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Spyglass Media Group

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Spyglass Media Group, LLC
Spyglass Media Group
FormerlySpyglass Entertainment (1998–2012)
Company typePrivate
Industry
PredecessorsCaravan Pictures
The Weinstein Company
Dimension Films (post-2005)
FoundedAugust 21, 1998; 26 years ago (1998-08-21) (original)
March 13, 2019; 5 years ago (2019-03-13) (relaunch)
FoundersGary Barber
Roger Birnbaum
DefunctFebruary 10, 2012; 12 years ago (2012-02-10) (original)
HeadquartersCentury City,
Los Angeles, California
,
United States[1]
Key people
  • Gary Barber (Chairman & CEO)[1]
  • Lauren Whitney (president, TV)[2]
  • Damien Marin (president, worldwide distribution and acquisitions)[3]
Products
Owners
Websitespyglassmediagroup.com

Spyglass Media Group, LLC (formerly Spyglass Entertainment) is an independent film and television production and finance company founded by Gary Barber and Roger Birnbaum in 1998.

History

Spyglass Entertainment

On August 21, 1998, Gary Barber, former vice chairman and COO of Morgan Creek Productions, together with Roger Birnbaum, co-founder and former head of Caravan Pictures, founded Spyglass Entertainment. The startup company signed a five-year distribution agreement with the Walt Disney Studios, which took an equity stake.

Birnbaum previously left Caravan at the prompting of then Disney studio chief Joe Roth; with Disney cutting its yearly production output, Roth recommended forming a self-financing production firm similar to New Regency Productions. After Caravan's remaining three films were released, Caravan went inactive.

Its slate of film projects and an initial financial advance of $10 million to $20 million against future overages were also contributed by Disney.[5] Spyglass's operations were formed and based at the Disney lot in Burbank.

On October 29, 1998, European media conglomerates Kirch Group and Mediaset invested in theatrical, video and television distribution rights to between 15 and 25 films in Germany, Italy, Spain, Poland and the former Soviet Union for over five years.[6] M. Night Shyamalan's The Sixth Sense (released 1999), Spyglass's second film after Instinct, grossed $661 million at the global box office.[7]

By May 23, 2000, Disney took a 10% equity stake in Spyglass, along with Svensk Filmindustri of Scandinavia and Lusomundo of Portugal.[8][9] On March 7, 2003, Spyglass Entertainment agreed to a four-year distribution output deal with Village Roadshow for Australia, New Zealand and Greece.[10]

On August 6, 2002, Spyglass Entertainment launched a television division, and it was focused on small screen projects. One of its projects was the short-lived series Miracles.[11] That same year, it attempted to merge with smaller independent distributor Intermedia, but it failed.[12]

In December 2003, Spyglass ended its deal with Disney and agreed to a four-year first-look non-exclusive co-financing and production deal with DreamWorks. This deal was never finalized and the relationship was not working well. Thus on September 23, 2003, Spyglass instead made a similar deal with Sony Pictures. Spyglass did not move to the Sony lot, but to Murdoch Plaza in Westwood, Los Angeles.[7]

By March 25, 2010, Spyglass was acquired by Cerberus Capital Management.[13]

On December 20, 2010, Gary Barber and Roger Birnbaum became co-chairmen and CEOs of the holding company of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), which had at that time recently emerged from bankruptcy. The original plan had the Spyglass library being added to MGM, but it was later removed from the plan.[14]

Spyglass Media Group

On March 13, 2019, Barber and Lantern Entertainment revived the company as Spyglass Media Group, bringing in Eagle Pictures and Cineworld as investors. Lantern made a majority investment and also transferred its film library and rights to Miramax film sequels to the Spyglass. Barber owns the Spyglass trademark and the sequel and remake rights to the old Spyglass library, which he has contributed. The company plans to produce content for all platforms.[1][15] Spyglass closed the former Lantern Entertainment/TWC office in New York City while laying off 15 staff members across divisions.[16]

On April 1, 2019, Lauren Whitney, the president of television for Miramax, took on the same position for Spyglass.[2] Damien Marin followed Barber from MGM to be appointed Spyglass president of worldwide distribution and acquisitions on September 3, 2019.[3]

On April 16, 2019, Warner Bros. bought an equity stake in Spyglass, which signed a first-look deal with the studio.[17] Spyglass was involved on August 1, 2019, in a potential purchase of part of Miramax but dropped out in two weeks.[18][19]

Spyglass's first greenlit film since its revival is a revival of the Hellraiser franchise announced on May 6, 2019.[20] With the company winning the rights to Stephen King's The Institute book in November 2019, Jack Bender and David E. Kelley were paired to development and produce the book as a mini-series. Also, Bender was signed by Spyglass to a television first-look deal.[21]

