Amblin Partners Explained

Storyteller Distribution Co., LLC
Trade Name:Amblin Partners, LLC.
Type:Joint venture
Predecessor:DreamWorks SKG
Location City:Universal City, California
Location Country:United States
Area Served:Worldwide
Industry:Entertainment

Storyteller Distribution Co., LLC, doing business as Amblin Partners, LLC., is an American independent entertainment production company. It develops and produces films under the Amblin Entertainment and DreamWorks Pictures banners, as well as television series through Amblin Television.

The company's investment partners include Reliance Group's Reliance Entertainment, Lionsgate Studios, Alibaba Group's Alibaba Pictures, and NBCUniversal/Comcast's Universal Pictures.[1] Films produced by Amblin Partners are primarily distributed by Universal in North America and select international territories, and by third-party distributors through Mister Smith Entertainment in other countries.[2]

History

Amblin Partners, LLC. was founded by Steven Spielberg, Jeff Skoll of Participant Media, Anil Ambani of Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group, and Darren Throop of Entertainment One on December 16, 2015. The company primarily would focus on producing and distributing films and television using the DreamWorks Pictures, Amblin Entertainment, and Participant Media brands.[3] For films, it uses the original DreamWorks label for mature content, Amblin label for family-friendly content (with the exception of Maestro, which is rated R), and Participant label for social justice content, although the latter remained a separate company.[4]

On the same day as the company's formation, Amblin Partners announced that it entered into a five-year distribution deal with Universal Pictures by which the films would be distributed and marketed by either the main Universal banner or its specialty label, Focus Features.[5] [6] The Girl on the Train was the first film released under the deal.[7] Mister Smith Entertainment, which began its international distribution deal with DreamWorks on August 2012,[8] continued to handle distribution sales for Amblin Partners in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

On October 9, 2016, Amblin Partners struck a deal with China's Alibaba Pictures, in which Alibaba acquired a minority equity stake in the company and would handle marketing, distribution support, and merchandising of Amblin Partners films in China in addition to co-financing Amblin Entertainment and DreamWorks Pictures films worldwide.[9] [10] On February 15, 2017, Comcast's Universal acquired a minority stake in Amblin Partners,[11] strengthening the relationship between Universal and Amblin.[12]

On December 18, 2017, Amblin Partners signed a music publishing deal with BMG Rights Management, covering music from its films and television series.[13]

Transfer of eOne's stake

On August 22, 2019, Hasbro announced that it would acquire Entertainment One for at least $4 billion. The acquisition was completed on December 30, 2019, resulting in the toy company inheriting Entertainment One's stake in Amblin Partners.[14]

On November 30, 2020, Amblin Partners renewed its distribution deal with Universal, which continued to be an equity stake holder.[15] That same month however, Participant terminated its equity stake in Amblin Partners, ending its relationship with the company.

On June 21, 2021, Amblin Partners signed a multi-year deal to produce "multiple new feature films per year" for Netflix.[16]

On November 17, 2022, Hasbro announced that was selling part of Entertainment One's TV and film business not directly supporting their Branded Entertainment strategy, which included their stake in Amblin Partners.[17] [18] In March 2023, Deadline reported that Lionsgate (which Hasbro attempted to acquire in 2017), Fremantle, and Legendary Entertainment were among bidders for the assets of Entertainment One.[19] The following month, it was reported Lionsgate, Legendary, and GoDigital Media Group were among the potential buyers, with Fremantle dropping out of contention following an increase in the selling price, which was beyond what the company was willing to pay for the assets.[20] On April 20, 2023, it was reported that Hasbro was in talks with Throop, whose bid was backed by CVC Capital Partners, on the possibility of buying the company back.[21]

On July 11, 2023, Amblin Partners announced it entered a partnership with its distributor, Universal, where the latter will co-finance Amblin's productions, as Amblin announced it would lay off 20% of its staff.[22] In the same month Deadline reported that Lionsgate was a frontrunner to acquire Entertainment One, with Legendary and GoDigital still among the potential buyers and Throop attempting to launch another bid for the company after his previous attempt with CVC failed.[23]

On August 3, 2023, Lionsgate announced it would acquire Entertainment One from Hasbro for $500 million, with the transaction closed on December 27, 2023.[24]

