The newly renamed Alchemy (née Millennium Entertainment) has named Jim Jenkins as Svp, Business Development and Mergers & Acquisitions as CEO Bill Lee forges forward with the company’s rebranding. Jenkins comes from a run at Sony Dadc where he was Svp of Business Development, and prior to that consulted for a number of companies including Cinram, Inc., Sony BMG Music, and Hit Entertainment. He also served in executive positions at Lionsgate and Artisan Entertainment and…...
- 1/9/2015
- by Jen Yamato
- Deadline TV
The newly renamed Alchemy (née Millennium Entertainment) has named Jim Jenkins as Svp, Business Development and Mergers & Acquisitions as CEO Bill Lee forges forward with the company’s rebranding. Jenkins comes from a run at Sony Dadc where he was Svp of Business Development, and prior to that consulted for a number of companies including Cinram, Inc., Sony BMG Music, and Hit Entertainment. He also served in executive positions at Lionsgate and Artisan Entertainment and will now work with Lee to grow the distribution company and identify potential acquisitions.
- 1/9/2015
- by Jen Yamato
- Deadline
In a move that will finally stop us from calling Millennium Films’ Mark Gill every time Bill Lee makes a deal, Millennium Entertainment has been rechristened Alchemy. This comes after Lee engineering a buyout last summer from Nu Image Millennium Films’ chief Avi Lerner and his partners. Having two freestanding ventures called Millennium was incredibly confusing and difficult for Lee to build any momentum.
Lee has been angling to separate out the company for several years, including a long courtship with Luc Besson and Christoph Lambert at EuropaCorp before those guys acquired half of Relativity’s distribution pipeline to ramp up the production and release of their own films. Lee finally put his deal together, right before getting a $40M credit facility to make moves. The company next releases the Barry Levinson-directed adaptation of Philip Roth’s The Humbling starring Al Pacino and Greta Gerwig. That film hits theaters...
Lee has been angling to separate out the company for several years, including a long courtship with Luc Besson and Christoph Lambert at EuropaCorp before those guys acquired half of Relativity’s distribution pipeline to ramp up the production and release of their own films. Lee finally put his deal together, right before getting a $40M credit facility to make moves. The company next releases the Barry Levinson-directed adaptation of Philip Roth’s The Humbling starring Al Pacino and Greta Gerwig. That film hits theaters...
- 1/8/2015
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline
One day after it emerged the executive was leaving Cinedigm, he is returning to the Millennium fold to assume the newly created role of svp of marketing.
Scordino’s arrival is effective December 15 and will allow Bill Lee’s ambitious venture to house a single team providing customised distribution strategies across multiple platforms.
The new arrival will report to Millennium Entertainment evp of marketing Brooke Ford and will lead traditional platform and day-and-date campaigns while overseeing home entertainment and digital release strategy.
Scordino most recently served as svp of theatrical acquisitions and releasing at Cinedigm, which he joined in July 2012 from Millennium, where he had been head of acquisitions.
“We are happy to welcome Vincent back to the Millennium Entertainment family,” said Ford. “His vast experience in positioning independent film releases, as well as his close familiarity with our company’s strategies, will be huge assets to us as we build our marketing efforts to support our expanding...
Scordino’s arrival is effective December 15 and will allow Bill Lee’s ambitious venture to house a single team providing customised distribution strategies across multiple platforms.
The new arrival will report to Millennium Entertainment evp of marketing Brooke Ford and will lead traditional platform and day-and-date campaigns while overseeing home entertainment and digital release strategy.
Scordino most recently served as svp of theatrical acquisitions and releasing at Cinedigm, which he joined in July 2012 from Millennium, where he had been head of acquisitions.
“We are happy to welcome Vincent back to the Millennium Entertainment family,” said Ford. “His vast experience in positioning independent film releases, as well as his close familiarity with our company’s strategies, will be huge assets to us as we build our marketing efforts to support our expanding...
- 12/10/2014
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
The distributor has acquired Us rights to the Kristen Wiig starrer following the comedy’s September world premiere in Toronto.
Millennium has earmarked a 2015 release for the story about a narcissistic lottery winner who uses her new-found riches to launch an ill-fated TV show.
Joining Wiig on the cast are Wes Bentley, Linda Cardellini, Joan Cusack, Loretta Devine, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Thomas Mann, James Marsden, Tim Robbins and Alan Tudyk.
Shira Piven directed from a screenplay by Eliot Laurence. Welcome To Me is a Bron Studios/Gary Sanchez Production in association with Media House Capital.
Will Ferrell, Adam McKay, Aaron L Gilbert, Marina Grasic, Jessica Elbaum and Wiig produced.
“In Welcome To Me Shira Piven has crafted an inspired film that features Kristen Wiig in a brilliantly funny and moving role,” said Millennium Entertainment CEO Bill Lee.
“We’re so pleased to be in business with this tremendous group of filmmakers and look forward to bringing this very...
Millennium has earmarked a 2015 release for the story about a narcissistic lottery winner who uses her new-found riches to launch an ill-fated TV show.
Joining Wiig on the cast are Wes Bentley, Linda Cardellini, Joan Cusack, Loretta Devine, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Thomas Mann, James Marsden, Tim Robbins and Alan Tudyk.
Shira Piven directed from a screenplay by Eliot Laurence. Welcome To Me is a Bron Studios/Gary Sanchez Production in association with Media House Capital.
Will Ferrell, Adam McKay, Aaron L Gilbert, Marina Grasic, Jessica Elbaum and Wiig produced.
“In Welcome To Me Shira Piven has crafted an inspired film that features Kristen Wiig in a brilliantly funny and moving role,” said Millennium Entertainment CEO Bill Lee.
“We’re so pleased to be in business with this tremendous group of filmmakers and look forward to bringing this very...
- 12/3/2014
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Brad Anderson took viewers on a mind-bending tour through a vacant mental asylum in 2001’s hauntingly atmospheric horror film, Session 9. The director heads to a another institution for the mentally unstable in Stonehearst Asylum. Based on Edgar Allan Poe’s short story, “The System of Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether”, Stonehearst Asylum will come out on home media in time for the holidays.
