is not closing,” a company spokesperson said this morning. “It is being streamlined and will focus entirely on getting ‘Hypnotic’ produced and released. To that end, there will still be 10 people working at the company going forward.
- 10/4/2021
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Veteran Hollywood executive Terry Curtin has joined Solstice Studios as executive vice president of communications.
Curtin, who has previously held top jobs at Disney, Universal and Fox, will report directly to Vincent Bruzzese, head of marketing and strategy at the upstart studio. All of film publicity and corporate communications will fall on her desk.
Curtin replaces Elissa Greer, who is transitioning to a consultant role.
“Terry is a world-class executive who is respected across the industry,” Bruzzese said. “We’re fortunate to have her join the company on a full-time basis. Terry and Elissa worked extremely well together and delivered an excellent publicity and promotion campaign for ‘Unhinged,’ under difficult circumstances: launching the first new movie back in U.S. theaters this summer was no easy task. I look forward to their teaming up to achieve similarly striking results on ‘Good Joe Bell.’”
Curtin last oversaw a boutique consulting agency,...
Curtin, who has previously held top jobs at Disney, Universal and Fox, will report directly to Vincent Bruzzese, head of marketing and strategy at the upstart studio. All of film publicity and corporate communications will fall on her desk.
Curtin replaces Elissa Greer, who is transitioning to a consultant role.
“Terry is a world-class executive who is respected across the industry,” Bruzzese said. “We’re fortunate to have her join the company on a full-time basis. Terry and Elissa worked extremely well together and delivered an excellent publicity and promotion campaign for ‘Unhinged,’ under difficult circumstances: launching the first new movie back in U.S. theaters this summer was no easy task. I look forward to their teaming up to achieve similarly striking results on ‘Good Joe Bell.’”
Curtin last oversaw a boutique consulting agency,...
- 9/24/2020
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
You have to watch these hilarious and clever new videos featuring Russell Crowe as he promotes Solstice Studios’ Unhinged. As this is the first movie to open in theaters since the quarantine, these light, funny vids are the perfect way to get moviegoers to see film.
Directed by Derrick Borte and co-starring Caren Pistorius, this edge of your seat thriller takes something we’ve all experienced – road rage – to an unpredictable and terrifying conclusion.
See it only in theaters This Friday, August 21st.
Click here for tickets.
Academy Award winner Russell Crowe stars in Unhinged, a timely psychological thriller that explores the fragile balance of a society pushed to the edge, taking something we’ve all experienced- road rage – to an unpredictable and terrifying conclusion. Rachel (Caren Pistorius) is running late to work when she has an altercation at a traffic light with a stranger (Crowe) whose life has left him feeling powerless and invisible.
Directed by Derrick Borte and co-starring Caren Pistorius, this edge of your seat thriller takes something we’ve all experienced – road rage – to an unpredictable and terrifying conclusion.
See it only in theaters This Friday, August 21st.
Click here for tickets.
Academy Award winner Russell Crowe stars in Unhinged, a timely psychological thriller that explores the fragile balance of a society pushed to the edge, taking something we’ve all experienced- road rage – to an unpredictable and terrifying conclusion. Rachel (Caren Pistorius) is running late to work when she has an altercation at a traffic light with a stranger (Crowe) whose life has left him feeling powerless and invisible.
- 8/19/2020
- by Michelle Hannett
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
“Its time to leave the house and hit the road, because movie theaters are open!”
Solstice Studios’ Unhinged, starring Academy Award winner Russell Crowe, will be releasing nationally on Friday, August 21st across the United States.
Wamg is giving away Unhinged Fandango Gift Cards good for 2 so you can see it in theaters!
In The Comments Section Below, Tell US Your Favorite Russell Crowe Movie And The Name Of The Character He Played In The Film.
Leave you answer, name and email address.
No purchase necessary. Open to U.S. residents only. Only one per household.
Unhinged marks the first new studio film to open with a wide release since the Covid-19 shutdown nearly five months ago, and we are confident that the edge-of-your-seat thriller will remind you what you’ve missed about seeing movies on the big screen.
Exhibition partners around the nation have gone to extensive lengths to...
Solstice Studios’ Unhinged, starring Academy Award winner Russell Crowe, will be releasing nationally on Friday, August 21st across the United States.
Wamg is giving away Unhinged Fandango Gift Cards good for 2 so you can see it in theaters!
In The Comments Section Below, Tell US Your Favorite Russell Crowe Movie And The Name Of The Character He Played In The Film.
Leave you answer, name and email address.
No purchase necessary. Open to U.S. residents only. Only one per household.
Unhinged marks the first new studio film to open with a wide release since the Covid-19 shutdown nearly five months ago, and we are confident that the edge-of-your-seat thriller will remind you what you’ve missed about seeing movies on the big screen.
Exhibition partners around the nation have gone to extensive lengths to...
- 8/18/2020
- by Movie Geeks
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Comedy sequel sees Spanish audiences defy Covid with biggest opening of 2020.
Russell Crowe road-rage thriller Unhinged released in 19 international markets last Friday, proving a notable draw in Australia, where the film opened with AUD798,000 from 214 cinemas in four days for distributor Studiocanal, achieving 39% market share.
That’s a big step up from the previous weekend’s top title in the territory, which was The King Of Staten Island with $207,000. Currently, 73% of Australia’s cinemas are open, but with reduced capacities and showtimes.
Unhinged was number one in 11 international markets: Australia, UK, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand, Switzerland, Sweden, Ukraine, West Indies,...
Russell Crowe road-rage thriller Unhinged released in 19 international markets last Friday, proving a notable draw in Australia, where the film opened with AUD798,000 from 214 cinemas in four days for distributor Studiocanal, achieving 39% market share.
That’s a big step up from the previous weekend’s top title in the territory, which was The King Of Staten Island with $207,000. Currently, 73% of Australia’s cinemas are open, but with reduced capacities and showtimes.
Unhinged was number one in 11 international markets: Australia, UK, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand, Switzerland, Sweden, Ukraine, West Indies,...
- 8/4/2020
- by 1100901¦Charles Gant¦0¦
- ScreenDaily
Solstice Studios, the movie studio headed by Mark Gill, has secured distribution worldwide for its first feature film, psychological thriller “Unhinged,” starring Russell Crowe. The movie is set to open in U.S. theaters on July 10, and in international theaters as they reopen, making it the first major movie release after the lockdown in many of these markets.
Among the international distributors in major territories are Altitude Films (U.K./Ireland), Leonine (Germany/Austria), Snd (France), Studiocanal (Australia/New Zealand), Kadokawa (Japan), The Searchers (Benelux), Nordisk Film (Scandinavia), Leone Films (Italy) and Vvs (Canada).
Other distributors include Sun Distribution (LatAm), DeAPlaneta (Spain), Eagle Films (Middle East), Noori, Volgafilm (Baltics/C.I.S.), Monolith (Poland), Vertical Distribution, Blitz (Former Yugoslavia) and Movie Cloud (Taiwan).
“Unhinged” is scripted by Carl Ellsworth, the writer of “Red Eye” and “Disturbia,” and produced by Lisa Ellzey, the producer of “Warrior” and “Kingdom of Heaven.”
