News

Exclusive: Dev Patel’s revenge action-thriller The Peasant has been snapped up by A24 in a splashy deal on the eve of the Cannes market.

We understand the pact closed in the $30M range last night after a competitive situation. It’s a Cannes market low on buzzy action movies and this one has a unique premise and strong elements so was taken off the table by A24. It will be on sale for international territories going forward.

The 2023 Black List project is being described as having shades of Braveheart and John Wick as well as notes of King Arthur. After being updated by Patel, the script combines medieval knights with feudal India. Set in the 1300s, it centers on a shepherd who embarks on a rage-fueled campaign against a group of mercenary knights who ransacked his community, revealing himself to be more than he seems.

John Wick outfit Thunder Road...

Exclusive: Paramount label Republic Pictures has acquired international rights to Tim Robinson and Paul Rudd comedy Friendship, which A24 is releasing domestically this weekend.

The TIFF and SXSW film, which marks the debut of writer-director Andrew DeYoung, follows suburban dad Craig who falls hard for his charismatic new neighbor, but his attempts to make an adult male friend threaten to ruin both of their lives.

Supporting cast includes Kate Mara, Jack Dylan Grazer, Josh Segarra, Billy Bryk, Jason Veasey, Jon Glaser, Eric Rahill, Conner O’Malley, Carmen Christopher, Craig Frank, Omar Torres, Jacob Ming-Trent, Daniel London, Whitmer Thomas and Raphael Sbarge.

Nick Weidenfeld, Raphael Margules, J.D. Lifshitz, and John Holland are producers. Executive producers are Paul Rudd, Tracy Rosenblum, Alexis Garcia and DeYoung and Fifth Season’s Graham Taylor, Chris Rice, Christopher Slager and Dan Guando.

The deal was negotiated by Chris Slager for Fifth Season and Sejin Croninger negotiated for Republic.

DGA president Lesli Linka Glatter, Fifth Season head Graham Taylor and producer Brad Fuller were among the many industry leaders who lost their homes in the catastrophic Los Angeles wildfires this past week.

They join a growing list of celebrities and Hollywood heavyweights who are picking up the pieces after the fires devastated swaths of the city — Billy Crystal, Anthony Hopkins and Miles Teller among them.

Below is a list of prominent producers, writers, music insiders and others who confirmed to TheWrap that they, too, experienced a total loss in the unfolding disaster:

Graham Taylor, co-President of Fifth Season, and British film producer Lynette Howell Taylor: Taylor and co-ceo Chris Rice helped lead the rebrand of Endeavor Content into Fifth Season in 2023 following its acquisition by South Korea’s Cj Enm. Lynette Howell Taylor was co-nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture for producing 2018’s “A Star Is Born,...

Exclusive: Fox has a new global TV distribution boss.

The company has hired Fifth Season’s Prentiss Fraser as President of Fox Entertainment Global. It comes two years after it launched the global sales arm and amidst a search for a statement hire to lead the team responsible for selling shows such as Joel McHale-led Animal Control and Dan Harmon’s animated series Krapopolis to international broadcasters and streamers.

Fox Entertainment CEO Rob Wade believes that investing in international distribution is key to grow its studio and will bolster its network content strategy, helping the company on the global stage.

“Prentiss’ world view, relationships and strategic mindset will be instrumental as we enter a new, prolific period of creativity, growth and expansion,” Wade said. “Distribution is central to our studio and network content strategy, and her appointment rounds out our senior leadership team, adding a respected, results-driven heavy-hitter to...

Exclusive: Production/management company Sugar23 has teamed with Fifth Season to launch a venture which will co-finance over $100 million in production with strategic brand partners over the next three years. Fifth Season will fund the venture, and Sugar23 will bring the expertise and brand relationships that make this launch a bit different: they involve major brands hungry to be content sponsors more directly involved in the creative process.

This innovative joint venture will produce content including scripted and non-scripted TV as well as documentary and feature films. By aligning with brands’ values and objectives, the studio will seek to create engaging stories that resonate with audiences and expand the number of brands participating through its co-financing approach. Additionally, Sugar23 will also partner with Fifth Season to develop and produce TV series and films in more traditional models.

