Sony’s Will Gluck-directed Anyone But You crossed $200M globally over this past weekend, injecting fresh life into the romcom genre and proving yet again that when done right, these films can travel theatrically and bring audiences together for a communal experience.
Savvy marketing, viral moments and two hot young stars in Glen Powell and Sydney Sweeney — each with significant social engagement — were a key factor to the $25M film’s success. Some of the numbers are staggering: There have been 2.8 billion views of the hashtag #AnyoneButYou on TikTok. And, it was unexpected icing that a 20-year-old song, Natasha Bedingfield’s “Unwritten,” became an anthem for fans.
Since it began a staggered overseas rollout in December with the UK and Australia the only majors in play until mid-January, Anyone But You kept seeing incredible holds, some weeks down infinitesimally and some weeks up by a good margin.
Domestically, we...
Savvy marketing, viral moments and two hot young stars in Glen Powell and Sydney Sweeney — each with significant social engagement — were a key factor to the $25M film’s success. Some of the numbers are staggering: There have been 2.8 billion views of the hashtag #AnyoneButYou on TikTok. And, it was unexpected icing that a 20-year-old song, Natasha Bedingfield’s “Unwritten,” became an anthem for fans.
Since it began a staggered overseas rollout in December with the UK and Australia the only majors in play until mid-January, Anyone But You kept seeing incredible holds, some weeks down infinitesimally and some weeks up by a good margin.
Domestically, we...
- 2/29/2024
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
“The next 12 months looks pretty good,” said one attendee.
Slate diversity, sustainability, the return of the theatrical window and the Tom Cruise wow factor dominated conversations between distributors and exhibitors in Barcelona at CineEurope (June 20-23), the annual convention for European cinema operators. The event returned to its June slot following a pandemic-impacted October edition last year, and no CineEurope at all in 2020.
Studios promise life beyond the blockbuster
While box office has been showing healthy signs of recovery in most markets in 2022, the success has been driven by a relatively small number of blockbusters, with cinema operators lamenting a lack of mid-tier dramas,...
Slate diversity, sustainability, the return of the theatrical window and the Tom Cruise wow factor dominated conversations between distributors and exhibitors in Barcelona at CineEurope (June 20-23), the annual convention for European cinema operators. The event returned to its June slot following a pandemic-impacted October edition last year, and no CineEurope at all in 2020.
Studios promise life beyond the blockbuster
While box office has been showing healthy signs of recovery in most markets in 2022, the success has been driven by a relatively small number of blockbusters, with cinema operators lamenting a lack of mid-tier dramas,...
- 6/24/2022
- by Charles Gant
- ScreenDaily
Among studios, Sony was first up with its presentation here at CineEurope in Barcelona which kicked off on Monday. “As an industry, we are anything but done,” declared Sony Pictures International Releasing’s President Steven O’Dell at the top of the show. The studio is coming off of its most ambitious six-month slate ever, which it began rolling out in the fall and wrapped up with the 1.9B worldwide smash Spider-Man: No Way Home, and the January hit Uncharted.
Said O’Dell, “Audiences love the social cinema experience enough to overcome obstacles, especially if we give them films with clear theatrical windows.”
Coming up, Sony showed off the first scenes and first trailer for Lyle, Lyle Crocodile — the adaptation of the classic children’s book that stars Javier Bardem and Constance Wu with Shawn Mendes voicing the titular reptile. This was new footage that had not been seen at CinemaCon in April.
Said O’Dell, “Audiences love the social cinema experience enough to overcome obstacles, especially if we give them films with clear theatrical windows.”
Coming up, Sony showed off the first scenes and first trailer for Lyle, Lyle Crocodile — the adaptation of the classic children’s book that stars Javier Bardem and Constance Wu with Shawn Mendes voicing the titular reptile. This was new footage that had not been seen at CinemaCon in April.
- 6/21/2022
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Sony made a splash at the CineEurope conference in Barcelona with British star Aaron Taylor-Johnson on the ground to tease David Leitch’s “Bullet Train,” in which Taylor-Johnson stars opposite Brad Pitt, Sandra Bullock and Karen Fukuhara. Taylor-Johnson, who just wrapped the shoot of “Kraven the Hunter,” introduced 15 minutes of footage of the action-packed comedy thriller “Bullet Train,” which was also shown at CinemaCon.