MGM President of Physical Production Peter Oillataguerre was appointed President of Production for Spyglass Media Group reporting to Barber. He left in September 2023 for Amazon MGM Studios.[22]

On July 15, 2021, Lionsgate acquired 200 films from The Weinstein Company's film library for $191.4 million, which until then had been owned by Spyglass, with Lionsgate getting an 18.9% equity stake in Spyglass and Spyglass getting a first look TV deal with Lionsgate Television.[4][23]

On September 7 2022, Cineworld which acts a minority investor in Spyglass filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. On July 31, 2023, Cineworld entered administration in the UK. That same day, Cineworld emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy after slashing billions of dollars in debt and the much-needed boost from the Barbenheimer box office success.

Foreign distributors

Production filmography

As Spyglass Entertainment

1990s

Title Release date Distributor Notes Budget Gross
Instinct June 4, 1999 Buena Vista Pictures Released through Disney label Touchstone Pictures; co-production with Barbara Boyle/Michael Taylor Productions; first film $80 million $34.1 million
The Sixth Sense August 6, 1999 Released through Disney label Hollywood Pictures; co-production with The Kennedy/Marshall Company and Barry Mendel Productions $40 million $672.8 million
The Insider November 5, 1999 Released through Disney label Touchstone Pictures; co-production with Forward Pass and Eric Roth Productions $68 million $60.2 million

