Forum Views () 
Forum Replies ()  
 
 
Read more with google mobile :
Embattled Weinsteins aim for royal rebound
|  
 
 
 
 
	
	
		
Edition:
		
U.S.
		
		
	
	
		
			
				
					
					
						
					
				
				
					
					
						
					
				
				
					
					
						
					
				
			
		
	
	
	
		
			
				
				
			
		
	
 
	
 
	
 
 
	
		 
		
		 
		
		
	        
		
	
	
    	
		 
		
		 
		
		
	        
		
 
	
 
	
		
Article
    
Comments (0)
               
      
	
Save
Email
Print
Reprints
 
      
	
	
    	
		 
		
		 
		
		
	        
		
 
	
		 
		
		 
		
		
	        
		
	  
 
 
 
 
				
				
					
					
Most Popular
					
Most Shared
					
				 
			
			
	
               
      
		
		
		
Iraq combat over but U.S. troops still in danger
	8:36am EDT 
	
US scientists learn how to levitate tiny objects
	07 Jan 2009 
	
Hurricane Igor packs a punch in Atlantic Ocean
	8:08am EDT 
	
Four killed during Koran protest in Indian Kashmir
	8:19am EDT 
	
Basel eases capital fears, top banks still in spotlight
	10:41am EDT 
	
Financial stocks rise after Basel III
	10:45am EDT 
	
Artificial "skin" materials can sense pressure
	12 Sep 2010 
	
Dow rises more than 1 percent
| Video
		
	10:42am EDT 
	
Coroners examine remains from California gas blast
| Video
		
	12 Sep 2010 
	
Mexican marines capture top drug lieutenant
| Video
		
	9:14am EDT 
	
	
		
		
      
               
      
		
		
		
Iraq combat over but U.S. troops still in danger
	8:36am EDT 
	
Basel eases capital fears, top banks still in spotlight
	10:41am EDT 
	
California seeks China's help for high-speed rail
	1:07am EDT 
	
US scientists learn how to levitate tiny objects
	07 Jan 2009 
	
Walking helps keep body and brain young
	6:06am EDT 
	
Banks mull BlackBerry options for corporate email
	10 Sep 2010 
	
UPDATE 2-Nokia's Vanjoki resigns as new CEO Elop comes in
	3:36am EDT 
	
China to ease restrictions on foreign investment
	12 Sep 2010 
	
Small-business bill could be Democrats' last hope on jobs
	9:31am EDT 
	
Environment watch
	10 Sep 2010 
	
	
		
		
      
		
		
NYSE and AMEX quotes delayed by at least 20 minutes. NASDAQ delayed by at least 15 minutes. For a complete list of exchanges and delays, please click here.
		
		
	
		 
		
		 
		
		
	        
		
	
	 
New York Fashion Week in Pictures
New York Fashion Week
Richie Rich Spring/Summer 2011
Project Runway final collections 
Rag & Bone Spring 2011
Christian Siriano Spring/Summer 2011
Farah Angsana Spring/Summer 2011
» More collections
	
	
	
    	
		 
		
		 
		
		
	        
		
 
		
	
	
Embattled Weinsteins aim for royal rebound
	
     
        
            
          		
                 
            
 Tweet This
            
Share on LinkedIn
            
 Share on Facebook
            
    
               
      
 
      
               
      
	
Related News
	
		
		
Oscar hopefuls look to make splash in Toronto
Fri, Sep 10 2010
Upcoming indie films full of doom and gloom
Fri, Sep 10 2010
Hollywood updates Facebook in lineup of fall movies
Fri, Sep 3 2010
Toronto film fest boss stays cool under pressure
Thu, Sep 2 2010
Time Warner Cable, Disney near carriage agreement
Tue, Aug 31 2010
	
      
               
      
    
Related Topics
        
            
                
Fashion »
                
Entertainment »
                
Film »
                
        
    
      
               
      
 
      
               
      
 
                     
      
 
 