It takes an ordinary,...
Among the international distributors in major territories are Altitude Films (U.K./Ireland), Leonine (Germany/Austria), Snd (France), Studiocanal (Australia/New Zealand), Kadokawa (Japan), The Searchers (Benelux), Nordisk Film (Scandinavia), Leone Films (Italy) and Vvs (Canada).
Other distributors include Sun Distribution (LatAm), DeAPlaneta (Spain), Eagle Films (Middle East), Noori, Volgafilm (Baltics/C.I.S.), Monolith (Poland), Vertical Distribution, Blitz (Former Yugoslavia) and Movie Cloud (Taiwan).
“Unhinged” is scripted by Carl Ellsworth, the writer of “Red Eye” and “Disturbia,” and produced by Lisa Ellzey, the producer of “Warrior” and “Kingdom of Heaven.”
It takes an ordinary,...
- 6/23/2020
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
“Unhinged” boasts a terrific trailer, but nobody would have picked this unassuming low-budget genre effort to be the first post-pandemic major new release of 2020. Newbie theatrical distributor Solstice Studios is making a bold move with its debut release: The company is opening this $33-million psychological thriller, starring Russell Crowe as a man with serious road rage, on as many available screens as possible on July 1, 2020.
At that time, most theaters will be tentatively ramping up with repertory fare. Why on earth would anyone throw this modest entry — one that looks like prime VOD fodder — into the start of an uncertain return to indoor theatergoing?
The answer is part desperation, part opportunism. No fledgling production or distribution company plans on launching its first new movie during a pandemic. As Mark Gill, the Solstice president and CEO, looked at his options, in a world of unknown knowns, he figured, he might as...
At that time, most theaters will be tentatively ramping up with repertory fare. Why on earth would anyone throw this modest entry — one that looks like prime VOD fodder — into the start of an uncertain return to indoor theatergoing?
The answer is part desperation, part opportunism. No fledgling production or distribution company plans on launching its first new movie during a pandemic. As Mark Gill, the Solstice president and CEO, looked at his options, in a world of unknown knowns, he figured, he might as...
- 5/13/2020
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
“Unhinged” boasts a terrific trailer, but nobody would have picked this unassuming low-budget genre effort to be the first post-pandemic major new release of 2020. Newbie theatrical distributor Solstice Studios is making a bold move with its debut release: The company is opening this $33-million psychological thriller, starring Russell Crowe as a man with serious road rage, on as many available screens as possible on July 1, 2020.
At that time, most theaters will be tentatively ramping up with repertory fare. Why on earth would anyone throw this modest entry — one that looks like prime VOD fodder — into the start of an uncertain return to indoor theatergoing?
The answer is part desperation, part opportunism. No fledgling production or distribution company plans on launching its first new movie during a pandemic. As Mark Gill, the Solstice president and CEO, looked at his options, in a world of unknown knowns, he figured, he might as...
At that time, most theaters will be tentatively ramping up with repertory fare. Why on earth would anyone throw this modest entry — one that looks like prime VOD fodder — into the start of an uncertain return to indoor theatergoing?
The answer is part desperation, part opportunism. No fledgling production or distribution company plans on launching its first new movie during a pandemic. As Mark Gill, the Solstice president and CEO, looked at his options, in a world of unknown knowns, he figured, he might as...
- 5/13/2020
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
Photo Credit – Skip Bolden
Russell Crowe stars in this first trailer for Unhinged, the first new film to open in America’s movie theaters in accordance with state public health department safety guidelines on July 1.
Unhinged is a psychological thriller starring Academy Award-winner Russell Crowe from Carl Ellsworth, the writer of Red Eye and Disturbia and Lisa Ellzey, the producer of Warrior and Kingdom of Heaven. It takes an ordinary, everyday incident to its most terrifying conclusion in telling the story of a mother who leans on her horn at the wrong time, to the wrong guy. “Road rage” doesn’t begin to describe what he’s about to do to her and everyone she knows.
The film is directed by Derrick Borte (American Dreamer) and also stars Caren Pistorius, Gabriel Bateman, Jimmi Simpson and Austin P. McKenzie.
Here’s the official press release:
America’s movie theaters will show...
Russell Crowe stars in this first trailer for Unhinged, the first new film to open in America’s movie theaters in accordance with state public health department safety guidelines on July 1.
Unhinged is a psychological thriller starring Academy Award-winner Russell Crowe from Carl Ellsworth, the writer of Red Eye and Disturbia and Lisa Ellzey, the producer of Warrior and Kingdom of Heaven. It takes an ordinary, everyday incident to its most terrifying conclusion in telling the story of a mother who leans on her horn at the wrong time, to the wrong guy. “Road rage” doesn’t begin to describe what he’s about to do to her and everyone she knows.
The film is directed by Derrick Borte (American Dreamer) and also stars Caren Pistorius, Gabriel Bateman, Jimmi Simpson and Austin P. McKenzie.
Here’s the official press release:
America’s movie theaters will show...
- 5/12/2020
- by Michelle Hannett
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Mark Gill’s Solstice Studios is planning to release its first film, a thriller starring Russell Crowe called “Unhinged,” and it plans to do so at the start of July in the hopes that it will be one of the first films people can see if theaters reopen widely.
Solstice Studios has set a theatrical release date for “Unhinged” on July 1, the distributor announced Tuesday. Solstice consulted directly with the National Association of Theater Owners and other theater chains in finding an ideal date, and the idea is that, if they’re able to do so, the release will coincide with theaters reopening nationwide or directly follow it.
“We made this decision after extensive consultation with the National Association of Theaters and leading theater chains,” Mark Gill, president and CEO of Solstice Studios, said in a statement. “Those conversations have convinced us there is a way to meet pent up...
Solstice Studios has set a theatrical release date for “Unhinged” on July 1, the distributor announced Tuesday. Solstice consulted directly with the National Association of Theater Owners and other theater chains in finding an ideal date, and the idea is that, if they’re able to do so, the release will coincide with theaters reopening nationwide or directly follow it.
“We made this decision after extensive consultation with the National Association of Theaters and leading theater chains,” Mark Gill, president and CEO of Solstice Studios, said in a statement. “Those conversations have convinced us there is a way to meet pent up...
- 5/12/2020
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Solstice Studios has made two key hires with Sam Speiser as VP of Production and Jd Black as Svp of Digital Marketing and Media.
Speiser most recently worked as sole development executive under veteran studio head Rob Friedman, and previously under President of Production Lisa Ellzey at EuropaCorp. She started her career as a documentary and digital content editor, later transitioning to production coordinating and line producing music videos, shorts, and digital media. In her new role Speiser will report to Lisa Ellzey, Head of Production.
Black is a 20-year vet in the digital marketing and media space, working on both theatrical and streaming release campaigns for Sony Pictures Entertainment Studios and Amazon Studios. His notable campaigns include The Big Sick, Manchester By the Sea, The Aeronauts, Troop Zero, The Report, The Social Network as well as The Spider-Man and Bond franchises. At Solstice, Black will report to Brian Dailey,...