Millennium Entertainment will release Stonehearst Asylum on Blu-ray and DVD on December 16th. We have the official press release with full details, as well as the release’s cover art:
“Los Angeles, CA (November 26, 2014) — Millennium Entertainment is proud to announce that audiences can take home the gothic thriller, Stonehearst Asylum, on DVD and Blu-Ray™ December 16, 2014. Directed by Brad Anderson (Transsiberian, The Machinist, The Call), the haunting film features the all-star cast of Kate Beckinsale (Pearl Harbor, Underworld series, Total Recall (2012)), Jim Sturgess (Across the Universe, 21, One Day,...
Millennium Entertainment will release Stonehearst Asylum on Blu-ray and DVD on December 16th. We have the official press release with full details, as well as the release’s cover art:
“Los Angeles, CA (November 26, 2014) — Millennium Entertainment is proud to announce that audiences can take home the gothic thriller, Stonehearst Asylum, on DVD and Blu-Ray™ December 16, 2014. Directed by Brad Anderson (Transsiberian, The Machinist, The Call), the haunting film features the all-star cast of Kate Beckinsale (Pearl Harbor, Underworld series, Total Recall (2012)), Jim Sturgess (Across the Universe, 21, One Day,...
- 12/2/2014
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Millennium Entertainment has made its first buy since the management take-over earlier this year led by Bill Lee and acquired the La operations of Amplify in a move that demonstrates its digital ambitions.
Amplify’s Logan Mulvey will serve as Millennium svp of digital distribution, effective immediately.
Amplify’s Los Angeles-based employees will join Millennium Entertainment in various roles within marketing and digital distribution.
Amplify, financed by Preferred Ventures and digital media investor Chris Kelly, will continue to operate exclusively from New York as a theatrical and digital content distribution company under Dylan Marchetti. That company is expected to announce separate details of a restructure in the coming months.
Preferred Ventures managing partner Kevin Iwashina brokered the deal on behalf of Amplify with Millennium Entertainment CEO Lee (pictured).
“Acquiring Amplify’s Los Angeles operation allows us to further enhance our premiere digital service which will maximise digital opportunities for Millennium,” said Lee. “We...
Amplify’s Logan Mulvey will serve as Millennium svp of digital distribution, effective immediately.
Amplify’s Los Angeles-based employees will join Millennium Entertainment in various roles within marketing and digital distribution.
Amplify, financed by Preferred Ventures and digital media investor Chris Kelly, will continue to operate exclusively from New York as a theatrical and digital content distribution company under Dylan Marchetti. That company is expected to announce separate details of a restructure in the coming months.
Preferred Ventures managing partner Kevin Iwashina brokered the deal on behalf of Amplify with Millennium Entertainment CEO Lee (pictured).
“Acquiring Amplify’s Los Angeles operation allows us to further enhance our premiere digital service which will maximise digital opportunities for Millennium,” said Lee. “We...
- 11/21/2014
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Millennium Entertainment continues to beef up it digital distribution capabilities with the acquisition of Amplify’s Los Angeles operation, the multi-platform distrib banner financed by Preferred Ventures and Digital Media investor Chris Kelly.
As part of the deal, Amplify’s Logan Mulvey, who has served as CEO for the past year, will serve as Millennium’s Svp of Digital Distribution, effective immediately. Along with Mulvey, Amplify’s La-based employees will be joining Millennium in various roles within marketing and digital distribution. Amplify will continue to operate exclusively from New York as a theatrical and digital content distribution company.
“Following our acquisition of Variance Films in March of this year, our goal has been to consolidate the digital and theatrical distribution operations of Amplify into New York. It was also important to us that those working in our La office find an opportunity that would allow them to remain in La.
As part of the deal, Amplify’s Logan Mulvey, who has served as CEO for the past year, will serve as Millennium’s Svp of Digital Distribution, effective immediately. Along with Mulvey, Amplify’s La-based employees will be joining Millennium in various roles within marketing and digital distribution. Amplify will continue to operate exclusively from New York as a theatrical and digital content distribution company.
“Following our acquisition of Variance Films in March of this year, our goal has been to consolidate the digital and theatrical distribution operations of Amplify into New York. It was also important to us that those working in our La office find an opportunity that would allow them to remain in La.
- 11/21/2014
- by The Deadline Team
- Deadline
Lotus International, the international sales agent and the U.S. distributor, Millennium Entertainment, will open “ Elsa & Fred” theatrically on November 7.
Writer-Director Michael Radford and stars Shirley MacLaine, Christopher Plummer, Marcia Gay Harden, Scott Bakula, George Segal and James Brolin team up to make an endearing film for many reasons.
The terms of endearment of Shirley Maclaine here are those of love, pure love as she takes three small steps with Christopher Plummer. Even at the ripe old ages of 75 and 80, love is young and ecstatic. And what memories septuagenarians and octogenarians have -- of Fellini, Anita Ekberg and Marcello Mastrioanni defining new versions of love. This is a targeted film, made on a budget easily recouped.
Christopher Plummer plays himself as an elegant, gorgeous, refined and gentle man, disguised as an old grump and Shirley plays herself, defining herself as a stunning older woman as beautiful as she was when young. In her case, even her face work is forgivable and almost lovable because she knows, and you know she “knows” you know.
My memories of Rome were awakened by the beauty of the city, my memories of Fellini. This device of making love to the audience, so successful in Woody Allen’s “Midnight in Paris” by allowing the audience’s eyes to caress the city, is also effective here. The movie also triggered my memories of walking and talking at two almost back-to-back film festivals with Michael Radford…for some reason I am thinking Mill Valley or Napa Valley in the fall and the Guadalajara Film Festival (Ficg)…where walking on new streets in new cities, we talked about our lives and his next film (which was not this one) and enjoyed being together in the collegial way festivals sometimes lend themselves to being.