“I watched (the movie) last week and I was literally howling with laughter to the point that I almost peed on my seat a little. But honestly, this is the summer movie you do not want to miss — I am not kidding,” said Taylor-Johnson. “It follows the ultimate legend Brad Pitt like you’ve never seen him before, surrounded by an incredible ensemble of absolutely bombastic, unhinged assassins who are connected but with conflicting agendas. You just can’t help but love Brad Pitt. I mean,...
“I watched (the movie) last week and I was literally howling with laughter to the point that I almost peed on my seat a little. But honestly, this is the summer movie you do not want to miss — I am not kidding,” said Taylor-Johnson. “It follows the ultimate legend Brad Pitt like you’ve never seen him before, surrounded by an incredible ensemble of absolutely bombastic, unhinged assassins who are connected but with conflicting agendas. You just can’t help but love Brad Pitt. I mean,...
- 6/20/2022
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Sony Pictures kicked off this year’s return-to-normal CinemaCon on Monday evening as the first major studio to unveil its slate of forthcoming titles at the Las Vegas event. The studio is already the crowned king of Hollywood in 2022 thanks to the massive success of “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” which since releasing in late December cleared 1.89 billion globally and is the sixth highest-grossing movie of all time. No small feat in a pandemic or any other time, really, and with an 88-day theatrical window, as Sony brass pointed out.
The presentation inside the Caesars Palace Colosseum is hosted by Sony Pictures chairman and CEO Tom Rothman, Sony Pictures president Josh Greenstein, president of international releasing Steven O’Dell, and president of domestic releasing Adrian Smith. “When I was here seven months ago, I said theatrical would triumph and indeed it has, and we did it together,” said Greenstein upon the presentation’s start,...
The presentation inside the Caesars Palace Colosseum is hosted by Sony Pictures chairman and CEO Tom Rothman, Sony Pictures president Josh Greenstein, president of international releasing Steven O’Dell, and president of domestic releasing Adrian Smith. “When I was here seven months ago, I said theatrical would triumph and indeed it has, and we did it together,” said Greenstein upon the presentation’s start,...
- 4/26/2022
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
It wouldn’t be the return of CinemaCon in full force without the cheerleaders. As exhibitors, distributors, and press trooped back into Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, it didn’t take long to get some dramatic data points about the true power of theatrical releases.
Cinépolis CEO Alejandro Ramírez Magaña, who oversees the world’s fourth-largest theater chain, had a message for studio execs sitting at front-and-center reserved tables: The best way to avoid piracy is a healthy and exclusive theatrical window. On the flip side, day-and-date streaming is perfect if you want your film to be pirated — it’s virtually a guarantee for illegal downloading and a loss of revenue. And: He brought receipts (and his corporate communications team sent them to IndieWire).
Day-and-date continues to be a highly unpopular strategy among the exhibitors at CinemaCon. Marvel’s “Black Widow” went day-and-date in theaters and on Disney+ on 2020. Ahead of its merger with Discovery,...
Cinépolis CEO Alejandro Ramírez Magaña, who oversees the world’s fourth-largest theater chain, had a message for studio execs sitting at front-and-center reserved tables: The best way to avoid piracy is a healthy and exclusive theatrical window. On the flip side, day-and-date streaming is perfect if you want your film to be pirated — it’s virtually a guarantee for illegal downloading and a loss of revenue. And: He brought receipts (and his corporate communications team sent them to IndieWire).
Day-and-date continues to be a highly unpopular strategy among the exhibitors at CinemaCon. Marvel’s “Black Widow” went day-and-date in theaters and on Disney+ on 2020. Ahead of its merger with Discovery,...
- 4/25/2022
- by Tony Maglio and Chris Lindahl
- Indiewire
Exclusive: Sony Pictures and cinema tech firm Cj 4DPlex have set a deal spanning 15 films over three years to play in the immersive 270-degree ScreenX format.
The agreement will begin with Venom: Let There Be Carnage in September and continue with nine releases over the next year, including Spider-Man: No Way Home.
The Venom sequel will play in more than 350 ScreenX auditoriums across the country and around the world. ScreenX extends the feature image beyond the confines of the main screen and uses the theater walls to enhance the experience. Along with the 270-degree ScreenX projection, Cj 4DPlex’s 4Dx technology uses effects like motion-synchronized seats, wind, fog, rain, lightning, snow, bubble, vibration and scents.
The Sony deal marks CJ4DPlex’s return to pre-pandemic operations. The company, which is part of Korea’s Cj Group, has recently added 35 ScreenX locations to boost its network to 355 worldwide.
