Hollywood
Lionsgate inks movie output deal with Disney’s Buena Vista for Russia
MUMBAI: Reflecting its continued growth in a major international territory, Lionsgate has forged an output deal with Disney’s Buena Vista International (BVI), for distribution of its titles in Russia and the rest of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).
The agreement will kick off with Lionsgate’s revenge thriller Sicario this fall and will also encompass titles as: Francis Lawrence’s adventure fantasy, The Odyssey; the first live action Saban’s Power Rangers film; and the film adaptation of Hasbro’s Monopoly.
“We’re thrilled to expand our relationship with Buena Vista International through this output agreement in a major territory with enormous upside. We’re pleased to continue building our BVI relationship with a powerful, commercially exciting slate loaded with blockbuster tentpoles, potential franchises and star-driven event films,” said Lionsgate Motion Picture Group co-chairs Patrick Wachsberger and Rob Friedman and Lionsgate International COO Andrew Kramer.
“BVI’s stature, experience and tremendous track record coupled with Lionsgate’s diverse film portfolio promise significant upside for both companies. This new output agreement reflects our commitment to Russia and our continued emergence as a creative force in the global marketplace,” added Lionsgate EVP of international sales Crystal Bourbeau.
Lionsgate previously teamed with BVI on Summit Entertainment label films including the Japanese release of the action thriller Red, the release of the Step Up franchise in Japan and the Spanish and Japanese releases of Source Code and Tree of Life. Most recently, both companies announced that they will be launching the fourth installment of the global blockbuster The Hunger Games franchise, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2, on 19 November in Russia and CIS.
Hollywood
Iger’s final act: Disney boss wraps up epic saga with a new captain at the helm
After 15 turbulent years, two stints in the c-suite, and billions spent on blockbuster acquisitions, Bob Iger is stepping away from the Magic Kingdom.
CALIFORNIA: The 75-year-old chief, hailed as one of the most transformative leaders in modern media, officially hands over to former parks chief Josh D’Amaro on 18 March. And this time, he’s getting the succession right.
Iger’s legacy glitters with big bets and epic wins: the $7.4bn Pixar buy, $4bn Marvel swoop, and the colossal $71bn 21st Century Fox deal. He dragged Disney into the streaming age, fought off activist investor Nelson Peltz, and saw off a political scrap with Florida governor Ron DeSantis.
But it hasn’t all been pixie dust. The forced return of Iger in 2022—after the short, shaky reign of successor Bob Chapek—tarnished an otherwise stellar run.
Now, D’Amaro takes the wheel with a streamlined leadership team and Disney firing on all cylinders. The firm’s streaming business is in the black, theme-park attendance is soaring, and five global films have hit $1billion at the box office in the past two years. Not bad for a firm that was on the ropes just months ago.
D’Amaro’s first move? A slick reorg under new president and chief creative officer Dana Walden, folding film, tv, streaming and gaming into one punchy unit. Sean Shoptaw, heading up the gaming division, now reports directly to Walden—bringing Fortnite and Epic Games collaborations closer to Disney’s creative heart.
Iger isn’t sailing off into the sunset just yet. He’ll keep busy with Angel City FC, the women’s football club he owns with his wife. And as Ann Mooney Murphy of Stevens Institute predicts: “A guy like that never truly retires.”
One era ends. Another begins. And the House of Mouse bets big on a future beyond the king.