And my memories of Shirley MacLaine, when I was training at 20th Century Fox International in Amsterdam, so homesick that when it was advertised she was playing live, I went to her hotel and introduced myself as working for Fox and welcoming her to Amsterdam. Her first words were she did not work with Fox (was involved in a lawsuit with them?) which I was prompt to report back to my boss, David Raphael. I remember especially her strong hand as she took my wrist and urged me to have tea with her at the hotel where she was staying and dismissed her entourage. We spent a good three hours talking about so many things, as I attempted to explain the Dutch and how I was experiencing my year in Amsterdam, and I felt so much better afterward.
The next thing I heard about her was when I went to 20th Century Fox’s home office to say my good-byes and they told me to go say hello to her as she was filming Herb Ross’ “The Turning Point” (1977) there on the lot of 20th Century Fox. I was too shy unfortunately to go see her. But it was a turning point in my life too.
This is a movie for women of “uncertain age”. It has a great cast, an accomplished director who is reflected in the character of Christopher Plummer. We hope it might cross over, but its budget is reasonable enough that it need not break box office records in order to break even. I notice that Intramovies, one of last two remaining independent international sales agent-production companies to remain standing in Italy (and both are owned by women of un certain age – Paola Corvino of Intramovies and Adriana Chiesa of Adriana Chiesa Enterprises) is the producer who brought in Rome, the eternal city of sacred and profane love.
The film premiered at Afm 2013 where Inferno was selling it. Something has transpired over the past year and Inferno’s product or Inferno itself has morphed into Lotus International (That is a story to look into another time), just as the U.S. distributor, Bill Lee’sMillennium Entertainment (“ Fading Gigolo” by John Turturro for Theatrical, Tv, Dvd-Video, Vod, Airline; “ The Assassin Next Door” (“Kirot”) by Danny Lerner and “Gacy” by Clive Saunders) and not to be confused with NuImage’s Millennium Films, is rumored to be about to change its name.
Lucky for me, I had not seen the Spanish-language original of “Elsa & Fred” directed by Marcos Camerole in 2005. I had heard such great things about it over a year of festivals and markets, but somehow always missed it. That Argentinean-Spanish coproduction won nine prestigious international awards.
It also sold well, although late to the U.S. where DistriMax took the rights (2008). But that is how “foreign” films fare in the U.S. Independent producers and financiers abroad don’t even bother factoring in the U.S. market – except for remake rights, if they are smart enough. But the story and movie itself was so good that it accomplished a rare feat of distribution: it crossed the borders of Latin American countries, something that rarely happens, and sold to both Venezuela - Amazonia Films and Chile - Four Films and played well in Spain -Altafilms Grupo Alta Classics and Argentina -Columbia TriStar Films de Argentina andLk-tel It also sold to Switzerland -Stamm Film Ag and the Netherlands - Filmfreak Distributie, It even sold to Taiwan which is a greater feat for Spanish language films.
According to Box Office Mojo its international gross was almost $3,000,000:
Foreign Total
-
7/28/05
n/a
-
$2,796,813
3/1/09
Argentina
Sony
7/28/05
$88,441
7.1%
$1,247,302
11/13/05
Belgium
Cnc
5/30/07
$2,153
100%
$2,153
6/3/07
Mexico
Zima
8/4/06
-
-
$804,202
11/16/06
New Zealand
Rialto
1/16/08
$3,018
10.2%
$29,679
3/9/08
Spain
Alta
11/11/05
$128,771
20.9%
$616,169
12/11/05
Taiwan
-
2/13/09
$3,160
33.2%
$9,509
3/1/09
Venezuela
-
10/17/08
$12,237
13.9%
$87,799
Information courtesy of The Internet Movie Database. Used with permission.
o Elsa & Fred (2014)
o Movie
o Director: Michael Radford (I), Production Co: Cuatro Plus Films [Us]
o Country: United States , Filming Location: New Orleans,… More
o Genre: Comedy | Family | Romance
o Elsa & Fred (2005)
o Movie
o Director: Marcos Carnevale, Production Co: Shazam S.A. [Ar]
o Aka: Elsa y Fred | Elsa és Fred | Intramontabile effervescenza
o Countries: Argentina | Spain , Filming Location: Madrid, Spain
o Genre: Comedy | Drama | Romance
The new and nearly word-for-word remake of the film has sold to Canada’sMétropole Films Distribution, Israel’sUnited King Films Ltd and Diamond Films for Argentina, the distributor of “The Hunger Games” trilogy and other exciting films. All three of these companies are top caliber which attests to the excellence of this film. If other rights are still available after one year, as they seem to be, this may the right time to acquire them – so listen up all you distributors out there in the world aiming at the cultured klatch of women who pay their own way to movies, theater, concerts and dancing! Reviewed at Wilshire Screening Room, October 12, 2014. Opens in theaters November 7, 2014.
Writer-Director Michael Radford and stars Shirley MacLaine, Christopher Plummer, Marcia Gay Harden, Scott Bakula, George Segal and James Brolin team up to make an endearing film for many reasons.
The terms of endearment of Shirley Maclaine here are those of love, pure love as she takes three small steps with Christopher Plummer. Even at the ripe old ages of 75 and 80, love is young and ecstatic. And what memories septuagenarians and octogenarians have -- of Fellini, Anita Ekberg and Marcello Mastrioanni defining new versions of love. This is a targeted film, made on a budget easily recouped.
Christopher Plummer plays himself as an elegant, gorgeous, refined and gentle man, disguised as an old grump and Shirley plays herself, defining herself as a stunning older woman as beautiful as she was when young. In her case, even her face work is forgivable and almost lovable because she knows, and you know she “knows” you know.
My memories of Rome were awakened by the beauty of the city, my memories of Fellini. This device of making love to the audience, so successful in Woody Allen’s “Midnight in Paris” by allowing the audience’s eyes to caress the city, is also effective here. The movie also triggered my memories of walking and talking at two almost back-to-back film festivals with Michael Radford…for some reason I am thinking Mill Valley or Napa Valley in the fall and the Guadalajara Film Festival (Ficg)…where walking on new streets in new cities, we talked about our lives and his next film (which was not this one) and enjoyed being together in the collegial way festivals sometimes lend themselves to being.