2000s

Title Release date Distributor Notes Budget Gross
Mission to Mars March 10, 2000 Buena Vista Pictures Released through Disney label Touchstone Pictures; co-production with Jacobson Company $100 million $111 million
Keeping the Faith April 14, 2000 Released through Disney label Touchstone Pictures; co-production with Birnbaum/Barber Productions, Koch Co., Blumberg/Norton Productions and Triple Threat Talent $29 million $59.9 million
Shanghai Noon May 26, 2000 Released through Disney label Touchstone Pictures; co-production with Birnbaum/Barber Productions and Jackie Chan Films Ltd. $55 million $100.5 million
Out Cold November 21, 2001 Released through Disney label Touchstone Pictures; co-production with Birnbaum/Barber Productions and The Donners' Company $24 million $14.8 million
The Count of Monte Cristo January 25, 2002 Released through Disney label Touchstone Pictures; co-production with Birnbaum/Barber Productions $35 million $75.4 million
Dragonfly February 22, 2002 Universal Pictures co-production with Gran Via Productions and Shady Acres Entertainment; international distribution through Buena Vista International $60 million $52.3 million
Reign of Fire July 12, 2002 Buena Vista Pictures Released through Disney label Touchstone Pictures; co-production with Birnbaum/Barber Productions and The Zanuck Company $60 million $82.2 million
Abandon October 18, 2002 Paramount Pictures co-production with Lynda Obst Productions; international distribution through Buena Vista International $25 million $12.3 million
The Recruit January 31, 2003 Buena Vista Pictures Released through Disney label Touchstone Pictures; co-production with Birnbaum/Barber Productions and Epsilon Motion Pictures $46 million $101.2 million
Shanghai Knights February 7, 2003 Released through Disney label Touchstone Pictures; co-production with Birnbaum/Barber Productions and Jackie Chan Films Ltd. $50 million $88.3 million
Bruce Almighty May 23, 2003 Universal Pictures co-production with Shady Acres Entertainment and Pit Bull Productions; international distribution through Buena Vista International $81 million $484.6 million
Seabiscuit July 25, 2003 co-production with DreamWorks Pictures, The Kennedy/Marshall Company and Larger Than Life Productions; international distribution through Buena Vista International $87 million $148.3 million
Connie and Carla April 16, 2004 co-production with Birnbaum/Barber Productions $27 million $11.3 million
Mr. 3000 September 17, 2004 Buena Vista Pictures Released through Disney label Touchstone Pictures; co-production with Dimension Films, Birnbaum/Barber Productions and The Kennedy/Marshall Company $30 million $21.8 million
The Pacifier March 4, 2005 Released through Disney label Walt Disney Pictures; co-production with Birnbaum/Barber Productions $56 million $198.6 million
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy April 29, 2005 Released through Disney label Touchstone Pictures; co-production with Birnbaum/Barber Productions, Hammer & Tongs and Everyman Pictures $45–50 million $104.5 million
The Legend of Zorro October 28, 2005 Sony Pictures Releasing Released through Sony label Columbia Pictures; co-production with Amblin Entertainment and Parkes/MacDonald Productions $65 million $142.4 million
Memoirs of a Geisha December 9, 2005 Released through Sony label Columbia Pictures; co-production with DreamWorks Pictures, Amblin Entertainment and Red Wagon Entertainment $85 million $162.2 million
Eight Below February 17, 2006 Buena Vista Pictures Released through Disney label Walt Disney Pictures; co-production with Mandeville Films and The Kennedy/Marshall Company $40 million $120.5 million
Stay Alive March 24, 2006 Released through Disney label Hollywood Pictures; co-production with Endgame Entertainment, Wonderland Sound and Vision and Birnbaum/Barber Productions; international distribution through Universal Pictures $20 million $27.1 million
Stick It April 28, 2006 Released through Disney label Touchstone Pictures; co-production with Birnbaum/Barber Productions, Gail Lyon Productions and Jessica Bendinger Productions $20 million $31.9 million
The Lookout March 30, 2007 Released through Disney label Miramax Films; co-production with Laurence Mark Productions, Parkes-MacDonald Productions and Birnbaum/Barber Productions $16 million $5.4 million
The Invisible April 27, 2007 Released through Disney label Hollywood Pictures, co-production with Birnbaum/Barber Productions and MacariEdelstein Productions N/A $26.8 million
Evan Almighty June 22, 2007 Universal Pictures co-production with Relativity Media, Original Film, Shady Acres Entertainment and Birnbaum/Barber Productions $175 million $173.4 million
Underdog August 3, 2007 Buena Vista Pictures Released through Disney label Walt Disney Pictures; co-production with Birnbaum/Barber Productions, Jay Polstein Productions and Classic Media $25 million $65.3 million
Balls of Fury August 29, 2007 Focus Features co-production with Rogue Pictures, Intrepid Pictures and Birnbaum/Barber Productions N/A $41.1 million
27 Dresses January 18, 2008 20th Century Fox Released through Fox label Fox 2000 Pictures; co-production with Birnbaum/Barber Productions and Dune Entertainment III, LLC $30 million $160.3 million
Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins February 8, 2008 Universal Pictures co-production with Stuber-Parent Productions $35 million $43.6 million
The Ruins April 4, 2008 Paramount Pictures Released through Paramount label DreamWorks Pictures; co-production with Red Hour Films $25 million $22.3 million
The Happening June 13, 2008 20th Century Fox co-production with Dune Entertainment, UTV Motion Pictures and Blinding Edge Pictures $48 million $163.4 million
The Love Guru June 20, 2008 Paramount Pictures co-production with Nomoneyfun Films and Michael de Luca Productions $62 million $40.9 million
Wanted June 27, 2008 Universal Pictures co-production with Relativity Media, Marc Platt Productions, Kickstart Productions and Top Cow Productions $75 million $341.4 million
Ghost Town September 19, 2008 Paramount Pictures Released through Paramount label DreamWorks Pictures; co-production with Pariah $20 million $27.1 million
Flash of Genius October 3, 2008 Universal Pictures co-production with Strike Entertainment $20 million $4.8 million
Four Christmases November 26, 2008 New Line Cinema co-production with Wild West Picture Show Productions and Type A Films $80 million $163.7 million
Star Trek May 8, 2009 Paramount Pictures co-production with Bad Robot Productions $150 million $385.7 million
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra August 7, 2009 co-production with Hasbro and di Bonaventura Pictures $175 million $302.5 million
Invictus December 30, 2009 Warner Bros. Pictures co-production with Revelations Entertainment, Mace Neufeld Productions and Malpaso Productions $50–60 million $122.2 million

2010s

Title Release date Distributor Notes Budget Gross
Leap Year[25] January 8, 2010 Universal Pictures co-production with BenderSpink and Birnbaum/Barber Productions $19 million $32.6 million
Get Him to the Greek[26] June 4, 2010 co-production with Relativity Media and Apatow Productions $40 million $91.3 million
Dinner for Schmucks[27] July 30, 2010 Paramount Pictures co-production with DreamWorks Pictures, Parkes/MacDonald Productions, Reliance Big Pictures and Everyman Pictures $69 million $86.9 million
The Tourist[28] December 10, 2010 Sony Pictures Releasing Released through Sony label Columbia Pictures; co-production with GK Films and StudioCanal $100 million $278.3 million
The Dilemma[29] January 14, 2011 Universal Pictures co-production with Imagine Entertainment and Wild West Picture Show Productions $70 million $69.7 million
No Strings Attached[30] January 21, 2011 Paramount Pictures Released through Paramount label DW Studios, co-production with Cold Spring Pictures and The Montecito Picture Company $25 million $149.2 million
Footloose[31] October 14, 2011 co-production with MTV Films, Dylan Sellers Productions, Zadan/Meron Productions and Weston Pictures $24 million $63.5 million
The Vow[32] February 10, 2012 Sony Pictures Releasing Released through Sony label Screen Gems; co-production with Birnbaum/Barber Productions; final film $30 million $196.1 million

