Relativity Media, LLC has purchased Rogue Pictures from Universal Pictures, CEO Ryan Kavanaugh announced today. With this deal, Relativity has acquired Rogue’s entire library, its more than 30 projects in development and ownership of its producing deals, including the legendary horror mastermind, Wes Craven and Intrepid.
The first picture set for release under this new deal is writer/director David S. Goyer’s (The Dark Knight) new horror film, The Unborn, produced by Michael Bay and his Platinum Dunes production company. The Unborn is a supernatural thriller that follows Casey (Odette Yustman) a young woman pulled into a world of nightmares when a demonic spirit haunts her and threatens everyone she loves. Plagued by merciless dreams and a tortured ghost that haunts her waking hours, Casey learns that the spirit may be the soul of her unborn twin brother and must turn to the only person who can make it stop– Rabbi Sendak (Gary Oldman). The Unborn opens January 9, 2009.
Relativity expects to release three additional pictures in 2009, including Craven’s thriller 25/8, and release a minimum of two films per year each year thereafter. Relativity’s President of Production Tucker Tooley and his team will oversee all future productions. As part of the deal Universal will continue to handle distribution of Rogue Pictures for most of the world. Today’s announcement comes on the heels of Relativity’s landmark equity partnership with Universal (announced earlier this fall) where Relativity will fund a substantial part of Universal’s upcoming slate until 2015.
“Rogue is a recognized brand worldwide,” said Kavanaugh. “They’ve had success in the horror space in particular, which is something we can expand upon. This purchase allows us to pair our production and finance abilities alongside Universal’s extraordinary marketing and distribution team, under the umbrella of a strong and highly-focused brand.”
Said Michael Joe, Executive Vice President of Universal Pictures, “Relativity is acquiring a strong, profitable business, and we are pleased to be working with them to continue marketing and distributing Rogue films. We know Ryan and his team will continue to ensure Rogue has an opportunity to flourish.”
Founded in 2004 by David Linde and James Schamus, Rogue Pictures is devoted to producing high-quality suspense, action, thriller, comedy and urban entertainment with mainstream appeal and franchise potential. Past hits include: The Strangers, Waist Deep, The Hitcher, Balls of Fury, Dave Chapelle’s Block Party, Unleashed, Doomsday, Fearless, and Assault on Precinct 13.