And my memories of Shirley MacLaine, when I was training at 20th Century Fox International in Amsterdam, so homesick that when it was advertised she was playing live, I went to her hotel and introduced myself as working for Fox and welcoming her to Amsterdam. Her first words were she did not work with Fox (was involved in a lawsuit with them?) which I was prompt to report back to my boss, David Raphael. I remember especially her strong hand as she took my wrist and urged me to have tea with her at the hotel where she was staying and dismissed her entourage. We spent a good three hours talking about so many things, as I attempted to explain the Dutch and how I was experiencing my year in Amsterdam, and I felt so much better afterward.
The next thing I heard about her was when I went to 20th Century Fox’s home office to say my good-byes and they told me to go say hello to her as she was filming Herb Ross’ “The Turning Point” (1977) there on the lot of 20th Century Fox. I was too shy unfortunately to go see her. But it was a turning point in my life too.
This is a movie for women of “uncertain age”. It has a great cast, an accomplished director who is reflected in the character of Christopher Plummer. We hope it might cross over, but its budget is reasonable enough that it need not break box office records in order to break even. I notice that Intramovies, one of last two remaining independent international sales agent-production companies to remain standing in Italy (and both are owned by women of un certain age – Paola Corvino of Intramovies and Adriana Chiesa of Adriana Chiesa Enterprises) is the producer who brought in Rome, the eternal city of sacred and profane love.
The film premiered at Afm 2013 where Inferno was selling it. Something has transpired over the past year and Inferno’s product or Inferno itself has morphed into Lotus International (That is a story to look into another time), just as the U.S. distributor, Bill Lee’sMillennium Entertainment (“ Fading Gigolo” by John Turturro for Theatrical, Tv, Dvd-Video, Vod, Airline; “ The Assassin Next Door” (“Kirot”) by Danny Lerner and “Gacy” by Clive Saunders) and not to be confused with NuImage’s Millennium Films, is rumored to be about to change its name.
Lucky for me, I had not seen the Spanish-language original of “Elsa & Fred” directed by Marcos Camerole in 2005. I had heard such great things about it over a year of festivals and markets, but somehow always missed it. That Argentinean-Spanish coproduction won nine prestigious international awards.
It also sold well, although late to the U.S. where DistriMax took the rights (2008). But that is how “foreign” films fare in the U.S. Independent producers and financiers abroad don’t even bother factoring in the U.S. market – except for remake rights, if they are smart enough. But the story and movie itself was so good that it accomplished a rare feat of distribution: it crossed the borders of Latin American countries, something that rarely happens, and sold to both Venezuela - Amazonia Films and Chile - Four Films and played well in Spain -Altafilms Grupo Alta Classics and Argentina -Columbia TriStar Films de Argentina andLk-tel It also sold to Switzerland -Stamm Film Ag and the Netherlands - Filmfreak Distributie, It even sold to Taiwan which is a greater feat for Spanish language films.
According to Box Office Mojo its international gross was almost $3,000,000:
Foreign Total
-
7/28/05
n/a
-
$2,796,813
3/1/09
Argentina
Sony
7/28/05
$88,441
7.1%
$1,247,302
11/13/05
Belgium
Cnc
5/30/07
$2,153
100%
$2,153
6/3/07
Mexico
Zima
8/4/06
-
-
$804,202
11/16/06
New Zealand
Rialto
1/16/08
$3,018
10.2%
$29,679
3/9/08
Spain
Alta
11/11/05
$128,771
20.9%
$616,169
12/11/05
Taiwan
-
2/13/09
$3,160
33.2%
$9,509
3/1/09
Venezuela
-
10/17/08
$12,237
13.9%
$87,799
Information courtesy of The Internet Movie Database. Used with permission.
o Elsa & Fred (2014)
o Movie
o Director: Michael Radford (I), Production Co: Cuatro Plus Films [Us]
o Country: United States , Filming Location: New Orleans,… More
o Genre: Comedy | Family | Romance
o Elsa & Fred (2005)
o Movie
o Director: Marcos Carnevale, Production Co: Shazam S.A. [Ar]
o Aka: Elsa y Fred | Elsa és Fred | Intramontabile effervescenza
o Countries: Argentina | Spain , Filming Location: Madrid, Spain
o Genre: Comedy | Drama | Romance
The new and nearly word-for-word remake of the film has sold to Canada’sMétropole Films Distribution, Israel’sUnited King Films Ltd and Diamond Films for Argentina, the distributor of “The Hunger Games” trilogy and other exciting films. All three of these companies are top caliber which attests to the excellence of this film. If other rights are still available after one year, as they seem to be, this may the right time to acquire them – so listen up all you distributors out there in the world aiming at the cultured klatch of women who pay their own way to movies, theater, concerts and dancing! Reviewed at Wilshire Screening Room, October 12, 2014. Opens in theaters November 7, 2014.
- 11/5/2014
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
The veteran most recently served as director of acquisitions at Paramount Home Media and arrives as vice president of acquisitions, effective immediately.
Among Deutchman’s duties will be a mandate to diversify the company’s distribution pipelines.
“I’m proud to welcome Jeff to our team,” said Millennium Entertainment CEO Bill Lee. “His vast knowledge of film and his understanding of multi-platform strategies will be a huge asset to the organization as we continue to evolve and grow.”
In August the management team of Millennium Entertainment led by Lee and Virgo Investment Group partnered to acquire the Millennium Entertainment catalogue assets and film distribution platform from a consortium of investors.
As a part of the transaction Millennium Entertainment will undergo a name change in the coming months.
Deutchman photo: Fantasia Film Festival.
Among Deutchman’s duties will be a mandate to diversify the company’s distribution pipelines.