Film library

Released

TitleRelease dateLabelOther production companiesDistributor
The BFG July 1, 2016 Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
The Light Between Oceans September 2, 2016 Touchstone Pictures, Reliance Entertainment, Participant Media and Heyday Films
The Girl on the Train October 7, 2016 Universal Pictures
Office Christmas Party December 9, 2016 Reliance Entertainment, Entertainment 360 and Bluegrass FilmsParamount Pictures
A Dog's Purpose January 27, 2017 Universal Pictures
Ghost in the Shell March 31, 2017 Reliance Entertainment, Grosvenor Park Productions, Seaside Entertainment and Arad ProductionsParamount Pictures
Thank You for Your Service October 27, 2017 Reliance Entertainment and Rahway Road Productions Universal Pictures
The Post December 22, 2017 Reliance Entertainment, Pascal Pictures and Star Thrower Entertainment 20th Century Fox[25]
7 Days in Entebbe March 16, 2018 Focus Features
The House with a Clock in Its Walls September 21, 2018 Universal Pictures
First Man October 12, 2018 Temple Hill Entertainment, Phantasma Films, and Perfect World Pictures
Green Book November 16, 2018 Participant Media, Innisfree Pictures and Cinetic Media
Welcome to Marwen December 21, 2018 ImageMovers and Perfect World Pictures
On the Basis of Sex December 25, 2018 Focus Features
Captive State March 15, 2019 Lightfuse & Gettaway
A Dog's Journey May 17, 2019 Universal Pictures
Dark Waters November 22, 2019 Focus Features
1917 December 25, 2019 New Republic Pictures, Neal Street Productions and Mogambo Universal Pictures
The Turning January 24, 2020 Vertigo Entertainment[26]
Come Play October 30, 2020 Amblin Partners Focus Features[27]
Stillwater July 30, 2021 Slow Pony, Anonymous Content, 3dot Productions and Supernatural Pictures
Finch November 5, 2021 Apple TV+
Easter Sunday August 5, 2022 Universal Pictures
The Good House September 30, 2022 Lionsgate
The Fabelmans November 11, 2022 Universal Pictures
The Last Voyage of the Demeter August 11, 2023 Reliance Entertainment, Storyworks Productions, Studio Babelsberg, Phoenix Pictures and Wise Owl Media[28]
Maestro[29] November 22, 2023 Sikelia Productions, Fred Berner Films and Joint Effort Netflix
The Color Purple[30] December 25, 2023 OW Films, SGS Pictures, Quincy Jones Productions and Domain Entertainment Warner Bros. Pictures
Twisters July 19, 2024 The Kennedy/Marshall Company and Domain Entertainment Universal Pictures
Warner Bros. Pictures

Upcoming

TitleRelease dateLabelOther production companiesFilm distributor
Carry-On[31] 2024 Dylan Clark Productions Netflix
Untitled Jurassic World film[32] July 2, 2025 Universal Pictures
Untitled Bee Gees biopic 2025[33] Scott Free Productions, GK Films and Sister Films Paramount Pictures
Distant[34] TBA Automatik Entertainment and Six Foot Turkey Productions Universal Pictures

In development

TitleLabelOther production companiesFilm distributor
Arachnophobia[35] TBA TBA
Apeirogon[36] TBA
American Reaper[37] Intrepid Pictures
Assassins Anonymous[38] TBA
Beautiful Ruins[39] Neal Street Productions
Carrier[40] Automatik Entertainment and QCode
Cheshire Crossing[41] Michael De Luca Productions
Confessions in B-Flat[42] Orit Entertainment and Marcy Place Productions
Hamnet[43] Hera Pictures, Neal Street Productions and Book of Shadows Focus Features[44]
Homecoming Queen[45] TBA TBA
Miss Macy[46]
Super in Love[47]
Stage 13[48]
The Act[49]
The Bear[50] Marc Platt Productions
The Exchange[51] Escape Artists
The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August[52] Blueprint Pictures and OddBall Entertainment
The Kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara[53] Spielberg/Krieger[54]
The Light of Days[55] TBA TBA
The Richest Black Girl in America[56]
The Switch[57]
The Thursday Murder Club[58] Amblin EntertainmentNetflix[59]
Untitled Jutta Kleinschmidt biopic[60] TBA87North Productions and Devonsheer MediaTBA
Untitled true-life show choir film[61] Safehouse Pictures
Upgrade[62] TBA