Speiser most recently worked as sole development executive under veteran studio head Rob Friedman, and previously under President of Production Lisa Ellzey at EuropaCorp. She started her career as a documentary and digital content editor, later transitioning to production coordinating and line producing music videos, shorts, and digital media. In her new role Speiser will report to Lisa Ellzey, Head of Production.
Black is a 20-year vet in the digital marketing and media space, working on both theatrical and streaming release campaigns for Sony Pictures Entertainment Studios and Amazon Studios. His notable campaigns include The Big Sick, Manchester By the Sea, The Aeronauts, Troop Zero, The Report, The Social Network as well as The Spider-Man and Bond franchises. At Solstice, Black will report to Brian Dailey,...
- 2/18/2020
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Solstice Studios has acquired rights to “Bomb Squad,” an original pitch from Greg Kwedar and Clint Bentley, who previously collaborated on “Transpecos.”
“Bomb Squad” is an action-thriller about two unlikely partners who team up to stop a serial bomber whose escalating attacks are building to a catastrophic event that will kill millions and destroy America’s energy supply.
This project is the first feature film pitch Solstice Studios has purchased since it was founded in fall 2018. The pitch was brought in by senior vice president Beth Bruckner O’Brien and director of development Isabelle London, who will work with Kwedar and Bentley to develop the film for the studio.
Solstice Studios was launched with $400 million in capital, and a goal of producing three to five movies a year that are aimed at global audiences. These will usually have budgets ranging between $20 million to $80 million, an arena that major studios, most of...
“Bomb Squad” is an action-thriller about two unlikely partners who team up to stop a serial bomber whose escalating attacks are building to a catastrophic event that will kill millions and destroy America’s energy supply.
This project is the first feature film pitch Solstice Studios has purchased since it was founded in fall 2018. The pitch was brought in by senior vice president Beth Bruckner O’Brien and director of development Isabelle London, who will work with Kwedar and Bentley to develop the film for the studio.
Solstice Studios was launched with $400 million in capital, and a goal of producing three to five movies a year that are aimed at global audiences. These will usually have budgets ranging between $20 million to $80 million, an arena that major studios, most of...
- 2/11/2020
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Solstice Studios has hired former 20th Century Fox, Alcon Entertainment and New Line Cinema executive Dana Belcastro as Head of Physical Production. She will report to President & CEO Mark Gill. Belcastro is the latest move by Solstice to build its infrastructure in anticipation of becoming a major generator of film content.
Belcastro, whose production experience and relationships include working with Denis Villeneuve, James Cameron, Terrence Malick, and Alexander Payne among others, was most recently Executive Vice President, Feature Production at 20th Century Fox. She worked on Avatar 2 & 3, The Post, Call of the Wild, Fruit Loops and The True Maze.
Her previous experience includes serving as Executive Vice President, Feature Film Production at Alcon Entertainment and Evergreen Studios, as well as Co-Producer on the Villenueve-directed Blade Runner 2049, and the Laurence Sher-directed Father Figures.
At New Line Cinema, Belcastro supervised physical production on over thirty films including: the Final Destination franchise,...
Belcastro, whose production experience and relationships include working with Denis Villeneuve, James Cameron, Terrence Malick, and Alexander Payne among others, was most recently Executive Vice President, Feature Production at 20th Century Fox. She worked on Avatar 2 & 3, The Post, Call of the Wild, Fruit Loops and The True Maze.
Her previous experience includes serving as Executive Vice President, Feature Film Production at Alcon Entertainment and Evergreen Studios, as well as Co-Producer on the Villenueve-directed Blade Runner 2049, and the Laurence Sher-directed Father Figures.
At New Line Cinema, Belcastro supervised physical production on over thirty films including: the Final Destination franchise,...
- 2/3/2020
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Solstice Studios has hired Mark Mulcahy to be Senior Vice President, In-Theatre Marketing, and Tom Sweetser to be Vice President, Operations. Both will report to Shari Hardison, Head of Us Distribution. The company continues to staff up in anticipation of its first theatrical release, the road rage thriller Unhinged with Russell Crowe, which is set for August 28, 2020 release.
Mulcahy comes to Solstice after has worked in the film business for 38 years at Paramount Pictures, The Weinstein Company and Stx Entertainment, as well as in exhibition, with Mann Theatres, Movie Tavern and Syfy. He was instrumental in the U.S. launch of iPic (Gold Class Cinemas) the Australian based concept, and worked with exhibition to develop theatrical digital smart marketing that pinpoints niche audiences and saves studios millions of dollars.
Sweetser most recently was an executive at Comscore Movies Group, where he led the global roadmap and day-to-day operations for Swift,...
Mulcahy comes to Solstice after has worked in the film business for 38 years at Paramount Pictures, The Weinstein Company and Stx Entertainment, as well as in exhibition, with Mann Theatres, Movie Tavern and Syfy. He was instrumental in the U.S. launch of iPic (Gold Class Cinemas) the Australian based concept, and worked with exhibition to develop theatrical digital smart marketing that pinpoints niche audiences and saves studios millions of dollars.
Sweetser most recently was an executive at Comscore Movies Group, where he led the global roadmap and day-to-day operations for Swift,...
- 12/12/2019
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Lisa Ellzey, the longtime film exec who has worked at Scott Free, Fox and Lionsgate and most recently as president of U.S. production at Luc Besson’s EuropaCorp, has joined Solstice Studios as Head of Production. She will report to Solstice president and CEO Mark Gill.
The hire comes as Ellzey most recently produced Unhinged, Solstice’s Russell Crowe-starring psychological thriller directed by Derrick Borte. The pic shot over the summer, with a U.S. theatrical release set for August 28, 2020.
As an Evp at Lionsgate, Ellzey was an executive producer of Gavin O’Connor’s Warrior starring Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton. She previously was an Evp at 20th Century Fox and before that was president of Scott Free Entertainment, where her Ep credits included the company’s The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, Ridley Scott’s A Good Year, Kingdom of Heaven...
The hire comes as Ellzey most recently produced Unhinged, Solstice’s Russell Crowe-starring psychological thriller directed by Derrick Borte. The pic shot over the summer, with a U.S. theatrical release set for August 28, 2020.
As an Evp at Lionsgate, Ellzey was an executive producer of Gavin O’Connor’s Warrior starring Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton. She previously was an Evp at 20th Century Fox and before that was president of Scott Free Entertainment, where her Ep credits included the company’s The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, Ridley Scott’s A Good Year, Kingdom of Heaven...
- 11/4/2019
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
EuropaCorp Films USA, the U.S. arm of Luc Besson’s Paris-based company, has been granted a six-month debt waiver from a French commercial court.
Parent company EuropaCorp has already been on a six-month debt waiver since May, and the protection is supposed to come to an end in late November. A source close to the company said the debt waiver would likely be extended in order to allow EuropaCorp to complete its restructuring plan. Listed on the Paris stock market, EuropaCorp is currently in negotiations to be taken over by the New York investment fund Vine Alternative Investments, its junior lender.
The waiver for EuropaCorp Films USA has taken several months to be granted by the French court because it’s a company established in the U.S., according to a company spokesperson, who said the waiver was chiefly an administrative procedure since EuropaCorp Films USA doesn’t have any assets.