“This partnership represents a groundbreaking way to support brands’ ambitions in Hollywood,” said Michael Sugar,...

Exclusive: Makeready, the production company led by producer Brad Weston and Netflix alum Collin Creighton, has extended by three years its overall deal with Fifth Season. Joining the party is Topic Studios; the Makeready deal is the first in a new multiyear joint venture between Topic and Fifth Season in which they’ll back production companies with financing and development funds to create premium television content.

Makeready has hired former Temple Hill exec Sydney Title to run its television division.

Makeready made its original deal with Fifth Season, and it yielded such films as the Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Shailene Woodley starrer Killer Heat, which was Prime Video’s top film worldwide for two weeks. There also was A Thousand and One, the Sundance Grand Jury Prize winner and debut feature from A.V. Rockwell. Upcoming films include Opus for A24, starring John Malkovich and The Bear’s Emmy winner Ayo Edebiri...

“La Cocina,” starring Rooney Mara and Raúl Briones, gets its U.S. release Oct. 25 at the Angelika Film Center in New York, and Nov. 1 at L.A.’s Laemmle Monica. Willa is handling U.S. distribution. The drama will then get a rollout in the top 10 American markets. HanWay handles international sales.

Directed and written by Alonso Ruizpalacios, “La Cocina” stars Briones as Pedro, an undocumented cook in a busy midtown Manhattan restaurant in love with server Julia (Mara), who is pregnant with his child. Tension builds and then erupts when it’s discovered that money has been stolen from the cash register, and blame falls on Pedro. But who really stole the money?

Mexican filmmaker Ruizpalacios adapts “The Kitchen,” a 1957 play by Arnold Wesker, into a drama about social and financial inequalities in modern-day America. It also gives the anonymous workers who drive the service economy a human face,...

Exclusive: Emmy-nominated Yellowjackets executive producer Drew Comins has signed a first-look deal with film and TV studio Fifth Season for his Creative Engine Entertainment production company. Under the pact with the indie studio, run by co-CEOs Graham Taylor and Chris Rice, Creative Engine will continue to develop talent-driven original series for streaming platforms and premium cable outlets, which Comins will be executive producing.

Comins and Fifth Season already have taken out several high-profile series projects following the November end of the SAG-AFTRA strike, including The Holdout, a legal thriller drama written by Graham Moore based on his novel of the same name, which stars and is executive produced by Amy Adams; and Covers, which just landed at Netflix. The drama about a group of young spies at Oxford is written, directed and executive produced by Lena Dunham.

In addition to Covers, which will film in London, and Europe-set con-artist drama Bambinas at Max,...

Cj Enm remains majority stakeholder and endeavor a strategic shareholder.

Fifth Season, the producer and financier formerly known as Endeavor Content, has secured a $225m from strategic investment from Toho International.

The US subsidiary of Toho Co, which just released Godzilla Minus One which has grossed $25.6m after two weekends, owns a 25% equity stake in the company.

Cj Enm remains majority stakeholder and Endeavor Group Holdings continues as strategic shareholder.

Cj Enm and Fifth Season will work with Toho to produce global film and TV and participate in content produced in Japan, while Toho’s development and production executives will team with Fifth Season.

Fifth Season has secured a $225 million strategic investment from Japanese entertainment company Toho, Fifth Season co-CEOs Graham Taylor and Chris Rice and Toho president Hiro Matsuoka announced early on Monday.

The investment gives Toho a 25% equity stake in the company and, according to Fifth Season, empowers the company to continue expanding its broad slate of premium content, leveraging its uniquely integrated business ecosystem and collaborative partnerships with top creators and companies around the world, as well as its focus on inclusion and empowerment. Cj Enm remains Fifth Season’s majority owner, and Endeavor Group Holdings continues as a strategic shareholder.

The investment also creates opportunities for collaboration among Cj Enm, Fifth Season and Toho. Cj Enm and Fifth Season will work with Toho to both produce global content and participate in content produced in Japan, while Toho’s development and production executives will team with Fifth Season.

Toho is coming...

South Korea’s Cj Enm retains majority ownership of the US company.