Notes and References

  1. Web site: DreamWorks Studios, Participant Media, Reliance Entertainment and Entertainment One Form Amblin Partners, a New Film, Television and Digital Content Creation Company. 2015-12-16. Participant. en. 2021-01-03.
  2. News: McNary. Dave. November 4, 2016. AFM: Mister Smith Pacts Power its Picture Pipeline. Variety. August 27, 2020.
  3. News: Cieply. Michael. Steven Spielberg and DreamWorks Studios in Deal to Form New Company. December 23, 2015. The New York Times. December 16, 2015.
  4. Web site: Steven Spielberg's DreamWorks Relaunches as Amblin Partners. The Wall Street Journal. December 16, 2015. December 16, 2015.
  5. News: Lang. Brent. Steven Spielberg, Jeff Skoll Bring Amblin Partners, LLC. to Universal. December 23, 2015. Variety. December 16, 2015.
  6. News: Busch. Anita. It's Official: Spielberg, DreamWorks, Participant, eOne, Others Pact For Amblin Partners. December 23, 2015. Deadline.com. December 16, 2015.
  7. News: Pamela McClintock. Gregg Kilday. Steven Spielberg, Jeff Skoll Team to Form Amblin Partners, Strike Distribution Deal With Universal. December 22, 2015. The Hollywood Reporter. December 16, 2015.
  8. News: Fritz. Ben. August 29, 2012. DreamWorks replaces Disney with new international partner. Los Angeles Times. August 27, 2020.
  9. News: Frater. Patrick. Steven Spielberg's Amblin Partners Inks Strategic Pact With Alibaba Pictures. February 24, 2017. Variety. October 9, 2016.
  10. Web site: Universal buys minority stake in Steven Spielberg's Amblin Partners. Faughnder. Ryan. Los Angeles Times. February 15, 2017 . 2018-02-27.
  11. News: Universal Buys Minority Stake In Amblin Partners. Lieberman. David. 2017-02-15. Deadline. 2018-02-27. en-US.
  12. News: Perry. Spencer. Universal Studios Buys a Minority Stake in Amblin Partners. February 20, 2017. Comingsoon.net. February 15, 2017.
  13. Web site: Amblin Partners Inks Exclusive Music-Publishing Deal With BMG. December 18, 2017.
  14. Web site: Hasbro Acquires Entertainment One in $4 Billion All-Cash Deal. Low. Elaine. Variety. August 22, 2019. August 22, 2019.
  15. News: Lang. Brent. November 30, 2020. Steven Spielberg's Amblin Partners Extends Deal With Universal. Variety. January 15, 2021.
  16. Web site: Spielberg's Amblin inks multiyear feature film deal with Netflix. 2021-06-22. TechCrunch. en-US.
  17. Web site: Hasbro Puts eOne up for Sale Less Than 3 Years After Closing $3.8 Billion Acquisition . Variety . November 17, 2022 .
  18. Web site: Hasbro Initiates Sale Process for eOne TV and Film Business. Hasbro . November 17, 2022 .
  19. Web site: eOne: Fremantle, Lionsgate & Legendary In Pursuit Of Hasbro Company As Sale Process Enters Final Stage. Deadline Hollywood. March 15, 2023. April 5, 2023.
  20. Web site: eOne: Lionsgate & Legendary Remain Among 4 Potential Buyers As Hasbro Company Sale Nears Finish Line. Deadline Hollywood. Nellie. Andreeva. 17 April 2023. 18 April 2023.
  21. Web site: Hasbro Is in Talks to Sell 'Yellowjackets' Studio to Its Founder. Lucas. Shaw. Thomas. Buckley. Bloomberg. April 20, 2023. June 19, 2023.
  22. Web site: Amblin Partners And Universal Pictures Set New Multi-Year Partnership As Amblin Expects Future Job Cuts . July 11, 2023.
  23. Web site: Lionsgate In Pole Position On Entertainment One Acquisition: The Dish. Mike Jr.. Fleming. Nellie. Andreeva. Deadline. July 17, 2023. July 17, 2023.
  24. Hasbro to Sell eOne Film & TV Business to Lionsgate . August 3, 2023 .
  25. Web site: Film releases. Variety Insight. April 25, 2017.