“I’m proud to welcome Jeff to our team,” said Millennium Entertainment CEO Bill Lee. “His vast knowledge of film and his understanding of multi-platform strategies will be a huge asset to the organization as we continue to evolve and grow.”
In August the management team of Millennium Entertainment led by Lee and Virgo Investment Group partnered to acquire the Millennium Entertainment catalogue assets and film distribution platform from a consortium of investors.
As a part of the transaction Millennium Entertainment will undergo a name change in the coming months.
Deutchman photo: Fantasia Film Festival.
- 11/3/2014
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Deutchman leaves his gig as Director of Acquisitions at Paramount Home Media Distribution, which imported him in July 2013 from New York's VOD-oriented IFC Films to join their revamped homevideo division under Senior Marketing and Acquisitions VP Syrinthia Studer. Deutchman is to the independent film industry born: his father is Columbia University film professor and Emerging Cinema partner Ira Deutchman. “I’m proud to welcome Jeff to our team,” said Bill Lee, CEO of Millennium Entertainment. “His vast knowledge of film and his understanding of multi-platform strategies will be a huge asset to the organization as we continue to evolve and grow.” While at Paramount, Deutchman acquired indie films for the distributor’s home entertainment slate, including Richard Linklater’s "Boyhood," William H. Macy’s "Rudderless," Joe Swanberg’s "Happy Christmas" and Andrew Rossi’s "Ivory Tower." He also oversaw custom release...
- 11/3/2014
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
After rousing reactions in Venice and Toronto elevated The Humbling above its stealth fest title origins, the newly reconfigured Millennium Entertainment has closed a deal for U.S. distribution rights to the Barry Levinson-directed adaptation of the Philip Roth novel that stars Al Pacino. Millennium will launch the film into Oscar season, and will campaign to be reckoned in Academy season. The film stars Greta Gerwig, Dianne Wiest, Kyra Sedgwick, Charles Grodin, Dylan Baker, Dan Hedaya and Tony winners Billy Porter, Nina Arianda and Mary Louise Wilson. Roth’s novel was adapted by Buck Henry and Michal Zebede.
While Pacino and Levinson have both won Oscars in the past, the filmmaker tells me that getting to this place was one of the most unusual experiences in his long career, including the fact they made this movie dirt cheap for around $2 million. “You’re in this business so long, you...
While Pacino and Levinson have both won Oscars in the past, the filmmaker tells me that getting to this place was one of the most unusual experiences in his long career, including the fact they made this movie dirt cheap for around $2 million. “You’re in this business so long, you...
- 9/24/2014
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline
Millennium Entertainment is continuing to make moves following its deal to become a stand-alone distribution and catalog company. Today CEO Bill Lee unveiled that the soon-to-be-renamed outfit has closed a senior revolving credit facility and term loan facility worth $40 million.
The facilities helped finance Millennium and Virgo Investment Group’s August buyout of previous owners including Avi Lerner’s Nu Image, and will help Millennium going forward to acquire films for the studio’s upcoming slate. (The credit facilities provides for a $20 million term loan as well as a $20 million revolving line of credit with an additional accordion feature for future opportunities.)
Among those projects in Millennium’s pipeline is Madam Bovary, the Sophie Barthes-directed film that stars Mia Wasikowska, Paul Giamatti, and Ezra Miller. The company scooped up U.S. rights in a seven-figure deal sealed just before the period pic’s Toronto premiere earlier this month. Another...
The facilities helped finance Millennium and Virgo Investment Group’s August buyout of previous owners including Avi Lerner’s Nu Image, and will help Millennium going forward to acquire films for the studio’s upcoming slate. (The credit facilities provides for a $20 million term loan as well as a $20 million revolving line of credit with an additional accordion feature for future opportunities.)
Among those projects in Millennium’s pipeline is Madam Bovary, the Sophie Barthes-directed film that stars Mia Wasikowska, Paul Giamatti, and Ezra Miller. The company scooped up U.S. rights in a seven-figure deal sealed just before the period pic’s Toronto premiere earlier this month. Another...
- 9/24/2014
- by The Deadline Team
- Deadline
Update, 9:23 Am: Millennium has officially confirmed the Madame Bovary acquisition that I scooped was happening over the weekend. The deal was finalized ahead of its Toronto screening set for tomorrow. The full release is below our original exclusive.
Previous Exclusive, Saturday Pm: Millennium Entertainment is getting close to a seven-figure deal to acquire U.S. rights to Madame Bovary, the Sophie Barthes-directed film that stars Mia Wasikowska, Paul Giamatti, and Ezra Miller.
The film is set in period France, and focuses on two years in the life of the beautiful wife of a small-town doctor. She engages in extra-marital affairs in an attempt to advance her social status. I’m hearing that companies like A24 and Sony Pictures Classics are still in the mix, but it looks like this one will close tonight. It premieres Wednesday in the Special Presentations section, but buyers caught it yesterday at a...
Previous Exclusive, Saturday Pm: Millennium Entertainment is getting close to a seven-figure deal to acquire U.S. rights to Madame Bovary, the Sophie Barthes-directed film that stars Mia Wasikowska, Paul Giamatti, and Ezra Miller.
The film is set in period France, and focuses on two years in the life of the beautiful wife of a small-town doctor. She engages in extra-marital affairs in an attempt to advance her social status. I’m hearing that companies like A24 and Sony Pictures Classics are still in the mix, but it looks like this one will close tonight. It premieres Wednesday in the Special Presentations section, but buyers caught it yesterday at a...
- 9/9/2014
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline
The management team of Millennium Entertainment, led by CEO Bill Lee, and private investment firm Virgo Investment Group have partnered to acquire the Millennium Entertainment library and distribution platform.
The group is acquiring the assets from a consortium of investors including majority shareholder Nu Image led by Avi Lerner and Trevor Short, White Horse Pictures principals Nigel Sinclair and Guy East and Prentice Capital, who are understood to have owned 20% apiece.
The company will operate under a new name. Going forward the Millennium brand will be held solely by Nu Image subsidiary Millennium Films, the production arm that is not a part of the transaction.