Parent company EuropaCorp has already been on a six-month debt waiver since May, and the protection is supposed to come to an end in late November. A source close to the company said the debt waiver would likely be extended in order to allow EuropaCorp to complete its restructuring plan. Listed on the Paris stock market, EuropaCorp is currently in negotiations to be taken over by the New York investment fund Vine Alternative Investments, its junior lender.
The waiver for EuropaCorp Films USA has taken several months to be granted by the French court because it’s a company established in the U.S., according to a company spokesperson, who said the waiver was chiefly an administrative procedure since EuropaCorp Films USA doesn’t have any assets.
- 10/22/2019
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Shari Hardison has been named Head of U.S. Distribution for Solstice Studios. She starts September 23, reporting to president/CEO Mark Gill, overseeing distribution on all Sostice U.S. releases in all media. Hardison has set the first theatrical release from the studio, Unhinged, to open wide on August 28, 2020.
The Derrick Borte-directed psychological thriller stars Academy Award winner Russell Crowe and Caren Pistorius. It’s written by Carl Ellsworth and produced by Lisa Ellzey. Unhinged takes an ordinary, everyday incident to its most terrifying conclusion in telling the story of Rachel (Pistorius), a mother who leans on her horn at the wrong time, to the wrong guy (Crowe). Road rage doesn’t begin to describe what he’s about to do to her and everyone she knows.
Hardison has over 20 years of entertainment distribution experience and was most recently senior veep of Domestic Distribution and Assistant Head of Sales at Stx Entertainment.
The Derrick Borte-directed psychological thriller stars Academy Award winner Russell Crowe and Caren Pistorius. It’s written by Carl Ellsworth and produced by Lisa Ellzey. Unhinged takes an ordinary, everyday incident to its most terrifying conclusion in telling the story of Rachel (Pistorius), a mother who leans on her horn at the wrong time, to the wrong guy (Crowe). Road rage doesn’t begin to describe what he’s about to do to her and everyone she knows.
Hardison has over 20 years of entertainment distribution experience and was most recently senior veep of Domestic Distribution and Assistant Head of Sales at Stx Entertainment.
- 9/12/2019
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Cut off Russell Crowe in traffic at your own peril!
That’s the takeaway from the first look at “Unhinged,” an upcoming thriller that stars the Oscar-winning “Gladiator” actor as a man who takes road rage to frightening new levels. Crowe appears in the Solstice Studios release alongside Caren Pistorius, who portrays Rachel, a mother who hits the horn at the exact wrong moment. In the first look image, Crowe smolders with the fury of a thousand Maximuses.
“The mark of a great film is one that both entertains and sparks conversation,” director Derrick Borte said. “I believe, in a very terrifying way, ‘Unhinged’ does exactly that.”
Production on the film wraps on Sunday in New Orleans. “Unhinged,” planned for a third quarter 2020 release, marks Solstice Studios’ first production since launching last October. The studio aims to produce between three and five movies per year, with most films carrying budgets between $20 million and $80 million.
That’s the takeaway from the first look at “Unhinged,” an upcoming thriller that stars the Oscar-winning “Gladiator” actor as a man who takes road rage to frightening new levels. Crowe appears in the Solstice Studios release alongside Caren Pistorius, who portrays Rachel, a mother who hits the horn at the exact wrong moment. In the first look image, Crowe smolders with the fury of a thousand Maximuses.
“The mark of a great film is one that both entertains and sparks conversation,” director Derrick Borte said. “I believe, in a very terrifying way, ‘Unhinged’ does exactly that.”
Production on the film wraps on Sunday in New Orleans. “Unhinged,” planned for a third quarter 2020 release, marks Solstice Studios’ first production since launching last October. The studio aims to produce between three and five movies per year, with most films carrying budgets between $20 million and $80 million.
- 8/23/2019
- by Variety Staff
- Variety Film + TV
Jimmi Simpson will play a key role in “Unhinged,” Variety has learned.
He joins an impressive cast that includes Oscar-winner Russell Crowe and Caren Pistorius. Solstice Studios is producing the psychological thriller, which is currently filming in New Orleans.
“Unhinged” centers on a woman named Rachel (Pistorius), who leans on her horn at the wrong time, with the wrong driver (Crowe). According to the logline, “‘Road rage’ doesn’t begin to describe what he’s about to do to her and everyone she knows.”
Simpson is best known for his work on “House of Cards” and “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” as well as for his Emmy Award nominated turn on “Westworld.” He is currently starring opposite Sir Ben Kingsley and Jacki Weaver in “Perpetual Grace, Ltd” and recently finished production on Tate Taylor’s “Breaking News in Yuba County” alongside Allison Janney, Regina Hall, and Mila Kunis. Earlier...
He joins an impressive cast that includes Oscar-winner Russell Crowe and Caren Pistorius. Solstice Studios is producing the psychological thriller, which is currently filming in New Orleans.
“Unhinged” centers on a woman named Rachel (Pistorius), who leans on her horn at the wrong time, with the wrong driver (Crowe). According to the logline, “‘Road rage’ doesn’t begin to describe what he’s about to do to her and everyone she knows.”
Simpson is best known for his work on “House of Cards” and “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” as well as for his Emmy Award nominated turn on “Westworld.” He is currently starring opposite Sir Ben Kingsley and Jacki Weaver in “Perpetual Grace, Ltd” and recently finished production on Tate Taylor’s “Breaking News in Yuba County” alongside Allison Janney, Regina Hall, and Mila Kunis. Earlier...
- 7/17/2019
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Child’s Play star Gabriel Bateman has joined Russell Crowe and Caren Pistorius in the psychological thriller Unhinged from Solstice Studios.
The film, directed by Derrick Borte (American Dreamer), written by Carl Ellsworth and produced by Lisa Ellzey, is being shot in New Orleans.
Unhinged tells the story of Rachel (Pistorius), a mother who leans on her horn at the wrong time, to the wrong guy (Crowe).
Solstice is eyeing a third-quarter 2020 wide U.S. theatrical release.
Bateman also starred in the James Wan-produced Lights Out, and will voice the role of Charlie in the animated film Playmobil: The Movie, opposite ...
The film, directed by Derrick Borte (American Dreamer), written by Carl Ellsworth and produced by Lisa Ellzey, is being shot in New Orleans.
Unhinged tells the story of Rachel (Pistorius), a mother who leans on her horn at the wrong time, to the wrong guy (Crowe).
Solstice is eyeing a third-quarter 2020 wide U.S. theatrical release.
Bateman also starred in the James Wan-produced Lights Out, and will voice the role of Charlie in the animated film Playmobil: The Movie, opposite ...
- 7/17/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Child’s Play star Gabriel Bateman has joined Russell Crowe and Caren Pistorius in the psychological thriller Unhinged from Solstice Studios.
The film, directed by Derrick Borte (American Dreamer), written by Carl Ellsworth and produced by Lisa Ellzey, is being shot in New Orleans.
Unhinged tells the story of Rachel (Pistorius), a mother who leans on her horn at the wrong time, to the wrong guy (Crowe).
Solstice is eyeing a third-quarter 2020 wide U.S. theatrical release.
Bateman also starred in the James Wan-produced Lights Out, and will voice the role of Charlie in the animated film Playmobil: The Movie, opposite ...