Japanese studio Toho has secured a 25% stake in Fifth Season, the US production and distribution company behind Severance and Tokyo Vice.

The $225m investment was made through Toho International, the US subsidiary of the studio behind current box office hit Godzilla Minus One, and South Korea’s Cj Enm will retain a majority stake in Fifth Season. Cj Enm paid $875m for an 80% holding in Fifth Season, formerly known as Endeavor Content, in January 2022. Endeavor Group Holdings remains a strategic shareholder.

The investment will see Toho, Fifth Season...

South Korea’s Cj Enm retains majority ownership of the US company.

Japanese studio Toho has secured a 25% stake in Fifth Season, the US production and distribution company behind Severance and Tokyo Vice.

The $225m investment was made through Toho International, the US subsidiary of the studio behind current box office hit Godzilla Minus One, and South Korea’s Cj Enm will retain a majority stake in Fifth Season. Cj Enm paid $875m for an 80% holding in Fifth Season, formerly known as Endeavor Content, in January 2022. Endeavor Group Holdings remains a strategic shareholder.

The investment will see Toho, Fifth Season...

Japanese studio Toho has taken a $225 million stake in Fifth Season, the U.S.-based independent studio known for producing Apple TV+’s hit series Severance and Max’s Tokyo Vice. The new partners unveiled the deal Monday, saying it will allow Fifth Season to “continue expanding its broad slate of premium content.” Korean entertainment giant Cj Enm will retain majority ownership in Fifth Season, while Toho becomes a 25 percent owner and Endeavor Group Holdings continues as a strategic shareholder.

The deal was unveiled by Fifth Season Co-CEOs Graham Taylor and Chris Rice and Toho President Hiro Matsuoka, who said the agreement will create new opportunities for collaboration between Cj Enm, Fifth Season and Toho, while “bolster[ing] the growth of Fifth Season as a major global studio encompassing East and West cultures.” The new partners will further collaborate on both global content and new titles produced in Japan, while “creative...

Japanese studio Toho, producer of current box office hit Godzilla Minus One, is paying $225M to acquire a 25% stake in producer-distributor Fifth Season. The investment is being made through Toho’s U.S. subsidiary, Toho International.

Korea’s Cj Enm remains the majority shareholder in Fifth Season, following an acquisition of 80% of shares made last year, while Endeavor Group Holdings continues as a strategic shareholder. Following completion of the deal, Fifth Season will have a valuation of $900M.

Fifth Season declined to comment when asked about the new share of the company’s shareholdings following the transaction. However, it is understood the deal results in a dilution for the current shareholders.

Fifth Season Co-CEOs Graham Taylor and Chris Rice said the investment would empower the company to continue expanding its slate of premium content, as well as create opportunities for collaboration between Fifth Season, Toho and Cj Enm.

More specifically,...

Fifth Season, the company formerly known as Endeavor Content, is cutting around 12% of its workforce as a result of the impact of the dual Hollywood strikes.

The company, which is behind series such as Severance and Normal People, is axing 30 positions, across both executive and administrative roles.

It is the second time this year that the business, which is now majority owned by Korean studio Cj Enm, which paid $785M for an 80% stake, has had to make cuts following layoffs in April.

The company is run by Graham Taylor and Chris Rice, who are Co-CEOs. Joe Hipps runs the TV side of the business as EVP, TV Development and Production and Alexis Garcia runs the film group.

On the TV side, it is also behind See, Killing Eve, The Night Manager, Tokyo Vice, and upcoming projects such as Alma Har’el’s Lady in the Lake starring Natalie Portman for Apple.

Diane Lane (Man Of Steel), Kyle Chandler (The Wolf Of Wall Street), Madeline Brewer (The Handmaid’s Tale), Zoey Deutch (Zombieland Double Tap), Phoebe Dynevor (Bridgerton), Mckenna Grace (Ghostbusters), and Daryl McCormack have been set as the starry cast of thriller Anniversary.

The film is described as following a very close-knit family that is torn apart as new movement “The Change” envelops the U.S.

Lionsgate and Fifth Season are launching the project ahead of the Cannes market. The film represents a first collaboration between the two companies who are now looking into the possibility of a slate of films together.