Lee will continue as CEO and all existing management are expected to remain in place. The company and Virgo plan to grow the platform through investments in film content, distribution growth and corporate acquisitions. Millennium Entertainment had courted buyers since it was put up for sale in April 2013.
“I’m proud of our...
The group is acquiring the assets from a consortium of investors including majority shareholder Nu Image led by Avi Lerner and Trevor Short, White Horse Pictures principals Nigel Sinclair and Guy East and Prentice Capital, who are understood to have owned 20% apiece.
The company will operate under a new name. Going forward the Millennium brand will be held solely by Nu Image subsidiary Millennium Films, the production arm that is not a part of the transaction.
Lee will continue as CEO and all existing management are expected to remain in place. The company and Virgo plan to grow the platform through investments in film content, distribution growth and corporate acquisitions. Millennium Entertainment had courted buyers since it was put up for sale in April 2013.
“I’m proud of our...
- 8/19/2014
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
The management team of Millennium Entertainment, led by CEO Bill Lee, and private investment firm Virgo Investment Group have partnered to acquire the Millennium Entertainment library and distribution platform.
The group is acquiring the assets from a consortium of investors including majority shareholder Nu Image led by Avi Lerner and Trevor Short, White Horse Pictures principals Nigel Sinclair and Guy East and Prentice Capital, who are understood to have owned 20% apiece.
The company will operate under a new name. Going forward the Millennium brand will be held solely by Nu Image subsidiary Millennium Films, the production arm that is not a part of the transaction.
Lee will continue as CEO and all existing management are expected to remain in place. The company and Virgo plan to grow the platform through investments in film content, distribution growth and corporate acquisitions. Millennium Entertainment had courted buyers since it was put up for sale in April 2013.
“I’m proud of our...
The group is acquiring the assets from a consortium of investors including majority shareholder Nu Image led by Avi Lerner and Trevor Short, White Horse Pictures principals Nigel Sinclair and Guy East and Prentice Capital, who are understood to have owned 20% apiece.
The company will operate under a new name. Going forward the Millennium brand will be held solely by Nu Image subsidiary Millennium Films, the production arm that is not a part of the transaction.
Lee will continue as CEO and all existing management are expected to remain in place. The company and Virgo plan to grow the platform through investments in film content, distribution growth and corporate acquisitions. Millennium Entertainment had courted buyers since it was put up for sale in April 2013.
“I’m proud of our...
- 8/19/2014
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Millennium Entertainment's current management team and private investment firm Virgo Investment Group have acquired the company's catalog and distribution platform. The company, which will be renamed, made the announcement Tuesday. Millennium Entertainment was sold by majority investor Avi Lener (pictured) and Trevor Short's Nu Image, along with White Horse Pictures’ principals Nigel Sinclair and Guy East and Prentice Capital. Nu Image will keep the Millennium brand, which now will be associated solely with its other subsidiary, Millennium Films. Chief executive Bill Lee will stay on, and none of Millennium's 780 employees will lose their jobs. No price for the deal was announced,...
- 8/19/2014
- by Todd Cunningham
- The Wrap
Millennium Entertainment’s CEO Bill Lee announced at Cannes Monday that the company has picked up U.S. rights to John Herzfeld’s dramedy Reach Me, starring Sylvester Stallone, Kyra Sedgwick, Kevin Connelly, Terry Crews, Thomas Jane, Danny Aiello, and Tom Berenger. Written and directed by Herzfeld, Reach Me was produced by Rebekah Chaney, Cassian Elwes, Buddy Patrick, and John Herzfeld. The film will be released in select cities and everywhere on demand on October 24. Photos: Cannes: The Complete 2014 Official Selection Reach Me tells the story of a group of diverse strangers whose lives cross and collide as a result of
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- 5/19/2014
- by Patrick Brzeski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Millennium Entertainment acquired all U.S. rights to John Herzfeld’s dramedy Reach Me, and Sylvester Stallone, Kyra Sedgwick, Kevin Connelly, Terry Crews, Thomas Jane, Danny Aiello, and Tom Berenger head the cast. Herzfeld wrote the script, and he produces with Rebekah Chaney, Cassian Elwes, and Buddy Patrick. The film, which was long in the works and was crowdfunded for finishing funds (initially on Kickstarter, they switched to Indiegogo), will be released in select cities and then on demand October 24. Related: John Herzfeld And Sly Stallone Hope Kickstarter Can Raise Finishing Funds For ‘Reach Me’ A group of strangers’ lives collide as a result of a self-published motivational book by a reclusive author in hiding (Berenger). When the book’s positive message goes viral a tabloid journalist (Connolly), his editor (Stallone), an arsonist ex-con (Sedgwick), a gunfighter cop (Jane), an alcoholic priest (Aiello), and a dimwitted gangster all plow into...
- 5/19/2014
- by MIKE FLEMING JR
- Deadline
Millennium Entertainment has acquired James Mottern's crime thriller "God Only Knows," starring Ben Barnes, Leighton Meester, Harvey Keitel, Toby Jones, Kenny Wormald, and Slaine, the company announced. "God Only Knows" was written by Emilio Mauro, produced by Matthew Chausse and filmed in Rhode Island and Boston last fall. Barnes stars as Nick, an ambitious young man involved with the Boston crime syndicate. Once on the inside he realizes that the glory days of the Mafia are long gone and decides to turn on his boss (Keitel) and strike out on his own. Seemingly on top of the world with more money than he could have dreamed of and a devoted girlfriend (Meester), Nick soon realizes that by making his own rules he has put himself and everyone he loves in danger."In the spirit of the great gangster films of the 1970's, James Mottern has created a compelling thriller with broad appeal,...
