By Jake Cole, Film Writer
NEW YORK (AP) --The storied movie studio MGM is getting back into distribution, teaming with Megan Ellison's Annapurna Pictures in a joint venture that could have ramifications for the next James Bond film.
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Annapurna on Tuesday announced a partnership to distribute films in the United States. The move signals growing ambitions for MGM, which was once one of Hollywood's premier brands. After financial struggles, the Beverly Hills, California-based studio, founded in 1924, emerged from bankruptcy protection in 2000 and has since released its films through larger studios.
"The time has come for MGM to regain control of its own destiny and return to U.S. theatrical distribution," Gary Barber, MGM chief executive and chairman, said in a statement.
MGM remains the home of James Bond, but neither MGM nor Annapurna said if the next Bond movie, planned for 2019, is a part of their new deal. MGM's pact with Sony Pictures on the franchise expired in 2015. Worldwide distribution rights for the 25th Bond film, MGM said, would be announced "at a later date."
MGM and Annapurna said they will together release about 15 films a year, including six to eight by MGM. Each company retains creative control over their individual projects. Annapurna, which has recently begun marketing and distributing its own titles, will handle campaigns for all MGM titles.
"We are thrilled to expand our relationship with Gary and the entire MGM team," said Ellison. "MGM's distinguished legacy and library of films has made them a pillar in the industry and I couldn't be more proud and confident in our team's ability to collaborate on the distribution of their upcoming slate."
The first movie MGM will release under the agreement will be Eli Roth's "Death Wish," a remake of the 1974 revenge thriller, in March. Also on the docket are a musical of 1983's "Valley Girl," the Rocky saga sequel "Creed 2," and a female-led remake of 1988's "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" titled "Nasty Women."
Since its founding in 2012, Annapurna has become an Academy Awards regular thanks to films like "American Hustle," ''Zero Dark Thirty" and "Her." Its recent forays into distribution, however, have been less successful. None of its three releases this year — Kathryn Bigelow's "Detroit," Angela Robinson's "Professor Marston & the Wonder Woman" and Mike White's "Brad's Status" — have performed well at the box office.
“Heretic” and “Maria” Set As Red Carpet Premieres At AFI Fest
The American Film Institute (AFI) has announced that Heretic, the psychological thriller starring Hugh Grant, and Maria, based on the life of opera singer Maria Callas starring Angelina Jolie, will round out the Red Carpet Premieres section at this year’s AFI Fest. The Heretic Gala Screening will take place on Thursday, October 24, and the Maria Gala Screening will be held on Saturday, October 26. The complete Red Carpet Premieres section includes the world premieres of Music By John Williams, Robert Zemeckis’ Here, Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl and Clint Eastwood’s Juror #2. All Red Carpet Premieres will take place at the historic TCL Chinese Theatre. The full lineup for AFI Fest 2024 will be unveiled on October 1.
“At the heart of AFI Fest is an unwavering dedication to celebrating the best in global cinema--together,” said Bob Gazzale, AFI president and CEO. “We look forward to uniting artists and audiences once again to be inspired by the art form in a powerful sense of community.”
Heretic follows two young missionaries (Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East) who are forced to prove their faith when they knock on the wrong door and are greeted by a diabolical Mr. Reed (portrayed by Grant), becoming ensnared in his deadly game of cat-and-mouse. The film is directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods and produced by Stacey Sher, Beck, Woods, Julia Glausi and Jeanette Volturno. The film will be released nationwide by A24 on November 8.
Directed by Pablo Larraín, Maria presents a tumultuous and beautiful depiction of one of the world’s most renowned artists and reimagines the legendary soprano in her final days in Paris, as Callas (Jolie)... Read More