        
By Gregg Kilday and Alex Ben Block
        
        Mon Sep 13, 2010 3:28am EDT
        
    
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Hollywood loves nothing better than a tale of triumph over adversity.
So, after standing ovations at the Telluride and Toronto film festivals, Tom Hooper's "The King Speech" has shot to the front of the pack as an early Oscar favorite for Colin Firth's stirring portrayal of England's King George VI overcoming a speech impediment to rally his country on the eve of World War II.
Now the question is whether the embattled Weinstein Co., which is distributing the film stateside, can execute a similarly triumphant moment, turning the film into an awards juggernaut and the type of commercial success that could mark the beginning of the company's own comeback.
As awards season gets under way, there are plenty of skeptics who doubt whether the firm has the financial resources on hand for several simultaneous, full-scale Oscar campaigns as well as the release of the four movies it will bring to theaters this fall.
The company, founded by former Miramax bosses Bob and Harvey Weinstein, has regained its footing after undergoing a major financial restructuring in the summer, Weinstein senior executive David Glasser said.
"What the restructuring has done is given the company the ability to finance and distribute its slate. It's given the company a fresh start in going forward. We have a very smart, fixed budgets for the releases -- three or four pictures from Harvey and three or four pictures from Bob. It's a very focused slate going forward," Glasser said.
The producers of "The King's Speech" admitted they had heard all the naysayers when they were seeking partners for their movie, but when Harvey Weinstein pursued them, they were convinced he'd be a supportive partner -- and so far, he has more than lived up to his commitments.
"We obviously looked at that; we were assessing the best partners for the film," Emile Sherman said. "But at the end of the day, Harvey has proven himself as someone who champions movies like ours year in and year out. And we have faith he'll do that here."
The Weinstein Co. has released four movies this year, with just more than $24 million in its domestic till. "Piranha 3D" is its biggest grosser to date.
But with "Speech" leading the charge, the company is heading into awards season with four titles: John Wells' corporate-downsizing drama "The Company Men" and "Blue Valentine," Derek Cianfrance's portrait of a marriage gone bad, both of which are Sundance pickups and will come out October 22 and December 31, respectively. It also has acquired Julian Schnabel's Israel-set drama "Miral," which is down for a December 3 release. It also will be promoting Amir Bar-Lev's documentary "The Tillman Story" and, though critically applauded, has grossed a mere $428,000.
Meanwhile, the company is using Toronto to signal new signs of life. As the fest got under way, it announced it had scooped up U.S. rights to Gilles Paquet-Brenner's "Sarah's Key," starring Kristin Scott Thomas. The deal, which Harvey Weinstein had been chasing since seeing a promo reel in Cannes, substantially was completed before Labor Day weekend's Telluride festival. "Key," which plays at Toronto on Thursday, is down for a release next year.
Harvey Weinstein also was on hand to toast the "Speech" team Friday at a media dinner, including lots of members of the Golden Globe-awarding Hollywood Foreign Press Assn., at Toronto's Windsor Arms Hotel. Monday night, he'll join with Alliance Films to toast "Miral" at a cocktailer at the Art Gallery of Ontario.
Behind the scenes, the company has a phalanx of 20 acquisitions and international sales executives on hand. It is offering presales on "Scream 4" and "Spy Kids 4" as well as "My Week With Marilyn," a movie based on Marilyn Monroe's experience filming "The Prince and the Showgirl," with Michelle Williams playing Monroe opposite Kenneth Branagh as Laurence Olivier.
"We probably have some of the best presale titles out there right now," Glasser said.
Before fest's end on September 19, the company also could pick up one or two titles for domestic distribution -- it is fielding several offers. But unlike in the past, when Harvey Weinstein grabbed up a film then tried to figure out when to release it, the company is approaching any purchases more strategically, only looking to buy when it has an open date to fill. If it does walk away with Toronto titles, they'll be for the 2011 slate because the company's year-end dance card already is full.
Industry observers have, of course, predicted the demise of the Weinstein Co. for months, if not years. Last week, company critics pointed to the departure of publicity executives Dani Weinstein (no relation to the company's founders) and Sara Serlen, who left to head a New York film department for publicity firm ID, as further evidence.
But TWC has had publicity teams out in force at Toronto; it's contracted with five outside agencies, including ID, to handle various aspects of its business, including corporate PR, Oscar and Golden Globe campaigning.
Said one source who's followed the restructuring closely: "What Harvey has been saying is true: They redid the deals with investors and are re-armed and ready to make and buy movies."
In an agreement with Goldman Sachs and Assured Guaranty, the company was able to eliminate $450 million in debt by turning over ownership of about 200 of its roughly 350-film library.
As part of the deal, the Weinstein brothers were required to refocus on film production and distribution and put behind them investments in fashion, cable TV and other areas outside their core business. With what is left of the initial $1.2 billion they raised to start the company in 2007, cash flow from the remaining 150 movies in the library and revenue from ongoing distribution, they are adequately funded to carry out the new business plan, according to another insider.
Both Weinsteins have trimmed their sails. Bob is spending his time on movies for the Dimension banner like "Scream 4," and Harvey has returned to his roots making prestige and art movies on a tight budget, and masterminding plans for award season.
Instead of gambling on such big-ticket items as "Gangs of New York," "The Aviator," "Chicago" and "Nine" that have consumed his attention in the past, Harvey is making modest bets. Since so many indie distributors have left the playing field, he's able to find movies at bargain prices.
Some competitors speculated that he probably put down less than $1 million to get rights to "Key," though others believe it was a seven-figure deal. And while the Weinstein Co. is the largest investor in the $15 million "Speech," it's not a majority investor.
If "Speech" ultimately does go the distance, it will prove the Weinsteins still know how to play their hunches shrewdly.
Sherman and partner Iain Canning at See Saw Films were in the early stages of putting together the movie with Bedlam producer Gareth Unwin when TWC first came calling.
"The Weinsteins, when they read the script, to their absolute credit they saw the film's potential, and they relentlessly pursued us," Sherman said. "We weren't even happy with the script at the time, but we were getting phone calls from them three times a day because they could see what the film was going to be. They flew over their business-affairs head, and he said he wasn't leaving the country until they had a deal."
			