- 5/15/2014
- by Casey Cipriani
- Indiewire
Millennium Entertainment's CEO Bill Lee announced today that the company has acquired all U.S. rights to James Mottern's crime-thriller God Only Knows, starring Ben Barnes (The Chronicles of Narnia, The Words), Leighton Meester ("Gossip Girl," The Judge), Harvey Keitel (Reservoir Dogs, Bad Lieutenant), Toby Jones (The Hunger Games), Kenny Wormald (Footloose), and Slaine (The Town). Written by Emilio Mauro (the upcoming Fox series "The Middleman" executive produced by Ben Affleck), God Only Knows was produced by Matthew Chausse and was shot in Rhode Island and Boston last fall.
- 5/15/2014
- Comingsoon.net
Specialty Box Office: John Turturro's 'Gigolo' Far From Fading With Year's Second Best Limited Debut
John Turturro's "Fading Gigolo" brought some very good news to distributor Millennium Entertainment this Easter Sunday. The film -- which stars Turturro, Woody Allen, Sharon Stone, Sofia Vergara, Vanessa Paradis, and Liev Schreiber -- grossed a fantastic $198,399 from just 5 theaters over the weekend, averaging $39,680. That's the second best limited debut of the year, after "The Grand Budapest Hotel." "Fading Gigolo is performing better than we had even hoped," Bill Lee, CEO Millennium Entertainment, said. "Propelled by fantastic word of mouth we saw a spectacular jump from Friday to Saturday - which goes to show that audiences were craving a funny and heartfelt film. That fact that Woody Allen is featured in a hilarious lead role was clearly a big draw. John Turturro has created a romantic comedy that is truly speaking to audiences- young, old, male and female. We're proud to be part of bringing this very special film...
- 4/20/2014
- by Peter Knegt
- Indiewire
Exclusive: I am hearing that Luc Besson‘s EuropaCorp is the lead horse in the quest to acquire Millennium Entertainment, the distribution arm of Avi Lerner‘s Nu Image/Millennium Films empire that was put on the selling block last April. The division, which is run by Bill Lee, retained Los Angeles-based investment bank Salem Partners in April to broker a deal. Lerner owns 60% of the company, Nigel Sinclair and Guy East’s Exclusive Media has a 20% stake and the hedge fund Prentice Capital owns the other 20%. I’m told that there might be one or more other bidders in the mix, but it looks like the deal is EuroCorp’s for the taking and that they are close. Besides a distribution operation, Millennium owns a film library with 665 titles and, according to the company’s release announcing the sale last April, has strong relationships with big three theater chains AMC,...
- 10/12/2013
- by MIKE FLEMING JR
- Deadline
CEO Bill Lee announced on Monday [10] that Millennium Entertainment had acquired Us rights to The Necessary Death Of Charlie Countryman.
Shia Labeouf and Evan Rachel Wood star in the thriller, which premiered at Sundance in January and also stars Mads Mikkelsen, Til Schweiger, Rupert Grint, Aubrey Plaza, James Buckley and Melissa Leo.
Fredrik Bond directed from a screenplay by Matt Drake about a young man who falls for a mobster’s girlfriend in Bucharest.
Millennium plans to release The Necessary Death Of Charlie Countryman later this year.
Bona Fide Productions’ Albert Berger and Ron Yerxa, Voltage Pictures’ Craig J Flores and Wonderful Films’ William Horberg produced, while Voltage Pictures head Nicolas Chartier served as executive producer with Patrick Newall and handled international sales.
Millennium negotiated the deal with CAA and Chartier.
Shia Labeouf and Evan Rachel Wood star in the thriller, which premiered at Sundance in January and also stars Mads Mikkelsen, Til Schweiger, Rupert Grint, Aubrey Plaza, James Buckley and Melissa Leo.
Fredrik Bond directed from a screenplay by Matt Drake about a young man who falls for a mobster’s girlfriend in Bucharest.
Millennium plans to release The Necessary Death Of Charlie Countryman later this year.
Bona Fide Productions’ Albert Berger and Ron Yerxa, Voltage Pictures’ Craig J Flores and Wonderful Films’ William Horberg produced, while Voltage Pictures head Nicolas Chartier served as executive producer with Patrick Newall and handled international sales.
Millennium negotiated the deal with CAA and Chartier.
- 6/10/2013
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Millennium Entertainment has acquired U.S. rights to "The Necessary Death of Charlie Countryman," starring Shia Labeouf and Evan Rachel Wood. The film, directed by award-winning commercial director Fredrik Bond, premiered earlier this year at the Sundance Film Festival and later competed at Berlin. The company has yet to announce a release date for the drama. The film stars Labeouf as Charlie, an American who heads to Bucharest, only to fall in love with Gabi (Wood), a beautiful musician. Unfortunately for Charlie, a vicious gangster has already laid claims on Gabi. "In his theatrical debut, Fredrik Bond’s has created a stylish, action-packed ride that hooks you from the first moments and never lets go," stated Millennium Entertainment CEO Bill Lee. "This is a perfect addition to our slate and we expect the film to draw audiences in all windows of release." Here's a scene from the film:...
- 6/10/2013
- by Nigel M Smith
- Indiewire
Millennium Entertainment CEO Bill Lee confirmed Monday that the distributor of independent films is for sale and that it has retained the services of Los Angeles-based financial-services firm Salem Partners to help with a sale. Millennium boasts a library of 665 titles, including such recent films as The Paperboy with Nicole Kidman and Bernie with Jack Black. Founded three years ago, the company also has relationships with theatrical exhibitors AMC, Regal and Landmark and delivers films to Netflix, Wal-Mart and other home-entertainment giants. The company said it "enjoyed a record year in both revenue and earnings in
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- 4/22/2013
- by Paul Bond
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Steve Nickerson has been named president of Millennium Entertainment, the company's CEO Bill Lee confirmed to TheWrap on Friday. In this new position, Nickerson, will report directly to Lee, and will oversee the sales, marketing and distribution departments for the fast-expanding company, which is aiming to "become the strongest independent film distributor in the market," Lee told TheWrap. "Over the past two years, we have worked to build the base infrastructure of the business. Our successes this year have enabled us to evolve to the next level of management," he said. "We...