The film, directed by Derrick Borte (American Dreamer), written by Carl Ellsworth and produced by Lisa Ellzey, is being shot in New Orleans.
Unhinged tells the story of Rachel (Pistorius), a mother who leans on her horn at the wrong time, to the wrong guy (Crowe).
Solstice is eyeing a third-quarter 2020 wide U.S. theatrical release.
Bateman also starred in the James Wan-produced Lights Out, and will voice the role of Charlie in the animated film Playmobil: The Movie, opposite ...
- 7/17/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Caren Pistorius has landed the lead role opposite Oscar-winner Russell Crowe in Unhinged, the psychological thriller from Solstice Studios and director Derrick Borte.
Unhinged takes an ordinary, everyday incident to its most terrifying conclusion in telling the story of Rachel (Pistorius), a mother who leans on her horn at the wrong time, to the wrong guy (Crowe). “Road rage” doesn’t begin to describe what he’s about to do to her and everyone she knows. The pic, written by Carl Ellsworth stars production tomorrow in New Orleans with Solstice eyeing a third quarter 2020 wide U.S. theatrical release. Lisa Ellzey produces.
Pistorius was most recently seen in Peter Jackson’s Mortal Engines and co-starred with Julianne Moore in Gloria Bell. Prior to that she starred alongside Michael Fassbender in Slow West and The Light Between Two Oceans, as well as opposite Rachel Weisz in Denial.
Unhinged takes an ordinary, everyday incident to its most terrifying conclusion in telling the story of Rachel (Pistorius), a mother who leans on her horn at the wrong time, to the wrong guy (Crowe). “Road rage” doesn’t begin to describe what he’s about to do to her and everyone she knows. The pic, written by Carl Ellsworth stars production tomorrow in New Orleans with Solstice eyeing a third quarter 2020 wide U.S. theatrical release. Lisa Ellzey produces.
Pistorius was most recently seen in Peter Jackson’s Mortal Engines and co-starred with Julianne Moore in Gloria Bell. Prior to that she starred alongside Michael Fassbender in Slow West and The Light Between Two Oceans, as well as opposite Rachel Weisz in Denial.
- 7/15/2019
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Roland Emmerich’s action-packed disaster movie “Moonfall” has been acquired by the joint venture between KKR and Fred Kogel. The unnamed new company, which will emerge from Tele München Group (Tmg), Universum Film, I&U TV and Wiedemann & Berg Film, will handle the theatrical release of “Moonfall” in Germany.
“Moonfall,” which was written by Emmerich, Spenser Cohen (“Extinction”) and Harald Kloser, is one of the several titles picked up by the new German banner rolling off Cannes.
Other films acquired by the joint venture include Robert Lorenz (“Trouble with the Curve”)’s “Minuteman” with Liam Neeson (“Taken”); Philip John (“Outlander”)’s “Let There Be Rock;” Derrick Borte (“American Dreamer”)’s “Unhinged;” and Jon S. Baird’s (“Stan & Ollie”) “Rotchild.”
Written by Chris Charles (“The Small Assassin”) and Danny Kravitz (“Power of Attorney”), “Minuteman” is an adrenaline-charged action thriller in which Neeson (pictured) plays a Vietnam veteran who takes a...
“Moonfall,” which was written by Emmerich, Spenser Cohen (“Extinction”) and Harald Kloser, is one of the several titles picked up by the new German banner rolling off Cannes.
Other films acquired by the joint venture include Robert Lorenz (“Trouble with the Curve”)’s “Minuteman” with Liam Neeson (“Taken”); Philip John (“Outlander”)’s “Let There Be Rock;” Derrick Borte (“American Dreamer”)’s “Unhinged;” and Jon S. Baird’s (“Stan & Ollie”) “Rotchild.”
Written by Chris Charles (“The Small Assassin”) and Danny Kravitz (“Power of Attorney”), “Minuteman” is an adrenaline-charged action thriller in which Neeson (pictured) plays a Vietnam veteran who takes a...
- 5/27/2019
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
After making a Cannes splash with its acquisition of Roland Emmerich’s big budget sci-fi project Moonfall, the newly-formed German indie conglomerate founded by Kkr and Fred Kogel, has confirmed a series of further high-profile pick-ups made on the Croisette. They include Robert Lorenz’s The Minuteman starring Liam Neeson; feel-good comedy Let There Be Rock from UK helmer Philip John; the Lisa Ellzey-produced Unhinged with Russell Crowe; and Rothchild, a black comedy from Jon S Baird that stars Shia Labeouf and Mel Gibson.
The as-yet unnamed German studio, made up of Tele München Group, Universum Film & TV and Wiedemann & Berg Film, aggressively came to market and reps a key new player in the European major which saw a box office downturn in 2018. All of the titles acquired in Cannes will be released theatrically.
CEO Kogel says, “The Cannes Film Festival was the prelude to our purchasing activities with...
The as-yet unnamed German studio, made up of Tele München Group, Universum Film & TV and Wiedemann & Berg Film, aggressively came to market and reps a key new player in the European major which saw a box office downturn in 2018. All of the titles acquired in Cannes will be released theatrically.
CEO Kogel says, “The Cannes Film Festival was the prelude to our purchasing activities with...
- 5/27/2019
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
In a pre-Cannes Film Festival signing, Russell Crowe has come on board “Unhinged,” a psychological road rage thriller which will start production July 15 in New Orleans.
Rights to the film, which is the first Solstice Studios movie to go into production, will go on sale next week at the Cannes Film Festival.
“Unhinged” is directed by Derrick Borte (“American Dreamer”) from a script by Carl Ellsworth. The producer is Lisa Ellzey, who has credits on “Warrior” and “Kingdom of Heaven.” Solstice is targeting a third quarter 2020 wide U.S. theatrical release.
“Unhinged” takes an ordinary, everyday incident to its most terrifying conclusion in telling the story of a mother who leans on her horn at the wrong time, to the wrong guy (played by Crowe).
Crowe won the best actor Academy Award for “Gladiator” and was nominated for his work in “The Insider” and “A Beautiful Mind.” He recently starred...
Rights to the film, which is the first Solstice Studios movie to go into production, will go on sale next week at the Cannes Film Festival.
“Unhinged” is directed by Derrick Borte (“American Dreamer”) from a script by Carl Ellsworth. The producer is Lisa Ellzey, who has credits on “Warrior” and “Kingdom of Heaven.” Solstice is targeting a third quarter 2020 wide U.S. theatrical release.
“Unhinged” takes an ordinary, everyday incident to its most terrifying conclusion in telling the story of a mother who leans on her horn at the wrong time, to the wrong guy (played by Crowe).
Crowe won the best actor Academy Award for “Gladiator” and was nominated for his work in “The Insider” and “A Beautiful Mind.” He recently starred...
- 5/11/2019
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Academy Award winner Russell Crowe will star in “Unhinged,” a psychological thriller which will start production July 15 in New Orleans, Solstice Studios announced on Friday.
The film, which is the first Solstice Studios movie to go into production, is directed by Derrick Borte (“American Dreamer”), written by Carl Ellsworth and produced by Lisa Ellzey.
