The Movie Insider

New Movie Updates and The Insider Feed

2009 MOVIES COMING SOON

news headlines

Thursday, May 19, 2005 10:05 AM EDT

Universal Pictures Expanding Rogue Pictures Label



Comments  

image

Universal Pictures announced today plans to expand its Rogue Pictures label, which will include an increase in the division's production mandate. The move comes as Universal continues to build upon its internal operations and the changing film viewing landscape. The year-old Rogue label—devoted to producing and distributing high-quality suspense, action, thriller and urban entertainment features with mainstream appeal and franchise potential—will ramp up its distribution activities to ultimately reach a level of ten films per year. Focus Features Co-President David Linde will expand his duties and oversee the new strategic mandate of Rogue Pictures. Mr. Linde and his partner at Focus Features, Co-President James Schamus, will continue to jointly run that successful specialty films label. The announcement was made by Universal Pictures Chairman Stacey Snider.

Plans call for the ramped-up Rogue slate to capitalize on the ever-expanding marketplace for genre films and targeted productions, with more theatrical titles as well as the label's first DVD Premiere releases. The division will expand its production infrastructure and build up the existing Focus Features marketing and distribution groups in order to handle the increased volume.

"It is our belief that the marketplace is ripe for a smart, flexible and aggressive production and distribution entity with the ability to provide original filmed entertainment to consumers in both the theatres and at home," said Ms. Snider. "We are fortunate to be able to grow from within and tap the talents of David Linde to achieve our goal of having another thriving label under the Universal Pictures banner."

Mr. Linde commented, "Over the past three years, we have firmly established the Focus brand—quality films that win awards and are commercially viable. Focus is now one of the premier specialized film distribution companies worldwide. The company has had tremendous growth and success, and now we plan to create new opportunities that will stimulate Rogue's growth. This initiative will enable us to maximize Rogue's mandate of making filmmaker and actor-driven genre product that achieves mainstream appeal and profitability."

The company's Rogue Pictures label, formed in March 2004, released Unleashed this weekend to a $10.9 million gross, averaging $5,568.00 per theatre and coming in number 3 at the box office in just 1,957 theatres. Unleashed was written and produced by Luc Besson, directed by Louis Leterrier, and stars Jet Li, Morgan Freeman, and Bob Hoskins. In addition, Rogue's Assault on Precinct 13, directed by Jean-Francois Richet and starring Ethan Hawke and Laurence Fishburne, sold through almost 2 million units in its first week of release on DVD via Universal Studios Home Entertainment (USHE), and is on track to be the biggest DVD performer of the year relative to its box office. All Rogue DVD product will be marketed and distributed by USHE in the U.S.

Rogue's other releases to date include Edgar Wright's Shaun of the Dead and Don Mancini's Seed of Chucky. Upcoming releases include Jeff Wadlow's Cry Wolf, starring Julian Morris, Lindy Booth, and Jared Padalecki; the untitled supernatural thriller starring Sarah Michelle Gellar for director Asif Kapadia; and Altered, directed by Eduardo Sanchez, co-writer and co-director of The Blair Witch Project.

RECENT NEWS HEADLINES

IMAX Experience Now at Two AMC Theatres in Metro Detroit

AMC Entertainment Inc., a leading theatrical exhibition and entertainment company, announces today that guests visiting AMC Livonia 20 and AMC Star Great Lakes 25 can now enjoy The IMAX Experience from IMAX Corporation. .

Barrymore and Long are 'Going the Distance'

In a odd twist of events, Drew Barrymore has signed on to star opposite her former boyfriend Justin Long in Going the Distance, a romantic comedy for New Line Cinema, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Adam Shankman (Bedtime Stories) and Jennifer Gibgot are producing via their Offspring Entertainment banner, and Nanette Burstein is directing. The story by first-time scribe Geoff LaTulippe follows a couple trying to maintain a long-distance relationship..

Winners Announced for 'DVD Contest'

To celebrate the launch of PowerPlay, The Movie Insider has announced the winners of The Ultimate DVD Contest!.

Reeves to Lead Actioner 'Bebop'

Keanu Reeves, who most recently starred in The Day the Earth Stood Still, has signed to lead the cast of actioner Cowboy Bebop, according to Daily Variety. Reeves will take on the role of lead bounty hunter Spike Spiegel. Cowboy Bebop, a Japanese animated series, tells the story of a group of interstellar bounty hunters and their adventures aboard the starship Bebop..

Whitaker Confirmed in Talks for 'Expendables'

Forest Whitaker, who was recently seen in Vantage Point and Street Kings, has been confirmed to be in negotiating to join the cast of the action film The Expendables, Stallone's latest writing and directing effort, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Whitaker would play the CIA liaison for a group of mercenaries (played by Stallone, Jet Li, Randy Couture and Jason Statham) who are clandestinely sent to South America to overthrow a dictator..

