Film Deal with Sony
May 29 2007 - 3:01AM
UK Regulatory
RNS Number:2927X
Handmade PLC
29 May 2007
For immediate release 29 May 2007
HandMade plc
("HandMade" or "the Company")
SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT ACQUIRES RIGHTS TO NORTH AMERICA AND A SIGNIFICANT
NUMBER OF INTERNATIONAL TERRITORIES FOR
"THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY"
HandMade Plc (HMF.L), the rights ownership, film production, merchandising and
licensing company, is pleased to announce that Sony Pictures Entertainment
(Sony) has acquired the rights for North America and several other significant
territories to HandMade's forthcoming feature THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY.
THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY is a contemporary remake of the classic 1980 British
gangland crime thriller. Paul W.S. Anderson (ALIEN VS PREDATOR, RESIDENT EVIL,
EVENT HORIZON) is writing and will direct the film. Producers are Jeremy Bolt,
Paul Anderson's producing partner, and Patrick Meehan for HandMade Films.
Casting has already commenced in the United States, with production expected to
begin in Miami in 2008.
The budget for the film is approximately $40million. Distribution license
agreements already concluded stand at $27million with further agreements for
$15million currently in negotiation. Anticipated earnings to HandMade from
sales commissions, licensing and producer fees are likely to be in excess of
$6million.
In addition to the Sony deal, Handmade Films International can also announce
individual territorial license agreements on The Long Good Friday are now in
place with Poland (Vision), Greece (Odeon), Portugal (Lusormundo), Thailand (M
Films), Indonesia, (PT Amero), Brazil (Imagern), CIS (Paradise), Czech/Hungary
(Intersonic), Former Yugoslavia (VTI), Romania (Odeon), Middle East (ECS), and
Turkey (Fida). Discussions are also underway with all remaining territories
which Handmade Films International expects to close in Cannes.
Commenting on this announcement, Patrick Meehan, Chairman of HandMade plc, said:
"We are very excited about starting a relationship with Sony Pictures
Entertainment. We knew from the moment that they approached us with the idea of
a remake that we had a tremendous opportunity ahead of us. This is another
significant milestone for HandMade."
For more information please contact:
HandMade plc 020 7518 8230
Patrrick Meehan, Chairman
David Ravden, CEO
Buchanan Communications 020 7466 5000
Tim Anderson, Mary-Jane Johnson
Canaccord Adams 020 7050 6500
Mark Williams
Notes to Editors
About HandMade Plc
HandMade Plc, which encompasses HandMade Films International and HandMade Film
Productions, is a content and international rights owning and film production
company with one of the UK's largest independent film libraries. Titles include
not only Long Good Friday but also classics such as Time Bandits, Mona Lisa and
Withnail and I. HandMade plc acquires, owns and exploits intellectual property
rights, comprising film, TV and theatrical productions, book and music rights,
and merchandising.
HandMade are the sole owners of all ancillary and merchandising rights,
worldwide, in the 'Eloise' series of books and specialise in the marketing and
branding of all 'Eloise' merchandise plus production and marketing of remakes of
all films in their library. HandMade plc has traded on AIM since May 2006.
About Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions Group
Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions Group is a Sony Pictures Entertainment
company. SPE is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America, (SCA), a subsidiary
of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass motion
picture production and distribution; television production and distribution;
digital content creation and distribution; worldwide channel investments; home
entertainment acquisition and distribution; operation of studio facilities;
development of new entertainment products, services and technologies; and
distribution of filmed entertainment in 67 countries. Sony Pictures
Entertainment can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.sonypictures.com
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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