Solstice is targeting a third-quarter 2020 wide U.S. theatrical release. The company’s international team, led by Acquisitions & International Head Crystal Bourbeau, will be selling the film in Cannes this month.
Also Read: Isla Fisher, Matt Walsh to Star in Comedy 'Unplugging'
“Unhinged” takes an ordinary, everyday incident to its most terrifying conclusion in telling the story of a mother who leans on her horn at the wrong time, to the wrong guy (played by Crowe). “Road rage” doesn’t begin to describe what he’s about to do to her and everyone she knows.
Crowe...
The film, which is the first Solstice Studios movie to go into production, is directed by Derrick Borte (“American Dreamer”), written by Carl Ellsworth and produced by Lisa Ellzey.
Solstice is targeting a third-quarter 2020 wide U.S. theatrical release. The company’s international team, led by Acquisitions & International Head Crystal Bourbeau, will be selling the film in Cannes this month.
Also Read: Isla Fisher, Matt Walsh to Star in Comedy 'Unplugging'
“Unhinged” takes an ordinary, everyday incident to its most terrifying conclusion in telling the story of a mother who leans on her horn at the wrong time, to the wrong guy (played by Crowe). “Road rage” doesn’t begin to describe what he’s about to do to her and everyone she knows.
Crowe...
- 5/11/2019
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
Oscar winner Russell Crowe will star in Unhinged, a psychological thriller that will start production July 15 in New Orleans. The film, which is the first Solstice Studios movie to go into production, is directed by Derrick Borte (American Dreamer), written by Carl Ellsworth and produced by Lisa Ellzey.
Solstice is targeting a wide U.S. theatrical release in Q3 2020. The company’s international team, led by acquisitions and international head Crystal Bourbeau, will be selling the film in Cannes this month.
Unhinged takes an ordinary, everyday incident to its most terrifying conclusion in telling the story of a mother who leans on her horn at the wrong time, to the wrong guy (Crowe).
Crowe was nominated for three consecutive Best Actor Oscars for his work in The Insider, Gladiator and A Beautiful Mind, winning for Gladiator. He recently starred in Boy Erased and...
Solstice is targeting a wide U.S. theatrical release in Q3 2020. The company’s international team, led by acquisitions and international head Crystal Bourbeau, will be selling the film in Cannes this month.
Unhinged takes an ordinary, everyday incident to its most terrifying conclusion in telling the story of a mother who leans on her horn at the wrong time, to the wrong guy (Crowe).
Crowe was nominated for three consecutive Best Actor Oscars for his work in The Insider, Gladiator and A Beautiful Mind, winning for Gladiator. He recently starred in Boy Erased and...
- 5/10/2019
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Solstice Studios has acquired “Unhinged,” a psychological thriller from “Disturbia” screenwriter Carl Ellsworth and “Warrior” producer Lisa Ellzey. The studio is currently out to directors. The script revolves around an extreme case of “road rage.” It’s the story of a mother whose decision to hit her horn upsets the wrong guy and leads to some very violent consequences.
It’s one of the first projects acquired by Solstice, a newcomer to the studio space. It launched in 2018 with the goal of producing three to five films a year that are geared at global audiences and acquiring an additional two to four films annually. Solstice releases will typically carry budgets between $30 million to $80 million. Major studios are steering clear of films in that price range in favor of making even costlier superhero films, leaving a hole that Solstice would like to fill.
The company is led by Mark Gill, the...
It’s one of the first projects acquired by Solstice, a newcomer to the studio space. It launched in 2018 with the goal of producing three to five films a year that are geared at global audiences and acquiring an additional two to four films annually. Solstice releases will typically carry budgets between $30 million to $80 million. Major studios are steering clear of films in that price range in favor of making even costlier superhero films, leaving a hole that Solstice would like to fill.
The company is led by Mark Gill, the...
- 3/20/2019
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Luc Besson’s EuropaCorp saw a spike in Paris trading Thursday morning after reporting reduced losses in its consolidated results for the year ended March 31, 2018. The producer and distributor saw a net loss of 82.5M euros ($95.4M) for the year, down from the record 119.9M euros ($136M) loss it suffered in the comparable 2016/2017 period.
The company also increased cash flow to 105M euros. Although it was a costly gamble that severely under-performed, Valerian And The City Of A Thousand Planets was largely responsible for the uptick, as were the beginnings of a restructure as Europa shifts focus to action and sci-fi properties that have historically made up its core.
Last year at this time, Europa was getting ready to release Valerian, a $200M opus, having screened portions of it at the CineEurope exhibition conference in mid-June (execs did not attend this year). The film then went on to gross about $226M worldwide.
The company also increased cash flow to 105M euros. Although it was a costly gamble that severely under-performed, Valerian And The City Of A Thousand Planets was largely responsible for the uptick, as were the beginnings of a restructure as Europa shifts focus to action and sci-fi properties that have historically made up its core.
Last year at this time, Europa was getting ready to release Valerian, a $200M opus, having screened portions of it at the CineEurope exhibition conference in mid-June (execs did not attend this year). The film then went on to gross about $226M worldwide.
- 6/28/2018
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Longtime EuropaCorp executive Marie-Laure Montironi has left Luc Besson’s company to join Pathe Films as executive vice president of international sales.
Starting June 27, Montironi will succeed Muriel Sauzay, who left Pathe at the beginning of the year. Montironi worked at EuropaCorp for 10 years, first as co-head of international sales and then as chief sales officer.
She previously worked at deputy head of TV and films sales at M6 and as acquisition manager at Télé Images International.
While at EuropaCorp, Montironi sold worldwide action-packed franchises such as “Taken” and “Transporter,” science-fiction films such as “Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets,” and French movies such as “CoExister” and “Little White Lies.”
Montironi is the latest in a string of executives who have exited EuropaCorp within the last year. The company’s former CEO Marc Shmuger, deputy CEO Edouard de Vesinne and chief of U.S. film production Lisa Ellzey...
Starting June 27, Montironi will succeed Muriel Sauzay, who left Pathe at the beginning of the year. Montironi worked at EuropaCorp for 10 years, first as co-head of international sales and then as chief sales officer.
She previously worked at deputy head of TV and films sales at M6 and as acquisition manager at Télé Images International.
While at EuropaCorp, Montironi sold worldwide action-packed franchises such as “Taken” and “Transporter,” science-fiction films such as “Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets,” and French movies such as “CoExister” and “Little White Lies.”
Montironi is the latest in a string of executives who have exited EuropaCorp within the last year. The company’s former CEO Marc Shmuger, deputy CEO Edouard de Vesinne and chief of U.S. film production Lisa Ellzey...
- 6/1/2018
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
International sales exec Marie-Laure Montironi is exiting EuropaCorp and moving to Pathe where she will take up the post of Executive Vice President International Sales. Montironi is succeeding sales vet Muriel Sauzay who left Pathé back in January. She officially starts on June 27.
Montironi spent a decade at Luc Besson’s Europa and now becomes the latest key exec to leave. She joined as co-head of the international division in 2008 and became Chief Sales Officer in 2010. Prior to Europa, she was Deputy Director of sales for TV and features at M6 and International Sales and Acquisitions Manager at Télé Images (now Banijay Group).