Shankman to Helm 'Bob', 'Sinbad'

Director Adam Shankman, who helmed the upcoming Disney family adventure pic Bedtime Stories, will next tackle Disney's Bob the Musical and likely Sony's Sinbad, Daily Variety reported. Bob the Musical centers on a mild-mannered man who suddenly hears the "inner song" of people's hearts after being struck on the head..

Sonnenfeld to Save MGM's 'World'

Barry Sonnenfeld, who is an exec producer and director on "Pushing Daisies", will direct and produce the action comedy The How-To Guide for Saving the World for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Daily Variety reported. The project, penned by BenDavid Grabinski, refers to an instruction manual for saving the world, which is left behind by a secret group that protects the Earth from alien invaders after the group is wiped out. .

Morgan and Miller Find 'Roommates' Together

Tracy Morgan, who most recently appeared in First Sunday, will star in and produce the comedy Freshman Roommates for The Montecito Picture Company and Paramount Pictures, according to Daily Variety. TJ Miller (Cloverfield) will also star in the film. Freshman Roommates asks the question what if those spam emails aren't scams. .

Ford Teams McAdams for News Comedy

Harrison Ford, last seen in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal, will star in Morning Glory, which is a comedy that J.J. Abrams is producing for Paramount Pictures. Rachel McAdams (Wedding Crashers) is in negotiations to join the cast too. Aline Brosh McKenna (The Devil Wears Prada) wrote the script. Roger Michell (Enduring Love) is set to direct. .

F/X Wizard Stewart to Helm Horror Western

Visual effects wizard Scott Charles Stewart, who co-founded the effects house The Orphanage, has signed to direct Priest, a horror Western adapted from a TokyoPop comic book, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The story is set in a world ravaged by centuries of war between man and vampire and follows a warrior priest who turns against the church to track down a murderous band of vampires who have kidnapped his niece. .

Wilde Enters Disney's 'Tron' Sequel

Olivia Wilde, who starred in Turistas and is a series regular on Fox's medical drama "House", has signed on to star in Tron 2.0, the sequel to the 1982 Disney cult classic being directed by Joseph Kosinski, according to Daily Variety and The Hollywood Reporter. The original, about a programmer thrust into a computer and forced to fight in games he helped create, is remembered for its sci-fi gladiator-style battles and groundbreaking special effects..

Kunis Opens Warner's 'Book of Eli'

Max Payne star Mila Kunis, who is probably best known for her role in "That 70s' Show" has joined the cast of The Book of Eli, the Denzel Washington sci-fi action thriller from Warner Bros. Pictures and Alcon Entertainment, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Albert and Allen Hughes are directing the pic..

Zombie Prepping 'Halloween' Sequel

Dimension Films and writer-director Rob Zombie are teaming for a second helping of Halloween madness this October, according to Daily Variety. Zombie will write and direct H2, the sequel to his 2007 reinvention of the John Carpenter horror classic. The new film picks up right as the first remake ended, following the aftermath of Michael Myers' murderous rampage through the eyes of the sister he hunted..

Witherspoon in Brooks' Comedy Project

Helmer James L. Brooks, who has directed only five films during his career and hasn't helmed one since 2004's Spanglish, will next team up with Reese Witherspoon on How Do You Know for Sony Pictures, according to Daily Variety. Witherspoon was set to start lensing an Untitled Cameron Crowe Project for Sony in February, but that film has been pushed to July, leaving an opening in the actress' schedule..

Baruchel Fills Disney's 'Apprentice' Shoes

Jay Baruchel, who was last seen in Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist and Tropic Thunder, is negotiating to play the title role in a live-action The Sorcerer's Apprentice for Walt Disney Pictures, Daily Variety reported. Baruchel would join Nicolas Cage, who plays the sorcerer in the Jon Turteltaub-directed film..


This Is It poster
1

This Is It (PG-13)

$23,234,394

Avg. Gross: $9,895 in 3,481 Theaters

Cumulative Total: $34,442,926

Paranormal Activity poster
2

Paranormal Activity (R)

$16,387,327

Avg. Gross: $35,203 in 2,404 Theaters

Cumulative Total: $84,627,372

Law Abiding Citizen poster
3

Law Abiding Citizen (R)

$7,403,630

Avg. Gross: $18,627 in 2,764 Theaters

Cumulative Total: $51,485,280

Couples Retreat poster
4

Couples Retreat (PG-13)

$6,460,525

Avg. Gross: $28,760 in 3,026 Theaters

Cumulative Total: $87,026,280

Where the Wild Things Are poster
5

Where the Wild Things Are (PG)

$5,931,417

Avg. Gross: $17,188 in 3,645 Theaters

Cumulative Total: $62,650,379