  26. Web site: How to Train Your Dragon 3 Release Date Moved Up One Week. Hermanns. Grant. ComingSoon.net. September 27, 2018. September 28, 2018.
  27. Web site: Edward. Douglas. Amblin Partners, Picture Co. Turning Jacob Chase Horror Short "Larry" into Feature. 12 February 2018. The Tracking Board. 26 June 2019.
  28. Web site: Corey Hawkins To Star In 'Last Voyage Of The Demeter' For Amblin And André Øvredal. Kroll. Justin. Deadline Hollywood. January 27, 2021. January 28, 2021.
  29. Web site: Bradley Cooper To Star In & Direct Leonard Bernstein Movie As Dueling Biopics Tune Up . Fleming . Mike Jr. . . May 10, 2018 . September 22, 2020 . September 26, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200926044705/https://deadline.com/2018/05/bradley-cooper-leonard-bernstein-movie-josh-singer-martin-scorsese-steven-spielberg-paramount-amblin-1202387292/ . live .
  30. Web site: Spielberg, Oprah Bringing 'Color Purple' to Big Screen (Exclusive) . Kit . Borys . . November 2, 2018 . December 29, 2020 . December 11, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201211041853/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/color-purple-get-movie-musical-treatment-1156951 . live .
  31. Web site: Kroll. Justin. July 27, 2022. Taron Egerton To Star In Thriller 'Carry On' For Jaume Collet-Serra, Amblin And Netflix. July 27, 2022. Deadline Hollywood.
  32. Web site: Vary. Adam. January 22, 2024. New 'Jurassic World' Movie in the Works From Franchise's Original Screenwriter David Koepp. January 22, 2024. Variety. en-US.
  33. Web site: Kroll . Justin . 2022-03-30 . 'Once' Director John Carney To Direct Bee Gees Biopic For Paramount; John Logan To Pen Script . 2022-03-31 . Deadline . en-US.
  34. Web site: 2020-08-04. Naomi Scott to Star in Sci-Fi Amblin Movie 'Distant'. 2021-01-21. The Hollywood Reporter. en.
  35. Web site: Kit . Borys . 2022-06-02 . Christopher Landon to Write, Direct 'Arachnophobia' Remake for Amblin Partners (Exclusive) . 2022-06-03 . The Hollywood Reporter . en-US.
  36. Web site: Luke Davies to Adapt 'Apeirogon' Novel for Amblin (Exclusive). Etan. Vlessing. The Hollywood Reporter. May 27, 2020. May 4, 2023.
  37. https://downthetubes.net/?p=120901 "Pat Mills and Clint Langley’s “American Reaper” optioned for the big screen"
  38. Web site: Amblin Partners Lands Feature Rights To Rob Hart's 'Assassins Anonymous'. Justin. Kroll. The Hollywood Reporter. April 13, 2023. May 4, 2023.
  39. Web site: Post '1917' Oscar Success, Sam Mendes & Pippa Harris' 'Beautiful Ruins' Moves From Fox 2000 To Amblin. Anthony. D'Alessandro. Deadline Hollywood. February 13, 2020. May 4, 2023.
  40. Web site: McNary . Dave . February 12, 2020 . Cynthia Erivo to Star in Film Adaptation of Her Podcast 'Carrier' . December 16, 2022 . Variety . en-US . March 2, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210302185839/https://variety.com/2020/film/news/cynthia-erivo-movie-podcast-carrier-1203502051/ . live .
  41. Web site: Amblin, Michael De Luca Tackling 'Martian' Author's Fantasy Graphic Novel 'Cheshire Crossing' (Exclusive). Borys. Kit. 15 November 2019. The Hollywood Reporter. 15 November 2019.
  42. Web site: Octavia Spencer, Amblin Partners' Kristie Macosko Krieger to Produce Film Adaptation of Donna Hill's 'Confessions in B-Flat' (EXCLUSIVE). Angelique. Jackson. Variety. March 9, 2023. May 4, 2023.
  43. Web site: Kroll . Justin . 4 April 2023 . Chloé Zhao To Direct Adaptation Of Maggie O'Farrell's Novel 'Hamnet' For Amblin Partners, Hera Pictures, Neal Street Productions and Book of Shadows . 4 April 2023 . Deadline . en-US.