As Spyglass Media Group

2020s

Title Release date Distributor Notes
Scream[33] January 14, 2022 Paramount Pictures co-production with Radio Silence Productions and Project X Entertainment[34]
Hellraiser[20][35] October 7, 2022 Hulu co-production with Phantom Four Films and 20th Century Studios; international distribution through Paramount Pictures
Scream VI[36] March 10, 2023 Paramount Pictures co-production with Radio Silence Productions and Project X Entertainment
Spy Kids: Armageddon[37][38] September 22, 2023 Netflix[39] co-production with Skydance Media and Troublemaker Studios
Thanksgiving[40] November 17, 2023[41] Sony Pictures Releasing co-production with TriStar Pictures, Dragonfly Entertainment and Electromagnetic Productions[42]
The Boys in the Boat[43] December 25, 2023 Amazon MGM Studios co-production with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Smokehouse Pictures; international distribution through Warner Bros. Pictures; on-screen credit only

In development

Title Distributor Notes
Deadpoint[44] TBA co-production with Good Fear Content
Knight Rider[45] TBA co-production with Atomic Monster
Perfect Strangers[46] TBA co-production with Eagle Pictures, 3 Marys Entertainment and Hoorae
Short Circuit[47] TBA co-production with Project X Entertainment and Rehab Entertainment
Incoming Netflix[48] co-production with Artists Road[49]

