by Maggie Sicliano
History
Lions Gate Entertainment Corporation was founded by Frank Giustra on July 3, 1997 as a Canadian-American entertainment company, and is based in Santa Monica, California. Currently headed up by Jon Feltheimer, Lionsgate is constantly changing. It plays on its exposure from 2012 when it acquired Summit Entertainment and launched “The Hunger Games” franchise. Recently, it has become an international player due to a 13-year strategy to create a foundation for growth. It also continues to enhance its television presence. [2]
Key Executives
Contact Information
Lions Gate Entertainment Corp.
2700 Colorado Avenue
Suite 5000
Santa Monica, CA 90404
P: 310-449-9200
F: 310-255-3870
W: http://www.lionsgate.com [5]
Financials
Lions Gate Entertainment Corp has a net income growth of +4015.05%, a revenue of 552.88 M, a revenue growth of +10.86%, and an Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization of +33.12% M (September 2014). In the past five years the overall revenue has increased 13.22%, but the net income as gone down 176.11%. [6] In the box office Lionsgate is currently ranked #7 with a 5.9% market share, and a total gross of $543.3 million from the 18 movies tracked in 2014. [7]
In Theatres
“The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1”
The series, based on the books of the same name by Suzanne Collins, starring Jennifer Lawrence, was surprisingly the lowest-grossing movie of the series franchise thus far, but was the front runner of the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. After the five day break, “Mockingjay” turned out as the third highest five day grosser just behind its second movie, “Catching Fire“, and child phenomenon, “Frozen“. [9] The film is once again directed by “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” visionary Francis Lawrence. [8]“John Wick”
The suspected flop starring Keanu Reeves in yet another action film was a pleasant surprise in its opening weekend. Coming in at #2 [11], the action flick wasn’t on the same level as other Lionsgate thrillers such as “The Expendables 3″ and “3 Days to Kill“, but it did well for its audience (skewed male) as well as had a decent showing, 18% gross, in IMAX. [12]Awards and Accolades
This September it was announced that CEO Jon Feltheimer will receive the Producers Guild of America‘s Milestone Award for 2015. The award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the success of the entertainment industry. His leadership positions range from positions at New World Entertainment, Sony Pictures Entertainment, and now, Lionsgate Entertainment. Since being named CEO in 2000, Feltheimer has had a myriad of achievements under his belt. In the past he was behind the Oscar winners “Crash“ and “Precious“, and more currently “The Hunger Games” franchise and the start of the “Divergent“ series’ franchise. [13]
The most recent award winner for Lionsgate was J.C. Chandor‘s “All Is Lost” starring Robert Redford with the 2014 Golden Globe for Best Original Score for a Motion Picture. As the upcoming award season gears up, the award nominations have yet to be released. [14]
Coming Soon
“Spare Parts”
“Spare Parts” Trailer [15]
Sean McNamara directs the true life story about a robotics team formed by Hispanic high school students, under their new teacher Fredi (George Lopez). The experience of building a product with next to no money, no experience, but a lot of heart, will bring them closer together and give them lessons that will last longer than just the competition run. Set to release on January 16, 2015, it will play to the family and child demographic, and is a sure heart-warmer. [16]
“Insurgent”
“Insurgent” Teaser Trailer [17]
With new director Robert Schwentke, Shailene Woodley stars in the “Hunger Games“–esque thriller, that follows fugitives Tris (Woodley) and Four (Theo James). They are racing to find help against the overambitious Erudite elite. [18] The movie will be released in 2D, Real 3D, and Digital 3D on March 20th, 2015.”The second film in the “Divergent” franchise takes the story and action to another level and, by partnering with RealD, we were able to blend gripping performances and mind-blowing spectacle to create a unique event on screen,” said producers Douglas Wick and Lucy Fisher. [19] “Insurgent” will draw on the the Veronica Roth books series by the same name’s fan base, a young adult demographic, and fans of the first “Divergent” movie.