Pic will be directed by Jan Komasa, the Polish director whose film Corpus Christi was recently Oscar nominated. Komasa also directed The Hater, which won Best International Narrative Feature at the Tribeca Film Festival.

Screenplay is by Lori Rosene-Gambino, based on an original story by Komasa and Rosene-Gambino.

Lionsgate and Fifth Season have come together for the first time on what should be a hot Cannes package, lining up an all-star cast of established talent and fast-rising names for the upcoming suspense thriller Anniversary.

Diane Lane (Man of Steel, Feud: Capote’s Women), Kyle Chandler (The Wolf of Wall Street), Madeline Brewer (The Handmaid’s Tale), Zoey Deutch (Not Ok, Juror #2), Phoebe Dynevor (Bridgerton, Fair Play) Mckenna Grace (Ghostbusters: Afterlife) and Daryl McCormack (Good Luck to You, Leo Grande, Bad Sisters) are set to star in the feature, which Lionsgate will be launching in the Marche du Film.

Jan Komasa, the Polish director who landed an Oscar nomination for his drama Corpus Christi and also helmed The Hater, directs from a screenplay by Lori Rosene-Gambino, based on an original story by Komasa and Rosene-Gambino. The film will be produced by Nick Wechsler (Magic Mike trilogy, The Magic Mike trilogy,...

Fifth Season, the film and TV studio behind “Severance,” “80 for Brady” and “Normal People,” has been hit with layoffs as it cuts 2% of its staff, TheWrap has confirmed.

The cost-cutting measures will impact eight executives, including Marketing SVP Beth McPhee, communications SVP Sharon Liggins and Jennifer Saull, who serves as counsel for TV business and legal affairs.

Additional team members departing the company are TV creative director Shelby White, physical production VP Danielle Gerber, TV creative manager Kyle Plimpton, film creative director Ryan Bernstein and travel coordinator manager Josh Workman.

Also Read:

Endeavor Content Rebrands as Fifth Season

Originally launched as Endeavor Content in 2017, the studio is behind Apple TV+ hit “Severance,” Paul Mescal-led “Normal People,” “Cha Cha Real Smooth,” “The Lost Daughter,” “Killing Eve,” “Tokyo Vice,” “80 for Brady,” “Book Club 2: The Next Chapter” and “The Night Manager.”

In September, the studio rebranded from Endeavor Content...

Fifth Season has laid off eight employees — or 2% of the workforce — including comms chief Sharon Liggins.

The cuts also include Shelby White, director, TV creative; Daniell Gerber, VP physical production; Kyle Plimpton, manager, TV creative; Ryan Bernstein, director, film creative; Beth McPhee, SVP, marketing; Josh Workman, manager, travel coordinator; and Jennifer Saull, counsel, TV business and legal affairs.

In September, Fifth Season, the production company behind “Severance,” “Cha Cha Real Smooth” and “The Lost Daughter,” launched as the rebranded Endeavor Content, which changed its name in a move to distinguish itself from its former parent company that shares its Endeavor moniker.

Run by co-CEOs Graham Taylor and Chris Rice, Fifth Season was founded as Endeavor Content in 2017 with production, sales and distribution assets within Endeavor, WME and Img. In 2022, Endeavor Content was spun out of Endeavor, which still has a 20% stake in the company, with Korean media giant Cj Enm...

Exclusive: Kevin Iwashina has resigned his post as head of documentaries at Fifth Season, the producer/financier that was formerly known as Endeavor Content but renamed after Endeavor divested from the company with Cj taking over. It is run by Graham Taylor and Chris Rice.

Iwashina is a veteran in the documentary marketplace, formerly as an agent at CAA and WME. Deadline hears his exit was because of his bracing treatment of underlings and other colleagues at the company. Iwashina just released an internal statement Deadline got hold of, which underscores that.

Iwashina has brokered deals on many docus. The former agent co-founded Preferred Content in 2010 and then landed at Endeavor Content when it launched in 2017. He ran the documentary department with Liesl Copland and took over when she left for Participant in 2021.

Here is the just released statement:

I have always been committed to my work and this company...