References

  1. ^ a b c Lang, Brent (March 13, 2019). "Gary Barber Teams With Lantern Entertainment to Launch Spyglass Media Group". Variety. Retrieved March 13, 2019.
  2. ^ a b Otterson, Joe (March 25, 2019). "Miramax President of TV Lauren Whitney Exits to Join Spyglass Media Group". Variety. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
  3. ^ a b Lang, Brent (September 3, 2019). "Spyglass Taps Damien Marin as Distribution and Acquisitions President". Variety. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
  4. ^ a b Maddaus, Gene (15 July 2021). "Lionsgate Acquires Bulk of Weinstein Film Library in Spyglass Deal". Variety. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  5. ^ Eller, Clauida (August 21, 1998). "Spyglass Offers Disney Lower-Risk Deals". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 10 April 2019.
  6. ^ Mattzer, Marla (October 29, 1998). "European Firms to Invest in Spyglass". Los Angeles Times. p. C4. Retrieved 10 April 2019.
  7. ^ a b Dunkley, Cathy; Brodesser, Claude (September 23, 2003). "Spyglass splits". Variety. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
  8. ^ Eller, Claudia (May 23, 2000). "Spyglass Hopes for More Good 'Sense' in Future Projects". Los Angeles Times. p. C1. Retrieved 10 April 2019.
  9. ^ Eller, Claudia (December 10, 2002). "Spyglass Signs Deal With DreamWorks". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 10 April 2019.
  10. ^ a b Dunkley, Cathy (March 7, 2003). "Roadshow taking Spyglass pix to Oz". Variety. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
  11. ^ Adalian, Josef (2002-08-06). "Spyglass spiesTV prospects". Variety. Retrieved 2020-05-15.
  12. ^ Harris, Dana; Meza, Ed (2002-03-13). "Intermedia/Spyglass: A split decision". Variety. Retrieved 2020-05-15.
  13. ^ Ross, Casey (25 March 2010). "Cerberus's success hurt by a pair of gambles". Boston.com.
  14. ^ McNary, Dave (20 December 2010). "MGM restructuring becomes official". Variety. Retrieved 10 April 2019.
  15. ^ Kilday, Gregg (March 13, 2019). "Gary Barber's Spyglass Media Group Takes Control of Former Weinstein Co. Assets". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
  16. ^ Friedman, Ryan (March 20, 2019). "Gary Barber's Spyglass Media Group Lays Off 15, Closes Lantern Entertainment's NYC Office". WrapPRO. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  17. ^ Lang, Brent (April 16, 2019). "Warner Bros. Invests in Spyglass Media". Variety. Retrieved April 18, 2019.
  18. ^ Mullin, Benjamin; Schwartzel, Erich (August 1, 2019). "Lions Gate, Spyglass Media, Viacom Are Leading Contenders to Buy Stake in Miramax". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
  19. ^ Sakoui, Anoshua (August 19, 2019). "Viacom and Lionsgate Go Head-to-Head in Fight for Miramax Stake". Bloomberg. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
  20. ^ a b McNary, Dave (May 6, 2019). "'Hellraiser' Revival in the Works With 'Dark Knight' Writer David S. Goyer". Variety. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
  21. ^ Thorne, Will (September 10, 2019). "David E. Kelley, Jack Bender Developing Stephen King's 'The Institute' as Limited Series". Variety. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
  22. ^ McNary, Dave (April 20, 2020). "Spyglass Hires MGM Veteran Peter Oillataguerre as President of Production". Variety. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  23. ^ Hayden, Erik (5 August 2022). "Lionsgate Discloses Price Tag for Spyglass Media Deal". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  24. ^ Carver, Benedict (13 May 1999). "Spyglass pix bonded". Variety. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  25. ^ "Leap Year (2010)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved May 31, 2018.
  26. ^ Rechtshaffen, Michael (October 14, 2010). "Get Him to the Greek – Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 31, 2018.
  27. ^ "Dinner for Schmucks (2010)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved May 31, 2018.
  28. ^ McCarthy, Todd (December 8, 2010). "Todd McCarthy's Review of 'The Tourist' With Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 31, 2018.
  29. ^ "The Dilemma". ComingSoon.net. CraveOnline. Retrieved January 10, 2011.
  30. ^ McCarthy, Todd (January 16, 2011). "Film Review: 'No Strings Attached' Is Cutesy, Nowhere Near Hot Enough". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 31, 2018.
  31. ^ "Footloose (2011)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved May 31, 2018.
  32. ^ "The Vow (2012)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved May 31, 2018.
  33. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (August 28, 2020). "'Scream' Relaunch Eyes 2022 Release, 'Snake Eyes' Rolls To 2021 & More – Paramount Release Date Changes". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
  34. ^ Kroll, Justin (June 24, 2020). "New 'Scream' Movie From Spyglass Media Will Be Released by Paramount (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  35. ^ Kit, Borys (April 10, 2020). "Spyglass' 'Hellraiser' Reboot Finds Its Writing/Directing Team (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
  36. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (March 18, 2022). "'Scream' Sequel & Bob Marley Biopic Theatrical Release Dates Set By Paramount". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  37. ^ Kroll, Justin (January 26, 2021). "Skydance Media To Reimagine The 'Spy Kids' Franchise With Spyglass Media And Series Creator Robert Rodriguez". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
  38. ^ "Production Weekly – Issue 1300 – Thursday, May 26, 2022 / 17 Listings – 38 Pages". Production Weekly. May 25, 2022. Archived from the original on June 7, 2022. Retrieved June 9, 2022.
  39. ^ Grobar, Matt (March 30, 2022). "'Spy Kids' Franchise Reimagining In Works At Netflix; Robert Rodriguez Returning To Mount Next Film For Skydance, Spyglass". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
  40. ^ Kroll, Justin (23 February 2023). "Addison Rae Lands Lead Role In Eli Roth's 'Thanksgiving' For Spyglass Media". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  41. ^ McCall, Kevin (2023-04-03). "Eli Roth's 'Thanksgiving' Horror Movie Sets Holiday Release Date". Collider. Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  42. ^ Kroll, Justin (9 March 2023). "TriStar Pictures Lands 'Thanksgiving', Inspired By Eli Roth's Legendary Fake 'Grindhouse' Trailer". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
  43. ^ Kroll, Justin (November 1, 2021). "Callum Turner To Star In George Clooney And Grant Heslov's 'Boys In The Boat' Adaptation For MGM". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  44. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (2022-03-31). "'Black Adam's Quintessa Swindell Anchors Lead In Spyglass' Rock Climbing Thriller 'Deadpoint'". Deadline. Retrieved 2022-04-01.
  45. ^ N'Duka, Amanda (2020-08-06). "'Knight Rider' Feature In The Works From Spyglass Media & James Wan; TJ Fixman Scripting". Deadline. Retrieved 2021-10-20.
  46. ^ McNary, Dave (December 4, 2019). "Issa Rae to Star in and Produce 'Perfect Strangers' Remake". Variety. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
  47. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (November 13, 2020). "'Short Circuit' Remake To Get Latinx Jolt From Spyglass Media Group". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
  48. ^ Grobar, Matt (28 November 2023). "Netflix Acquires Teen Comedy 'Incoming' From 'The Mick' Creators Dave And John Chernin; Mason Thames, Bobby Cannavale, Kaitlin Olson & More Star". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 28 November 2023.
  49. ^ "'Black Phone' Actor Mason Thames to Star in High School Comedy 'Incoming' From Spyglass Media, Artists Road (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
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