“Mortdecai”
Art dealer aficionado Charlie Mortdecai, Johnny Depp, juggles a host of contenders as he tries to recover a stolen painting in hopes that it leads to Nazi gold. Joined by big names Gwyneth Paltrow and Olivia Munn, director David Koepp takes Mortdecai out of his element and across the pond for a mystery of Depp-proportions on January 23, 2015. [21]
“The Age of Adaline”
“The Age of Adaline” Trailer [22]
Blake Lively plays Adaline Bowman, the mysterious and solitary woman who has miraculously remained 29 years old for eight decades. After keeping to herself for so long, she is revitalized through the chance meeting of Ellis Jones, played by Michiel Huisman. Shaped by director Lee Toland Krieger, the film also stars Harrison Ford and Ellen Burstyn, and is set to be released on April 23, 2015. [23]
Game Changers for Lionsgate Entertainnment
Middle of November, Lionsgate and CBS Films announced a multi-year film distribution partnership that unites the companies on up to 12 wide release films, beginning with the release of 2015’s “The Duff“. The agreement holds CBS Films responsible for the production and marketing efforts of films, whereas Lionsgate will oversee more of the distribution side on multiple platforms: theatrical, home entertainment, etc. “The Duff” withholding, Lionsgate also receives exclusive international sales for all titles. [24] Lionsgate has also announced that it will be making “The Expendables 3” workout videos in collaboration with Scott Herman Fitness to celebrate the digital HD release of “The Expendables 3 Unrated Edition” on November 11, 2014. [25] Lionsgate is also using the American Film Market to launch its name in and among the independent films’ world. It features a range of films from “La La Land“, starring big names such as Emma Watson and Miles Teller, to the story of the oil drilling catastrophe in the Gulf of Mexico, “Deepwater Horizon“, due out in 2015 and September 30, 2016, respectively. [26]
The Future of Lionsgate Entertainment
This past October, Lionsgate announced that both it and Tribeca Enterprises will be launching their own online streaming service beginning the first half of 2015. The online video service will make the studios’ movies and ones from outside studios available to viewers. They plan to draw on many of their industry contacts.“We are pleased to join with Lionsgate . . . to create a highly curated experience that disrupts the ‘more-is-more’ model in today’s streaming on-demand landscape,” said Jane Rosenthal, chief executive of Tribeca Enterprises. “Tribeca Short List aims to be a service where you can see films you never got to watch, forgot to watch, and want to watch.” Details such as films available and pricing have yet to be released. [27] Based in New York, the service will be overseen by members of both studios as well as an advisory board of knowledgable frontrunners in the American entertainment industry. [28] It was also just announced that Dalian Wanda Group, the Chinese conglomerate, wants to own a controlling stake in Lionsgate to expand its rapidly growing film industry. Lionsgate has yet to comment on their publicized interest. [29]
Sources
[1] Lionsgate Entertainment Logo, www.thehungergames.net, RT: 11/25/14
[2] Lionsgate Company, www.lionsgate.com, RT: 11/5/14
[3] Key Executive: Jon Feltheimer, www.lionsgate.com, RT: 11/26/14
[4] Key Executive: Michael Burns, www.lionsgate.com, RT: 11/26/14
[5] Lions Gate Entertainment Corp, http://finance.yahoo.com, RT: 11/5/14
[6] Lions Gate Entertainment Corp, www.wsj.com, RT: 11/5/14
[7] Box Office by Studio, www.boxofficemojo.com, RT 11/30/14
[8] LIONSGATE MOVIES Mockingjay Part 1, www.lionsgate.com, RT: 11/5/14
[9] Mockingjay Part 1 Remains Champ, www.ign.com. 11/30/14. RT: 11/30/14
[10] LIONSGATE MOVIES John Wick, www.lionsgate.com. RT: 11/30/14
[11] John Wick, www.boxofficemojo.com. RT: 11/29/14
[12] Weekend Report, www.boxofficemojo.com, Subers, Ray. 10/26/14. RT: 11/29/14
[13] Jon Feltheimer to Receive Producers Guild’s 2015 Milestone Award, deadline.com, 9/9/14. RT: 9/14/14
[14] All Is Lost, www.lionsgate.com. RT:11/29/14
[15] Spare Parts Trailer, www.youtube.com, 11/6/14. RT: 11/30/14
[16] Lionsgate Movies: Spare Parts, www.lionsgate.com. RT: 11/30/14
[17] Divergent Teaser Trailer, www.youtube.com, 11/12/14. RT: 11/30/14
[18] The Divergent Series: Insurgent, www.lionsgate.com, RT: 11/30/14.
[19] The Divergent Series: Insurgent to be Released in 3D, www.lionsgate.com, RT: 11/5/14
[20] Mortdecai Trailer, www.youtube.com, 11/12/14. RT: 11/30/14
[21] Johnny Depp Is A British Rogue in America, www.deadline.com, The Deadline Time. 11/12/14. RT: 11/30/14.
[22] The Age of Adaline Trailer, www.youtube.com, 11/19/14. RT: 11/30/14
[23] The Age of Adaline, www.lionsgate.com, RT: 11/30/14
[24] CBS Films and Lionsgate Announce Multi-Year Film Distribution Partnership, www.lionsgate.com, 11/13/14, RT: 11/19/14
[25] The Expendables Workout, www.lionsgate.com, 11/11/14, RT: 11/19/14
[26] Lionsgate Aims for the Fences at American Film Market, variety.com, RT: 11/5/14
[27] Lionsgate and Tribeca film studios are launching a new streaming service, www.washingtonpost.com, Kang, Cecilia. 10/20/14. RT: 11/5/14
[28] Tribeca Short List, www.lionsgate.com. RT: 11/30/14
[29] Dalian Wanda Group’s Interest, www.variety.com, Lang, Brett. 12/1/14. RT: 12/1/14