The World Cup only happens every four years, and each tournament brings with it its own ups, downs, trials, tribulations, surprise contenders, and thrilling finales. The 2019 Women's World Cup saw the USA win the trophy for a second consecutive tournament; Qatar 2022 gave Lionel Messi a fairy tale ending at last.

Almost sounds like something out of a movie, doesn't it?

Luckily, soccer has been the topic of many films through the years. In this article, we will detail 14 of the best-known, including comedies, biopics, romance, murder mysteries, and documents of real-life tragedies. Along the way, you'll find everyone from the legends of the sport, including the sadly departed Pelé and Diego Maradona, to Hollywood superstars such as Sylvester Stallone and Will Ferrell. Within the bounds of "The Beautiful Game," almost anything is possible.

Mike Bassett: England Manager (2001)

Our first movie, "Mike Bassett: England Manager," is a mockumentary that stars Ricky Tomlinson...

Fifth Season chief operating officer Tim Robinson has exited the company formerly known as Endeavor Content, Variety has confirmed.

Robinson’s departure, which comes after four years at Fifth Season, is an amicable decision between the exec and leadership and he’s exploring new opportunities.

Currently, Robinson’s COO duties are being handled internally.

During his time as COO of Fifth Season, Robinson played an important role in the production company’s 2022 sale to South Korea’s Cj Enm from former parent Endeavor, and its recent rebranding to Fifth Season.

Run by co-CEOs Graham Taylor and Chris Rice, Fifth Season was founded as Endeavor Content in 2017 from production, sales and distribution assets within Endeavor, WME and Img. Last year, Endeavor Content was spun out of Endeavor, which retains a 20 stake in the prodco valued at approximately 1 billion. Korean media giant Cj purchased an 80 stake in Fifth Season.

Fifth Season recently...

Exclusive: Fifth Season’s COO Tim Robinson has left the Severance producer after four years.

Robinson, a former Shine Group and Avalon boss, joined Fifth Season in 2018. The Brit has been working out of its LA base but exited recently.

Robinson is well respected and much liked at Fifth Season, which was formerly known as Endeavor Content. He played a key role in the company’s sale to South Korean powerhouse Cj Enm last year and the subsequent rebrand to its new identity. Cj Enm bought 80 of Fifth Season for 785M, with Endeavor retaining the other 20.

The departure is understood to be amicable and Robinson is believed to be exploring new opportunities.

Tim Robinson

Among his duties at Fifth Season, Robinson worked on exploring new opportunities following Cj’s investment. He also oversaw business affairs, Hr, finance, production, the music and live teams, corporate development, operations, infrastructure, talent development, integration of creative partnerships and investments.

Fifth Season has promoted Noah Greenshner from senior VP to executive VP TV development and production. The TV Studios has also recruited Jill Arthur as EVP of TV development and production after joining the studio. Arthur previously worked at Amazon Studios as senior development and programming executive.

“Since Day 1, it’s been an incredible experience working at a company with such vision, and humanity,” Greenshner said in a statement about his new position. “Having leaders like Chris Rice, Graham Taylor and Joe Hipps, who are equal parts great businessmen and amazing people is truly inspiring. Excited to continue building with our entire team.”

During his time at Fifth Season, Greenshner led and oversaw the studio’s Emmy award-winning thriller series “Severance,” which is currently in production for its second season. In his new role, he will continue to oversee the development of TV series, one of which includes the recently...

Fifth Season (formerly Endeavor Content) has promoted Noah Greenshner in its TV division from senior vice president to executive vice presdient of development and production. In addition, Jill Arthur has also been hired in the same role. Joe Hipps, Fifth Season’s president of TV development and production, announced the news on Monday.

Both executives will work closely with Hipps and the TV team on managing the company’s growing series slate, and will manage the portfolio of writer and producer deals, which includes partnerships with Amy Adams/Bond Group Entertainment, Bill Dubuque, Oscar Isaac and Elvira Lind/Mad Gene Media, Kristen Campo/Campout Prods., Layne Eskridge/Pov Entertainment, Alan Poul/Boku, Liza Chasin/3dot Productions, Brad Weston/MakeReady, and Bruna Papandrea/Made Up Stories.