  44. Web site: Focus Features Boards Chloé Zhao’s Adaptation Of 'Hamnet' Starring Jessie Buckley And Paul Mescal. Deadline Hollywood. Justin. Kroll. 20 August 2024. 20 August 2024.
  45. Web site: Tiffany Haddish, Amblin Team for Comedy 'Homecoming Queen' (Exclusive). Borys. Kit. The Hollywood Reporter. July 7, 2020. May 4, 2023.
  46. Web site: Jean Smart to Star in 'Miss Macy' Drama for Amblin Partners. Etan. Vlessing. The Hollywood Reporter. May 27, 2020. May 4, 2023.
  47. Web site: Peter Farrelly to Direct 'Super In Love' Comedy for Amblin Partners. Etan. Vlessling. The Hollywood Reporter. September 23, 2021. September 27, 2022.
  48. Web site: Amblin Lands Rights To The Simon Rich Short Story 'Stage 13' With Edgar Wright On Board To Direct. Justin. Kroll. Deadline Hollywood. July 22, 2020. May 4, 2023.
  49. Web site: Amblin Taps 'The Act' Writer Michelle Dean To Pen 'Stolen Time'; Tells True Story Of Wrongfully Convicted Death Row Inmate Sonia "Sunny" Jacobs. Justin. Kroll. Deadline Hollywood. March 2, 2021. May 4, 2023.
  50. Web site: Amblin, Marc Platt Team for High School Comedy 'The Bear' (Exclusive). Mia. Galuppo. The Hollywood Reporter. January 30, 2020. May 4, 2023.
  51. Web site: Amblin Lands Sci-Fi Pic 'The Exchange' From 'Outer Range' Creator Brian Watkins And Escape Artists. Justin. Kroll. Deadline Hollywood. October 12, 2022. November 29, 2022.
  52. Web site: Film News Roundup: 'Maze Runner' Director Boards 'First Fifteen Lives of Harry August'. Dave. McNary. Variety. April 29, 2020. May 4, 2023.
  53. Web site: Steven Spielberg on DreamWorks' Past, Amblin's Present and His Own Future. Masters. Kim. The Hollywood Reporter. 2016-06-16. 2016-03-25.
  54. Web site: Mark Rylance to Reteam With Steven Spielberg in 'The Kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara'. Kroll. Justin. Variety. 2016-04-11. 2017-03-25.
  55. Web site: Amblin Partners Adapting Judy Batalion's 'The Light of Days' Book; Batalion & 'The Current War' Scribe Michael Mitnick Scripting. Amanda. D'Nuka. Deadline Holywood. November 2, 2020. May 4, 2023.
  56. Web site: 'Bridgerton' Writer Azia Squire To Adapt 'The Richest Black Girl In America' For Amblin. Justin. Kroll. Deadline Hollywood. April 18, 2021. May 4, 2023.
  57. Web site: Rachel Brosnahan to Star in Dramedy 'The Switch' for Amblin. Mia. Gallupo. The Hollywood Reporter. May 12, 2020. May 4, 2023.
  58. News: Richard Osman: "We are obsessed with young people". RTÉ. 8 September 2020. 15 December 2020. 7 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210607230128/https://www.rte.ie/lifestyle/living/2020/0908/1163871-richard-osman-we-are-obsessed-with-young-people/. live.
  59. Web site: Netflix Joins 'The Thursday Murder Club', Chris Columbus & Amblin Entertainment's Feature Adaptation Of Big-Selling Richard Osman Novel. Deadline Hollywood. Jesse. Whittock. 25 April 2024. 26 April 2024.
  60. Web site: Amblin, David Leitch and Kelly McCormick Team on Jutta Kleinschmidt Biopic (EXCLUSIVE). Justin. Kroll. Variety. April 20, 2020.
  61. Web site: Amblin, 'John Wick 3' Producer Team for Real-Life Show Choir Movie (Exclusive). Mia. Galuppo. The Hollywood Reporter. March 3, 2020. May 4, 2023.
  62. Web site: Amblin Lands Rights To 'Wayward Pines' Author Blake Crouch's Upcoming Sci-Fi Thriller 'Upgrade'. Justin. Kroll. Deadline Hollywood. February 10, 2022. May 4, 2023.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Amblin Partners".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.