- 12/1/2012
- by Liza Foreman
- The Wrap
In a deal that was rumored (and denied) since Cannes, Exclusive Media has acquired a minority stake in Millennium Entertainment. It gives Exclusive a distribution apparatus to go along with its production capabilities. Here’s the release: Los Angeles, CA (Sept 25, 2012) – Exclusive Media Co-Chairmen Nigel Sinclair and Guy East and Millennium Entertainment and Nu Image Founders Avi Lerner and Trevor Short today announced that Exclusive Media has acquired a minority stake in Us distribution company Millennium Entertainment. Under the terms of the deal, Exclusive Releasing, the newly launched Us distribution company of Exclusive Media, will have access to Millennium’s home entertainment distribution systems to supplement Exclusive Releasing’s infrastructure. Millennium Entertainment CEO Bill Lee and his team will continue to manage and grow the business, working closely with Exclusive Releasing’s management group on selected Exclusive Media titles going through Millennium. The Exclusive Media/Millennium deal was negotiated by...
- 9/25/2012
- by MIKE FLEMING
- Deadline
Exclusive: Millennium Entertainment is closing a deal for North American rights on What Maisie Knew, the film by Scott McGehee and David Siegel that premiered last Friday at Roy Thomson Hall. Deal is worth around $2 million minimum guarantee. I hear that distribution heavyweight Bob Berney is consulting for Red Crown, which financed the film along with some private equity investors. Berney will help guide the film when it gets released next spring. Millennium Entertainment, run by Bill Lee, is coming off the indie success Bernie and has the Lee Daniels-directed The Paperboy upcoming. The plan is to try and replicate that Bernie success with a similar theatrical platform release. The film stars Alexander Skarsgard, Julianne Moore and Steve Coogan and revolves around the 7-year old title character, played by Onata Aprile. She is caught in a custody battle between her aging mother rock star and her art dealer father.
- 9/12/2012
- by MIKE FLEMING
- Deadline
Zac Efron spotted showin his shirtless muscular bod in France other day. Recently, Bigtime movie star Zac Efron was spotted out and about in Saint Tropez, France for the 4th of July,and he appeared to be living it up,and showing off his muscles in a shirtless outing on a boat. According to sources, Zac chatted it up with a couple of friends at Club 55. Then he cruised the waters of the French Riviera. In related news, Zac's new "The Paperboy"drama flick is scheduled to hit theaters on October 5th. It also stars: Matthew McConaughey, Nicole Kidman, and John Cusack. The movie also,apparently, got a great response at the recent Cannes Film Festival. Millennium Entertainment CEO Bill Lee told the press, "I'm delighted by the extraordinary audience response at Cannes to Lee Daniels’ film and we’re thrilled to release 'The Paperboy' this fall. Lee...
- 7/6/2012
- by Eric
- OnTheFlix
Millennium Entertainment will work with Tugg to expand the release platform for its comedy "The Babymakers," directed by Jay Chandrasekhar. While Millennium will release the film day and date August 3 on VOD and in 10 major markets, fans can request additional screenings in their areas. “We saw an enthusiastic response from audiences in SXSW for The Babymakers and, through Tugg, look to broaden the movie’s fan base in direct and innovative ways,” said Millennium Entertainment CEO Bill Lee. “Tugg’s curatorial platform enhances the fan experience, strengthening the film’s VOD and theatrical prospects throughout the county by targeting markets with strong want-to-see.” "Babymakers" is the story of a husband who resorts to robbing a sperm bank to impregnate his wife. Written by Peter Gaulke and Gerry Swallow, the film stars Chandrasekhar, Olivia Munn, Paul Schneider, Aisha Tyler, Kevin Heffernan, Wood...
- 7/2/2012
- by Indiewire
- Indiewire
Unsurprisingly, Millennium Entertainment has decided to release Lee Daniels’ “The Paperboy” itself and has scheduled an October 5 opening date. The erotic thriller based on the Pete Dexter novel received a mix of praise and mocking after its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May, and no Stateside distributor had yet stepped up to acquire it. Matthew McConaughey, Zac Efron, David Oyelowo, Macy Gray, John Cusack and Nicole Kidman star in the story of two brothers in a steamy Florida town who get involved in the case of a death row inmate and his zealous lover. “I'm delighted by the extraordinary audience response at Cannes to Lee Daniels’ film and we’re thrilled to release ‘The Paperboy’ this fall,” said Millennium CEO Bill Lee. “Lee’s unique filmmaking voice combined with this high-profile cast makes for a must-see movie.” Daniels, who wrote the script with Dexter, also produced...
- 6/20/2012
- by Jay A. Fernandez
- Indiewire
Kate Hudson starrer A Little Bit of Heaven lands at Millennium Millennium Entertainment has picked up North American rights to the dramedy which also stars Kathy Bates, Whoopi Goldberg, Gael Garcia Bernal, Lucy Punch, Romany Malco, Rosemarie DeWitt, Steven Weber and Treat Williams. Variety reports that Bill Lee, CEO of Millennium announced the deal today. The pic will start its theatrical run on June 12th, but prior to that the Nicole Kassell (The Woodsman) film can be seen on VOD from April 3rd. Scripted by Gren Wells, A Little Bit of Heaven takes place in New Orleans and focuses on an irreverent young woman...
- 1/17/2012
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Millennium to distribute A Little Bit Of Heaven
Kate Hudson starrer A Little Bit of Heaven lands at Millennium Millennium Entertainment has picked up North American rights to the dramedy which also stars Kathy Bates, Whoopi Goldberg, Gael Garcia Bernal, Lucy Punch, Romany Malco, Rosemarie DeWitt, Steven Weber and Treat Williams. Variety reports that Bill Lee, CEO of Millennium announced the deal today. The pic will start its theatrical run on June 12th, but prior to that the Nicole Kassell (The Woodsman) film can be seen on VOD from April 3rd. Scripted by Gren Wells, A Little Bit of Heaven takes place in New Orleans and focuses on an irreverent young woman...
- 1/17/2012
- Upcoming-Movies.com
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