Montironi’s departure from Europa follows that of U.S. film production president Lisa Ellzey who left in March and CEO Marc Shmuger who exited at the end of December.
Europa has had a bumpy ride in the past year coming off the costly gamble of Valerian...
Montironi spent a decade at Luc Besson’s Europa and now becomes the latest key exec to leave. She joined as co-head of the international division in 2008 and became Chief Sales Officer in 2010. Prior to Europa, she was Deputy Director of sales for TV and features at M6 and International Sales and Acquisitions Manager at Télé Images (now Banijay Group).
Montironi’s departure from Europa follows that of U.S. film production president Lisa Ellzey who left in March and CEO Marc Shmuger who exited at the end of December.
Europa has had a bumpy ride in the past year coming off the costly gamble of Valerian...
- 6/1/2018
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
U.S. film production head Lisa Ellzey is the latest top executive at Luc Besson's EuropaCorp to leave as the French-based studio cuts costs and refocuses on core business activities after the box-office failure of Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets.
"Lisa's contract wasn't renewed. EuropaCorp has a reduced slate that has fewer films and most of the films relate to Luc [Besson] written or directed projects," a company spokesman told The Hollywood Reporter.
Ellzey, an Emmy-winning producer, joined EuropaCorp in 2013 as executive vp U.S. motion picture production, based in Los Angeles, as Besson looked to increase...
"Lisa's contract wasn't renewed. EuropaCorp has a reduced slate that has fewer films and most of the films relate to Luc [Besson] written or directed projects," a company spokesman told The Hollywood Reporter.
Ellzey, an Emmy-winning producer, joined EuropaCorp in 2013 as executive vp U.S. motion picture production, based in Los Angeles, as Besson looked to increase...
- 3/14/2018
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
EuropaCorp U.S. film production president Lisa Ellzey is the latest in a string of executive departures at Luc Besson’s flailing EuropaCorp, which since biting the dust with the ambitious Valerian continues to scratch its way to survival. Deadline confirmed her exit this morning which is part of EuropaCorp’s plan for a reduced slate going forward. There’s only a few executives left in EuropaCorp’s U.S. operations including COO Kevin McDonald and Matthew Gross, president…...
- 3/14/2018
- Deadline
The company is partnering with All Nippon Entertainment Works (Anew), Nippon Television and Chris and Paul Weitz’s production company Depth Of Field.
EuropaCorp holds worldwide rights and will join its partners to develop, finance and produce the English-language remake of Takashi Miike’s Japanese thriller and 2013 Cannes competition selection.
Shield Of Straw centres on five police officers tasked with protecting a killer who has been targeted by his victim’s wealthy grandfather.
Olympus Has Fallen and London Has Fallen screenwriters Creighton Rothenberger and Katrin Benedikt are writing the screenplay.
The producer of the original work, Nippon TV’s Naoaki Kitazima, reprises his role alongside Depth Of Field’s Chris Weitz, Andrew Miano and Dan Balgoyen, and Anew CEO Sandy Climan and EuropaCorp.
“We are thrilled at the prospect of bringing the remake of the Japanese thriller Shield Of Straw to American audiences and the worldwide market,” said EuropaCorp president Lisa Ellzey, who made Monday...
EuropaCorp holds worldwide rights and will join its partners to develop, finance and produce the English-language remake of Takashi Miike’s Japanese thriller and 2013 Cannes competition selection.
Shield Of Straw centres on five police officers tasked with protecting a killer who has been targeted by his victim’s wealthy grandfather.
Olympus Has Fallen and London Has Fallen screenwriters Creighton Rothenberger and Katrin Benedikt are writing the screenplay.
The producer of the original work, Nippon TV’s Naoaki Kitazima, reprises his role alongside Depth Of Field’s Chris Weitz, Andrew Miano and Dan Balgoyen, and Anew CEO Sandy Climan and EuropaCorp.
“We are thrilled at the prospect of bringing the remake of the Japanese thriller Shield Of Straw to American audiences and the worldwide market,” said EuropaCorp president Lisa Ellzey, who made Monday...
- 10/24/2016
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Kevin Spacey is trapped in the body of a cat in the first official trailer for “Nine Lives.” Director Barry Sonnenfeld‘s latest comedy revolves around a workaholic businessman (Spacey) who suffers a terrible accident that leaves him trapped in the body of the family cat. Jennifer Garner, Malina Weissman, Cheryl Hines, Christopher Walken, and Robbie Amell co-star in what Sonnenfeld has described as a “funny, emotional, commercial comedy.” Also Read: Kevin Spacey to Star in Barry Sonnenfeld's Comedy 'Nine Lives' (Exclusive) Daniel Antoniazzi and Ben Shiffrin wrote the script for the EuropaCorp production, which will be shepherded by its U.
- 1/28/2016
- by Beatrice Verhoeven
- The Wrap
Two-time Oscar winner Kevin Spacey has closed a deal to star in Barry Sonnenfeld’s high-concept comedy “Nine Lives,” which is set up at EuropaCorp, TheWrap has learned.
Daniel Antoniazzi and Ben Shiffrin wrote the script, which Sonnenfeld has described as a “funny, emotional, commercial comedy.”
Also Read: ‘House of Cards’ Season 3 Trailer: Kevin Spacey, Robin Wright Are ‘Murderers’ (Video)
Spacey will star as a workaholic businessman who suffers a terrible accident that leaves him trapped in the body of the family cat.
EuropaCorp is financing and producing the film, which will be shepherded by its U.S. film president Lisa Ellzey.
Daniel Antoniazzi and Ben Shiffrin wrote the script, which Sonnenfeld has described as a “funny, emotional, commercial comedy.”
Also Read: ‘House of Cards’ Season 3 Trailer: Kevin Spacey, Robin Wright Are ‘Murderers’ (Video)
Spacey will star as a workaholic businessman who suffers a terrible accident that leaves him trapped in the body of the family cat.
EuropaCorp is financing and producing the film, which will be shepherded by its U.S. film president Lisa Ellzey.
- 1/28/2015
- by Jeff Sneider
- The Wrap
Exclusive: After EuropaCorp generated another hit in Taken 3, Luc Besson and Christophe Lambert’s company has hired Barry Sonnenfeld to direct Nine Lives, a high-concept comedy scripted by Daniel Antoniazzi and Ben Shiffrin. The film is about a workaholic businessman who has to figure his way out of a dilemma: A terrible accident leaves him trapped in the body of the family cat. Pic’s being shepherded by EuropaCorp U.S. film president Lisa Ellzey.
The film will be financed and produced by EuropaCorp and will be one of the early releases through Red, the distribution pipeline that EuropaCorp co-owns with Relativity. The distribution venture gets underway with The Transporter Legacy, with the Steven Quale-directed The Lake and the Naomi Watts starrer Shut In coming right behind.
“I’m very excited to be working with Christophe, Lisa, Luc and the rest of the EuropaCorp team on this funny,...
The film will be financed and produced by EuropaCorp and will be one of the early releases through Red, the distribution pipeline that EuropaCorp co-owns with Relativity. The distribution venture gets underway with The Transporter Legacy, with the Steven Quale-directed The Lake and the Naomi Watts starrer Shut In coming right behind.