Fashion
			
Entertainment
			
Film
			
 
	 
     
    
    
    
 
     
    
 
       
Add a Comment
       
       
        
     
    
*We welcome comments that advance the story directly or with relevant tangential information. We try to block comments that use offensive language or appear to be spam and review comments frequently to ensure they meet our standards. If you see a comment that you believe is irrelevant or inappropriate, you can flag it to our editors by using the report abuse links. Views expressed in the comments do not represent those of Reuters.
   
 
 
		
	
		
	
		
	
		
	 
  
	
		
	
		
	
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
	
	
© Copyright 2010 Thomson Reuters
Editorial Editions:
Africa
Arabic
Argentina
Brazil
Canada
China
France
Germany
India
Italy
Japan
Latin America
Mexico
Russia
Spain
United Kingdom
United States
 
Reuters
	
Contact Us
	
Advertise With Us
	
Help
	
Journalism Handbook
	
Archive
	
Site Index
	
Video Index
	
Reader Feedback
 
	
Mobile
	
Newsletters
	
RSS
	
Podcasts
	
Widgets
	
Your View
	
Analyst Research
Thomson Reuters
	
Copyright
	
Disclaimer
	
Privacy
	
Professional Products
	
Professional Products Support
	
Financial Products
	
About Thomson Reuters
	
Careers
Online Products
	
Acquisitions Monthly
	
Buyouts
	
Venture Capital Journal
	
International Financing Review
	
Project Finance International
	
PEhub.com
	
PE Week
	
FindLaw
 Reuters on Facebook
Thomson Reuters is the world's largest international multimedia news agency, providing investing news, world news, business news, technology news, headline news, small business news, news alerts, personal finance, stock market, and mutual funds information available on Reuters.com, video, mobile, and interactive television platforms. Thomson Reuters journalists are subject to an Editorial Handbook which requires fair presentation and disclosure of relevant interests.
NYSE and AMEX quotes delayed by at least 20 minutes. Nasdaq delayed by at least 15 minutes. For a complete list of exchanges and delays, please click here.
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
 