“Noah has been an invaluable member of the Fifth Season family since the TV Studio began in 2018 (as Endeavor Content) and his leadership in this...

Film and TV studio Fifth Season, formerly known as Endeavor Content, has tapped Mary Lisio as Executive Vice President, Non-Scripted Development and Production, TheWrap has learned.

Lisio will be responsible for producing a lineup of original unscripted content for the studio for linear broadcast, streaming and theatrical distribution. Lisio will also work alongside Fifth Season’s Kevin Iwashina, who oversees the studio’s documentary investment and sales strategies.

Also Read:

Wattpad Webtoon Studios Taps Jason Goldberg, Danni Xin for Film and TV Expansion (Exclusive)

Co-CEOs Graham Taylor and Chris Rice described Lisio as an “exceptional producer.”

“Her deep experience and great taste make her the perfect person to build our non-scripted and documentary development & production business,” said Taylor and Rice.

Some of Fifth Season’s slate of documentary and non-scripted content includes, “Omnivore,” a documentary set to debut on Apple TV+; a feature documentary titled “2nd Chance”; a Lena Waithe...

Fifth Season, the company formerly known as Endeavor Content, is bulking up its non-scripted and documentary business.

It has hired former Blumhouse exec Mary Lisio in the newly created role of EVP, Non-Scripted, Development & Production. She will build out the company’s non-scripted slate across streaming, linear and theatrical distribution and will work closely with Kevin Iwashina, who heads up the company’s documentary investment and sales business.

Lisio, who left Blumhouse last year, oversaw series such as Netflix’s Worst Roommate Ever and doc Pray Away, CNN series The People v. The Klan, HBO Max’s What Happened, Brittany Murphy? and HBO’s The Anarchists. She also oversaw the development and sales of podcasts such as Revelations and The Oval Office Tapes.

Prior to joining Blumhouse, Lisio was at Ridley Scott’s Scott Free and Rsa Films, where she worked on Clive Davis: The Soundtrack of Our Lives for Apple Music,...

Fifth Season (formerly Endeavor Content) has hired Mary Lisio for the newly created position of executive vice president of non-scripted development and production.

In her new role, Lisio will work to expand Fifth Season’s slate of non-scripted content across all platforms. She will collaborate with Kevin Iwashina, Fifth Season’s head of documentary.

“Mary is an exceptional producer and a wonderful human,” said Graham Taylor and Chris Rice, co-CEOs of Fifth Season. “Her deep experience and great taste make her the perfect person to build our non-scripted and documentary development & production business.”

Lisio joins Fifth Season from Blumhouse Television, where she oversaw the company’s unscripted slate. Her work there included projects like “Worst Roommate Ever,” “The People v. The Klan,” “Pray Away,” “The Anarchists,” and “What Happened, Brittany Murphy?”

“I’m thrilled to join this extraordinary and visionary group of people at Fifth Season,” Lisio said. “We share...

Fifth Season, formerly known as Endeavor Content, has elevated three executives to president across its TV divisions.

Prentiss Fraser has been promoted to president of TV distribution, while Joe Hipps has been named president of TV development and production. Todd Sharp will now be president of production and current.

“Joe, Prentiss and Todd lead the TV Studio with such care and passion for stories and storytelling,” said said Graham Taylor and Chris Rice, co-CEOs of Fifth Season. “It’s a blast to build Fifth Season with friends that are incredible human beings as well as the best execs in their field.”

Fraser will continue to oversee operations, and partnerships across scripted and non-scripted content for the studio’s distribution team. Her role will also new include marketing and international television productions, as well as P&l oversight investments in international production. The team is based in London with executives also working out of New York,...

Fifth Season has promoted its television bosses.

Joe Hipps, Todd Sharp and Prentiss Fraser have been upped by the company formerly known as Endeavor Content.

Hipps, who was EVP, Television, has been promoted to President, TV Development and Production. Sharp, who was EVP, Physical Production and Current Programming, becomes President, Production and Current. Fraser, who was EVP, Television Distribution becomes President, Television Distribution.

Hipps continues to lead the TV studio’s creative team, which is behind series such as Severance, Tokyo Vice and Nine Perfect Strangers as well as upcoming series such as Chief of War starring Jason Momoa and Lady in the Lake starring Natalie Portman.