“I’m very excited to be working with Christophe, Lisa, Luc and the rest of the EuropaCorp team on this funny,...
- 1/13/2015
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline
Open Road Films has acquired Us rights to the supernatural thriller financed by Voltage Pictures and will release nationwide in the first quarter 2015.
Testament centres on a group of boarding school teenagers who face a chain of apocalyptic events that stem from Biblical stories.
Production is scheduled to begin in March 2014. Casting is underway and Eric Bress of The Butterfly Effect will direct from his own screenplay.
Voltage president Chartier (pictured) and head of production Zev Foreman negotiated the deal with Open Road CEO Tom Ortenberg and his team and will produce. Lisa Ellzey and Patrick Newall serve as executive producers.
Adopt Films has acquired all Us rights to Vinko Brešan’s comedy The Priest’s Children and plans a late winter / early spring 2014 release.
Testament centres on a group of boarding school teenagers who face a chain of apocalyptic events that stem from Biblical stories.
Production is scheduled to begin in March 2014. Casting is underway and Eric Bress of The Butterfly Effect will direct from his own screenplay.
Voltage president Chartier (pictured) and head of production Zev Foreman negotiated the deal with Open Road CEO Tom Ortenberg and his team and will produce. Lisa Ellzey and Patrick Newall serve as executive producers.
Adopt Films has acquired all Us rights to Vinko Brešan’s comedy The Priest’s Children and plans a late winter / early spring 2014 release.
- 9/4/2013
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Open Road Films has acquired U.S. rights to Testament, a supernatural thriller that will begin production in March, with The Butterfly Effect helmer Eric Bress directing his script. Open Road will release the Voltage Pictures-financed film in early 2015. The deal was made by Open Road CEO Tom Ortenberg and Voltage Pictures president Nicolas Chartier, the latter of whom will produce with Voltage production head Zev Foreman. Lisa Ellzey and Patrick Newall will executive produce. Production is slated to begin March 2014. The thriller takes place at a prestigious boarding school in a remote part of Texas and revolves around a science teacher and his students who are forced to fight for their lives when the Ten Plagues of the Old Testament descend not only on the town, but the entire world. It starts with blood filling the school’s swimming pool — as fast as it fills rivers, lakes...
- 9/3/2013
- by MIKE FLEMING JR
- Deadline
Open Road Films has acquired the U.S. rights to the epic supernatural thriller Testament . Financed by Voltage Pictures, Open Road Films will release the film nationwide in First Quarter 2015. The deal was announced today by Tom Ortenberg, CEO of Open Road Films and Nicolas Chartier, President of Voltage Pictures. Chartier produces along with Voltage's head of production Zev Foreman. Lisa Ellzey and Patrick Newall will executive produce. Production is slated to begin March 2014. Testament focuses on a prestigious boarding school's science teacher and his students in a remote part of Texas where life is pretty ordinary for this small, tight-knit community. But when the Ten Plagues of the Old Testament descend not only on the town, but the entire world, the teacher and his...
- 9/3/2013
- Comingsoon.net
Open Road Films has acquired Us rights to the supernatural thriller financed by Voltage Pictures and will release nationwide in the first quarter 2015.
Testament centres on a group of boarding school teenagers who face a chain of apocalyptic events that stem from Biblical stories.
Production is scheduled to begin in March 2014. Casting is underway and Eric Bress of The Butterfly Effect will direct from his own screenplay.
Voltage president Nicholas Chartier (pictured) and head of production Zev Foreman negotiated the deal with Open Road CEO Tom Ortenberg and his team and will produce. Lisa Ellzey and Patrick Newall serve as executive producers.
Adopt Films has acquired all Us rights to Vinko Brešan’s comedy The Priest’s Children and plans a late winter / early spring 2014 release.
Testament centres on a group of boarding school teenagers who face a chain of apocalyptic events that stem from Biblical stories.
Production is scheduled to begin in March 2014. Casting is underway and Eric Bress of The Butterfly Effect will direct from his own screenplay.
Voltage president Nicholas Chartier (pictured) and head of production Zev Foreman negotiated the deal with Open Road CEO Tom Ortenberg and his team and will produce. Lisa Ellzey and Patrick Newall serve as executive producers.
Adopt Films has acquired all Us rights to Vinko Brešan’s comedy The Priest’s Children and plans a late winter / early spring 2014 release.
- 9/3/2013
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
It has been announced that Wanted and Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter director Timur Bekmambetov is putting together a new project that revolves around flesh-eating squirrels:
“Red Sea Media is in the process of assembling a strong slate for the upcoming Marché du Film, including Squirrels, a new horror-thriller that the company has just acquired international sales rights for from Bazelevs, Timur Bekmambetov’s production company. Bekmambetov is best known as director of the hit international films Night Watch, Wanted and Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. The film was written by Daniel Antoniazzi & Ben Shiffrin, based on an idea by Bekmambetov. Lisa Ellzey and Michele Wolkoff are executive producers. The production is currently setting a director, with an A-list cast expected to sign shortly. The Red Sea sales office at the Marché du Film will be located at the Lerins venue, booth #R19. Additional sales titles from the company will be announced in the coming days.
“Red Sea Media is in the process of assembling a strong slate for the upcoming Marché du Film, including Squirrels, a new horror-thriller that the company has just acquired international sales rights for from Bazelevs, Timur Bekmambetov’s production company. Bekmambetov is best known as director of the hit international films Night Watch, Wanted and Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. The film was written by Daniel Antoniazzi & Ben Shiffrin, based on an idea by Bekmambetov. Lisa Ellzey and Michele Wolkoff are executive producers. The production is currently setting a director, with an A-list cast expected to sign shortly. The Red Sea sales office at the Marché du Film will be located at the Lerins venue, booth #R19. Additional sales titles from the company will be announced in the coming days.
- 5/11/2013
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
Sometimes a project will come across our desk that has us grinning from ear-to-ear. This is one of those times. Read on for the first details and art for the best project announcement of the day!
From the Press Release
Red Sea Media is in the process of assembling a strong slate for the upcoming Marché du Film, including Squirrels, a new horror-thriller that the company has just acquired international sales rights for from Bazelevs, Timur Bekmambetov’s production company. Bekmambetov is best known as director of the hit international films Night Watch, Wanted and Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. The film was written by Daniel Antoniazzi and Ben Shiffrin, based on an idea by Bekmambetov. Lisa Ellzey and Michele Wolkoff are executive producers. The production is currently setting a director, with an A-list cast expected to sign shortly. The Red Sea sales office at the Marché du Film will be located at the Lerins venue,...
From the Press Release
Red Sea Media is in the process of assembling a strong slate for the upcoming Marché du Film, including Squirrels, a new horror-thriller that the company has just acquired international sales rights for from Bazelevs, Timur Bekmambetov’s production company. Bekmambetov is best known as director of the hit international films Night Watch, Wanted and Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. The film was written by Daniel Antoniazzi and Ben Shiffrin, based on an idea by Bekmambetov. Lisa Ellzey and Michele Wolkoff are executive producers. The production is currently setting a director, with an A-list cast expected to sign shortly. The Red Sea sales office at the Marché du Film will be located at the Lerins venue,...
- 5/11/2013
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
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