 
 
Other News on Monday, 13 September 2010 Iran ready to free detained U.S. woman on bail  
US-TECH Summary  
Central bankers reach deal on new bank regulations  
Finesse needed on "difficult" Iran  
Artificial "skin" materials can sense pressure  
Deutsche Bank unveils record capital hike to buy Postbank  
Forbes Predicts Mukesh Ambani As Richest Man On Earth By 2014  
Netanyahu hints at settlement construction limits  
Greek PM rules out any restructuring of national debt  
Kentucky Breakfast Rage Kills 5  
Enbridge Claims Oil Spill Contained  
Four killed in clashes in northern Iraq  
Iran to release US detainee on $500,000 bail  
2 killed in Afghan anti-Quran-burning protest  
NATO says 5 insurgents killed in Afghanistan  
Thousands of Chinese swim in Taiwan lake  
Sumo event starts with vow to sever yakuza ties  
Petraeus issues guidance for Afghan contracting  
Igor strengthens to category four hurricane  
China mass measles vaccination plan sparks outcry  
Iran says to release US detainee on 500,000 dollars bail  
China summons Japanese ambassador again over boat  
Artificial skin materials can sense pressure
|  
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary  
New "Resident Evil" sequel rules world box office  
'Resident Evil' takes box office lead  
Redford digs into Lincoln assassination plot  
MTV awards revive Taylor Swift, Kanye West rivalry
|  
Redford digs into Lincoln assassination plot
|  
New Resident Evil sequel rules world box office
|  
Obama aides suggest going soft on Afghan corruption  
Robotics breakthrough: Scientists make artificial skin  
Pope's visit aimed at easing tensions with Anglicans  
Mexican marines capture top drug lieutenant
|  
Turkey referendum win puts Erdogan in poll for 2011  
Rare North Korea meet delayed due to leader's health: report
|  
Russian police swoop on opposition protest  
Mosque retreat will feed extremism, warns NY imam  
Thousands held without trial in Iraq jails: Amnesty  
French New Wave film director Claude Chabrol dies at 80  
Greek PM rules out any restructuring of national debt  
Japan frees China boat crew, calls for gas talks
|  
Police, Reporters Far Outnumber Protesters In Front Of Controversial Church  
U.S. handover puts Iraqi prisoners at risk  
Pope praises Catholic convert ahead of Britain trip  
Brazil's Rousseff takes heat in televised debate
|  
British troops in Afghanistan face heroin smuggling probe  
Japan PM candidates woo undecided MPs before vote
|  
Backers of Guinea election rivals clash in streets
|  
2 killed in Afghan anti-Quran-burning protest  
Turkey referendum win puts Erdogan in pole for 2011
|  
Israeli shelling kills 3 Palestinians in Gaza  
Netanyahu hints at settlement construction limits  
Philippine Muslim rebels say ready for peace talks  
S.Korea activists to stage anti-G20 protests  
U.S. handover puts Iraqi prisoners at risk: Amnesty
|  
Iran ready to free detained U.S. woman on bail  
Japan PM and rival in party leadership showdown  
Instant View  
Thailand denies visas to Vietnam rights activists  
Take That in live show reunion  
Thailand denies entry to Vietnam activists: group  
Lady Gaga the big winner at MTV music awards  
Health of N.Korea's Kim delays key party meeting  
NBC originally said no to release of 'SNL' doc  
Chinese martial arts master to teach Fijians tai chi  
Geithner not satisfied with China progress on yuan  
Danny Boyle comes to the rescue of French filmmaker  
Japan PM candidates woo undecided MPs before vote  
Boyle, Franco challenged in survival film "127 Hours"  
Wife directs Bollywood star Aamir Khan in latest film  
India's lost Buddhist university to rise from ashes  
Take That's Williams, Barlow reunite for charity  
Igor strengthens to category four hurricane  
NZ quake rebuild to boost 2011/12 GDP  
Seoul shares hit new 27-mth closing high on autos  
Korea Fin Corp eyes up to $750 mln bond sale this wk  
Bidder to appeal ruling on AIG Taiwan unit: report  
Bidder to appeal ruling on AIG Taiwan unit-paper  
Korea Hot Stocks  
KNOC eyes up to $1 bln foreign bond sale in 2010  
Seoul shares rise; Hyundai Homeshopping rallies  