While streaming has...
The agreement will begin with Venom: Let There Be Carnage in September and continue with nine releases over the next year, including Spider-Man: No Way Home.
The Venom sequel will play in more than 350 ScreenX auditoriums across the country and around the world. ScreenX extends the feature image beyond the confines of the main screen and uses the theater walls to enhance the experience. Along with the 270-degree ScreenX projection, Cj 4DPlex’s 4Dx technology uses effects like motion-synchronized seats, wind, fog, rain, lightning, snow, bubble, vibration and scents.
The Sony deal marks CJ4DPlex’s return to pre-pandemic operations. The company, which is part of Korea’s Cj Group, has recently added 35 ScreenX locations to boost its network to 355 worldwide.
While streaming has...
- 8/2/2021
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Veteran executive Brett Hogg has been promoted to head of Sony Pictures film and television operations across Asia. He will remain at his current base in Singapore.
He has been senior VP of international distribution for Sony Pictures Releasing International in the Asia region, supervising the Sony Pictures Releasing operations across Southeast Asia, China and India for theatrical distribution. These comprise a mixture of subsidiary and agent licensee operations.
Hogg is now additionally is taking over the Sony Pictures Television responsibilities previously held by Ken Lo, who will be leaving at the end of the year. That means he will report to Steven O’Dell, president of international distribution for Spe’s motion picture group, and to Mike Wald, EVP of Spe’s international distribution and networks.
This is the third high-profile reshuffle of Asia personnel to be announced by Hollywood studios in the past month, and reflects their restructuring in...
He has been senior VP of international distribution for Sony Pictures Releasing International in the Asia region, supervising the Sony Pictures Releasing operations across Southeast Asia, China and India for theatrical distribution. These comprise a mixture of subsidiary and agent licensee operations.
Hogg is now additionally is taking over the Sony Pictures Television responsibilities previously held by Ken Lo, who will be leaving at the end of the year. That means he will report to Steven O’Dell, president of international distribution for Spe’s motion picture group, and to Mike Wald, EVP of Spe’s international distribution and networks.
This is the third high-profile reshuffle of Asia personnel to be announced by Hollywood studios in the past month, and reflects their restructuring in...
- 12/21/2020
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
“Ultimately, these changes will better position us as a studio for when we come out of this pandemic.”
Sony Pictures Entertainment is to adopt a regional model for its international film marketing and distribution teams as part of a corporate restructure that will also see theatrical, home entertainment and television distribution marketing teams merge in the US.
As part of the restructure, announced on Tuesday (October 27) by Sony’s motion picture group president Josh Greenstein and networks and distribution president Keith Le Goy (pictured), co-president of global marketing Andre Caraco has chosen to depart after more than 30 years at the studio.
Sony Pictures Entertainment is to adopt a regional model for its international film marketing and distribution teams as part of a corporate restructure that will also see theatrical, home entertainment and television distribution marketing teams merge in the US.
As part of the restructure, announced on Tuesday (October 27) by Sony’s motion picture group president Josh Greenstein and networks and distribution president Keith Le Goy (pictured), co-president of global marketing Andre Caraco has chosen to depart after more than 30 years at the studio.
- 10/27/2020
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
“Ultimately, these changes will better position us as a studio for when we come out of this pandemic.”
Sony Pictures Entertainment is to adopt a regional model for its international film marketing and distribution teams as part of a corporate restructure that will also see theatrical, home entertainment and television distribution marketing teams merge in the US.
As part of the restructure, announced on Tuesday (October 27) by Sony’s motion picture group president Josh Greenstein and networks and distribution president Keith Le Goy (pictured), co-president of global marketing Andre Caraco has chosen to depart after more than 30 years at the studio.
Sony Pictures Entertainment is to adopt a regional model for its international film marketing and distribution teams as part of a corporate restructure that will also see theatrical, home entertainment and television distribution marketing teams merge in the US.
As part of the restructure, announced on Tuesday (October 27) by Sony’s motion picture group president Josh Greenstein and networks and distribution president Keith Le Goy (pictured), co-president of global marketing Andre Caraco has chosen to depart after more than 30 years at the studio.
- 10/27/2020
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Layoffs hit Sony Pictures Entertainment as the studio announced on Tuesday it would be merging its theatrical, home entertainment, and television distribution marketing teams, while Andre Caraco is stepping down from his post as co-president of Global Marketing.Josh Greenstein, president of Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group, and Keith Le Goy, president of networks and distribution at Sony Pictures Television, announced the merger in an email to staff members.
