Spyglass Media Group

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Spyglass Media Group, LLC
Industry
Predecessors
chairman & CEO)[1]
  • Lauren Whitney (president, TV)[2]
  • Damien Marin (president, worldwide distribution and acquisitions)[3]
  • Products
    Owners
    SubsidiariesArtists Road (minority stake)
    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,

    equity stake
    .

    Birnbaum previously left Caravan at the prompting of then Disney studio chief

    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

    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 October 28, 2020, Spyglass teamed up with Propagate Content, Artists First and Off-Road Productions to form a new comedy joint-venture Artists Road, and it focuses on financing and producing mid-budgeted commercial comedy movies.[23]

    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][24]

    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
    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
    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
    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
    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 $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 Warner Bros. Pictures Released through Warner label 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 $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[26] January 8, 2010 Universal Pictures co-production with BenderSpink and Birnbaum/Barber Productions $19 million $32.6 million
    Get Him to the Greek[27] June 4, 2010 co-production with Relativity Media and Apatow Productions $40 million $91.3 million
    Dinner for Schmucks[28] 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[29] 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[30] January 14, 2011 Universal Pictures co-production with Imagine Entertainment and Wild West Picture Show Productions $70 million $69.7 million
    No Strings Attached[31]
    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[32] October 14, 2011 co-production with
    MTV Films, Dylan Sellers Productions, Zadan/Meron
    Productions and Weston Pictures
    $24 million $63.5 million
    The Vow[33] 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[34] January 14, 2022 Paramount Pictures co-production with Radio Silence Productions and Project X Entertainment[35]
    Hellraiser[20][36] October 7, 2022 Hulu co-production with Phantom Four Films and 20th Century Studios; international distribution through Paramount Pictures
    Scream VI[37] March 10, 2023 Paramount Pictures co-production with Radio Silence Productions and Project X Entertainment
    Spy Kids: Armageddon[38][39] September 22, 2023 Netflix[40] co-production with Skydance Media and Troublemaker Studios
    Thanksgiving[41] November 17, 2023[42]
    Sony Pictures Releasing
    co-production with TriStar Pictures, Dragonfly Entertainment and Electromagnetic Productions[43]
    The Boys in the Boat[44] 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
    Reunion[45][46] May 23, 2024 Republic Pictures co-production with Artists Road, Unique Features and Lionsgate
    Incoming August 23, 2024 Netflix[47] co-production with Artists Road and Stoller Global Solutions[48]

    In development

    Title Distributor Notes
    Back Together TBA
    Cricket in Times Square TBA
    D-Day TBA
    Deadpoint[49] TBA co-production with Good Fear Content
    Denali TBA
    Knight Rider[50] Universal Pictures co-production with Atomic Monster
    Perfect Strangers[51] TBA co-production with Eagle Pictures, 3 Marys Entertainment and Hoorae
    Short Circuit[52] TBA co-production with Project X Entertainment and Rehab Entertainment
    Testify TBA
    Thanksgiving 2[53]
    Sony Pictures Releasing
    co-production with TriStar Pictures, Dragonfly Entertainment and Electromagnetic Productions
    Untitled Julie Krone/Larissa Bills documentary film TBA
    Untitled Tanaquil Le Clercq film TBA

    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. ^ McNary, Dave (October 28, 2020). "Spyglass Launches Artists Road Joint Venture for Comedy Films". Variety. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
    24. ^ Hayden, Erik (5 August 2022). "Lionsgate Discloses Price Tag for Spyglass Media Deal". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
    25. ^ Carver, Benedict (13 May 1999). "Spyglass pix bonded". Variety. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
    26. ^ "Leap Year (2010)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved May 31, 2018.
    27. ^ Rechtshaffen, Michael (October 14, 2010). "Get Him to the Greek – Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 31, 2018.
    28. ^ "Dinner for Schmucks (2010)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved May 31, 2018.
    29. ^ 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.
    30. CraveOnline
      . Retrieved January 10, 2011.
    31. ^ McCarthy, Todd (January 16, 2011). "Film Review: 'No Strings Attached' Is Cutesy, Nowhere Near Hot Enough". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 31, 2018.
    32. ^ "Footloose (2011)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved May 31, 2018.
    33. ^ "The Vow (2012)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved May 31, 2018.
    34. ^ 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.
    35. ^ Kroll, Justin (June 24, 2020). "New 'Scream' Movie From Spyglass Media Will Be Released by Paramount (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
    36. ^ Kit, Borys (April 10, 2020). "Spyglass' 'Hellraiser' Reboot Finds Its Writing/Directing Team (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
    37. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (March 18, 2022). "'Scream' Sequel & Bob Marley Biopic Theatrical Release Dates Set By Paramount". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
    38. ^ 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.
    39. ^ "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.
    40. ^ 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.
    41. ^ Kroll, Justin (23 February 2023). "Addison Rae Lands Lead Role In Eli Roth's 'Thanksgiving' For Spyglass Media". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
    42. ^ McCall, Kevin (2023-04-03). "Eli Roth's 'Thanksgiving' Horror Movie Sets Holiday Release Date". Collider. Retrieved 2023-04-04.
    43. ^ Kroll, Justin (9 March 2023). "TriStar Pictures Lands 'Thanksgiving', Inspired By Eli Roth's Legendary Fake 'Grindhouse' Trailer". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
    44. ^ 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.
    45. ^ Sharpe, Josh (May 14, 2024). "Video: Watch Trailer for REUNION Starring Billy Magnussen". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
    46. ^ Gruenwedel, Erik (May 14, 2024). "Paramount Releasing Drama 'Reunion' on Digital Retail Platforms June 28". Media Play News. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
    47. ^ 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.
    48. ^ "'Black Phone' Actor Mason Thames to Star in High School Comedy 'Incoming' From Spyglass Media, Artists Road (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
    49. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (2022-03-31). "'Black Adam's Quintessa Swindell Anchors Lead In Spyglass' Rock Climbing Thriller 'Deadpoint'". Deadline. Retrieved 2022-04-01.
    50. ^ 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.
    51. ^ McNary, Dave (December 4, 2019). "Issa Rae to Star in and Produce 'Perfect Strangers' Remake". Variety. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
    52. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (November 13, 2020). "'Short Circuit' Remake To Get Latinx Jolt From Spyglass Media Group". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
    53. ^ Rubin, Rebecca (November 30, 2023). "Thanksgiving Sequel in the Works With Director Eli Roth". Variety. Retrieved November 30, 2023.

    External links