Carrefour cuts rivals from S.E Asian store auction: report  
Lady Gaga the big winner at MTV music awards
|  
Boyle, Franco challenged in survival film 127 Hours
|  
Take That's Williams, Barlow reunite for charity
|  
Sofia Coppola's film on celebrity wins in Venice
|  
U.N. nuclear body and Iran clash over barred inspectors  
Fourteen killed in Koran protests across Indian Kashmir
|  
Google to buy Israel's Quicksee: report  
Iraq combat over but U.S. troops still in danger  
Air strikes kill 14 in Afghanistan: NATO  
Mobile phone users enlist YouMail "digital secretary"  
U.N. nuclear body, Iran clash over barred inspectors
|  
Trial Begins Of Lesbian Discharged From Air Force  
EU tips faster euro economy growth of 1.7% for 2010  
Iran frees rights activist on bail  
Man Goes To Grab Wallet, Instead Grabs Pistol And Shoots Himself  
Cyanide Suspected In Lab Technician's Death  
Plane crashes in Venezuela with 47 on board
|  
Bank shares rally despite new tough rules on capital  
Polo Ralph Lauren Holds Successful Fashion's Night Out Events  
Philippines searches for mother of newborn left in plane
|  
BAE Systems eyes sale of US unit Platform Solutions  
Grey's Anatomy Season Six Available September 14 On DVD  
NATO: Airstrikes kill 14 insurgents in Afghanistan  
Turkish referendum win boosts Erdogan and markets
|  
Scientists warn research slowdown poses global threat  
Special Representative To Muslim Communities Cites U.S. Goodwill With Islam  
Venezuela to compensate Holcim cement  
Study: Number Of Childhood Basketball-Related Brain Injuries Spike  
Afghans say ready to secure parliamentary poll
|  
Greece fears renewed fuel shortage  
Saudis hope palm date trade will enliven remote town
|  
Lady Gaga Dominates MTV VMAs With 8 Wins  
Enbridge Targets September 27 Deadline On Oil Spill Cleanup  
Two UK men ran illegal sperm donor agency
|  
"Resident Evil: Afterlife" Finishes First At Weekend Box Office  
Russia says EU stalling on visa-free travel
|  
Iraq, US dispute Amnesty prison abuse claims  
Clinton heads to Mideast to boost peace talks  
U.S. says Russia "closer than ever" to WTO  
Artificial skin materials can sense pressure
|  
Govt says 42% of Israeli Jews are secular  
HP to pay $1.5 billion for security firm ArcSight
|  
Lady Gaga stylist to design for Thierry Mugler  
Google to launch e-book service in Japan in 2011  
Google to buy Israel's Quicksee: report
|  
China an 'important engine' for world economy: PM  
U.S. actor McCarthy of "Body Snatchers" fame dies  
EU struggles to persuade Italy over Korea trade deal  
MTV awards agog for Lady Gaga  
Strong China data lifts Asian markets  
Embattled Weinsteins aim for royal rebound  
Bollywood star apologises over Mumbai attacks remark  
China central bank welcomes new bank regulations  
PREVIEW-New Zealand quake to stall rates until 2011  
Moody's: Shinhan Financial reputation damaged  
Asia shrugs off global banking shake-up  
Cambodia garment workers begin big strike over pay  
Schwarzenegger keen on China high-speed rail  
Embattled Weinsteins aim for royal rebound
|  
U.S. actor McCarthy of Body Snatchers fame dies
|  
Favoritism charges follow Tarantino Venice awards
|  
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro  
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found  
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever  
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production  
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time  
AMD to Start Production of piledriver  
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs  
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia  
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air  
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch  
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent  
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up  
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform  
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis  
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets  
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights