Revolution Studios has signed a deal with Universal Pictures Home Entertainment to create non-feature productions based on properties in Revolution’s film library.
Revolution produced 46 films including “Black Hawk Down,” “Maid in Manhattan,” “Anger Management,” “Daddy Day Care,” “America’s Sweethearts,” “XXX” and “White Chicks.”
Monetary terms of the deal were not disclosed. The agreement calls for Universal 1440 Entertainment to produce and distribute sequels, prequels or other spinoffs of Revolution feature titles for non-theatrical formats worldwide.
“We have found an ideal partner in Universal 1440 Entertainment, which has had global success in creating or extending film franchises with high-quality, non-theatrical productions,” said Revolution CEO Vince Totino. “Combining Revolution’s extensive library of hit films with Universal’s skill and experience at producing and releasing original content is a win-win proposition.”
Universal 1440 Entertainment has produced installments of “American Pie,” “Bring it On,” “Curious George,” “The Scorpion King,” “Death Race,” the Chucky series and “Beethoven.”
“We look forward to working with Vince and Scott and their team to bring new films based on Revolution’s properties to audiences around the world,” said Glenn Ross of Universal 1440 Entertainment. “This access to Revolution’s impressive library of films affords Universal unique opportunities to revitalize and extend the narrative of beloved properties to create exceptionally appealing new fare exclusively for entertainment audiences.”
Revolution has been bulking up its library for the past year as part of a strategy of exploiting recognizable titles for global TV and digital distribution. The company, founded by Joe Roth in 2000, was acquired in June, 2014, by Fortress Investment Group.
Revolution bought the 64-title Morgan Creek international library a year ago for $36.75 million, including “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves,” “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective” and its sequel, “The Last of the Mohicans,” “Young Guns,” the “Major League” franchise and “The Whole Nine Yards.”
On Sept. 30, Revolution announced it had bought 50% ownership of George Clooney’s political drama “The Ides of March” for an undisclosed price from Cross Creek Pictures, completing a two-picture deal with Cross Creek following Revolution’s purchase of half of “Black Swan” earlier this year.