“While I understand Andre’s decision that this is the right time personally for him to move on, the company and I myself will miss him hugely,” says Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group Chairman Tom Rothman in a statement to TheWrap. “He is a superior executive. His smarts, insight, experience and enthusiasm make him an exceptional colleague and a gifted film maven. He is, also, a true class act. I join everyone here in expressing our gratitude and wishing him joy.
“While I understand Andre’s decision that this is the right time personally for him to move on, the company and I myself will miss him hugely,” says Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group Chairman Tom Rothman in a statement to TheWrap. “He is a superior executive. His smarts, insight, experience and enthusiasm make him an exceptional colleague and a gifted film maven. He is, also, a true class act. I join everyone here in expressing our gratitude and wishing him joy.
- 10/27/2020
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
Sony is merging its theatrical, home entertainment and TV distribution marketing operations under the co-oversee of Josh Greenstein, the studio’s Motion Picture Group President, and Keith Le Goy, the studio’s Networks and Distribution President.
The move comes at time for the Culver City, CA studio as it responds to viewers’ changing viewing habits during the pandemic, and the need to respond to emerging release patterns by harnessing Sony’s collective expertise in marketing a title through its entire lifecycle, across all platforms.
Due to the combining of departments, we hear that roughly 35 staffers were cut in distribution and marketing. While studio brass have been considering this type of restructuring for some time, the pandemic further hastened that decision.
Stateside, all theatrical, home entertainment and television distribution marketing divisions will be brought together, while there will be a regional model for those businesses abroad.
In the U.S., Sony...
The move comes at time for the Culver City, CA studio as it responds to viewers’ changing viewing habits during the pandemic, and the need to respond to emerging release patterns by harnessing Sony’s collective expertise in marketing a title through its entire lifecycle, across all platforms.
Due to the combining of departments, we hear that roughly 35 staffers were cut in distribution and marketing. While studio brass have been considering this type of restructuring for some time, the pandemic further hastened that decision.
Stateside, all theatrical, home entertainment and television distribution marketing divisions will be brought together, while there will be a regional model for those businesses abroad.
In the U.S., Sony...
- 10/27/2020
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
The 2020 edition of CineEurope got underway online today with executives chiming in on what exhibition and distribution will look like as coronavirus restrictions ease. The studios normally would have been in Barcelona this week to show off their upcoming slates to European exhibitors. Instead, Film Expo Group did a nice job of pivoting to an online conference that on Day One served up messages from executives, and even Christopher Nolan.
Nolan’s Tenet is one of the most anticipated films of the year, and certainly one of the first due to open as theaters come back online (Warner Bros recently moved it from July 17 to July 31). The director, who is a big proponent of the theatrical experience, sent a taped missive to CineEurope participants. Here’s what he said:
“We’re in the final throes of it. I don’t want to say too much about it other than we...
Nolan’s Tenet is one of the most anticipated films of the year, and certainly one of the first due to open as theaters come back online (Warner Bros recently moved it from July 17 to July 31). The director, who is a big proponent of the theatrical experience, sent a taped missive to CineEurope participants. Here’s what he said:
“We’re in the final throes of it. I don’t want to say too much about it other than we...
- 6/17/2020
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Disney’s global distribution president Cathleen Taff said cinemas will need to “over-deliver” when they reopen, but that the “at-home experience” is not sustainable in the long term.
Speaking at a virtual CineEurope panel on Wednesday, the executive revealed she was bracing for “a little skepticism” about the process of reopening movie theaters. “The challenge for us as a production company is that films are going to have to stand out,” she said.
“[Audiences] want to dip into it, and so we are going to have to over-deliver on why people are going in the first place,” said Taff. “It has got to be an immersive story; it has got to have characters they connect to emotionally, and then have that shared community experience they can talk about, laugh about and cry about and feel that it was exceptional for them to come back again and again.”
One of the first...
Speaking at a virtual CineEurope panel on Wednesday, the executive revealed she was bracing for “a little skepticism” about the process of reopening movie theaters. “The challenge for us as a production company is that films are going to have to stand out,” she said.
“[Audiences] want to dip into it, and so we are going to have to over-deliver on why people are going in the first place,” said Taff. “It has got to be an immersive story; it has got to have characters they connect to emotionally, and then have that shared community experience they can talk about, laugh about and cry about and feel that it was exceptional for them to come back again and again.”
One of the first...
- 6/17/2020
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
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