Sharp continues to direct the team that delivers production services for the studio’s series and films. His team has managed more than 20 films and series this year in the U.S. and abroad.

Fraser will continue to oversee strategy, operations, and partnerships...

Endeavor Content is ushering in the season of change.

The mega-production company, which was founded in 2017 using sales, production, and distribution assets within Endeavor, WME, and Img, has officially rebranded as Fifth Season following a new partnership with Korean studio Cj Enm.

Cj Enm, the media conglomerate behind Oscar winner “Parasite,” paid 785 million to acquire an 80 percent stake in Endeavor Content before the rebrand. The new name is inspired by Eastern medicine, which recognizes a “fifth season” as a celebratory time of harvest in the late summer. Thus, the timing of the announcement post-Labor Day couldn’t be more perfect. And what a crop of originals does Fifth Season have to harvest: the company is expected to produce more than 1 billion in TV and film projects over the course of the next year, with new seasons of “Severance,” “See,” “Tokyo Vice,” and upcoming AppleTV+ show “Lady in the Lake.”

Fifth...

Endeavor Content has got a new name.

The company has rebranded to Fifth Season following Korean studio Cj Enm’s 785M deal to acquire an 80 stake.

It comes after the Korean media giant, which was behind films such as Oscar-winner Parasite, closed the deal to acquire the stake from Endeavor in January.

Endeavor Content was formed in 2017 from the production, sales, and distribution assets within Endeavor, WME, and Img.

The move was expected as it doesn’t make sense to have a brand named after a 20 minority owner and the hope is that the rebrand will eliminate any remaining confusion over the company now known as Fifth Season’s ties to the parent company of talent agency WME.

The rebrand is effective today, September 7.

Fifth Season, which is expected to produce more than 1B in television and film projects over the calendar year, is behind series such as Severance, See,...

Endeavor Content, the film and TV production company and distributor behind shows like “Severance” and the Sundance darling “Cha Cha Real Smooth,” is rebranding, changing its name to Fifth Season, effective Wednesday.

Launched as Endeavor Content in 2017, Fifth Season earlier this year spun out from Endeavor and also finalized a transaction with Korea’s Cj Enm that valued the company at around 1 billion and gave Cj an 80 majority stake while Endeavor retained the remaining 20.

The company’s new name Fifth Season comes from Eastern medicine, which recognizes a fifth season, a celebratory time of harvest in late summer. The company’s new logo is a mosaic of glyphs, with each glyph embodying a unique quality or facet of the company’s ecosystem and its beliefs and ideals. In a release, the company says that the combination of these glyphs reflects how Fifth Season believes its value is made by the...

Endeavor Content is undergoing a rebrand in a move to distinguish itself from its former parent company that shares its Endeavor moniker.

On Wednesday, Endeavor Content, the production company behind “Severance,” “Cha Cha Real Smooth” and “The Lost Daughter,” officially changed its named to Fifth Season.

Per the Cj Enm-owned company, “The name Fifth Season comes from Eastern medicine, which recognizes a fifth season, a celebratory time of harvest in late summer. The company’s new logo is a mosaic of glyphs, with each glyph embodying a unique quality or facet of the company’s ecosystem and its beliefs and ideals. The combination of these glyphs reflects how Fifth Season believes its value is made by the sum of its many creative relationships and partnerships and that its principles are a key part of its identity. The index of glyphs will continue to evolve with the company as it expands its partnerships,...

Name inspired by Eastern culture at company 80-owned by Cj Enm.

Film and TV producer-distributor Endeavor Content has rebranded as Fifth Season, effective immediately.

The company launched in 2017 and housed several production, sales and distribution assets within Hollywood agency Endeavor, WME and Img.

It was spun off earlier this year in compliance with rules governing agency ownership of production entities. South Korea’s Cj Enm moved in to acquire an 80 stake that valued the business at around 1bn, while Endeavor holds 20.

The name Fifth Season is inspired by Eastern culture, which recognises a fifth season, a celebratory time of harvest in late summer.

Kasee Calabrese has been tapped for the dual roles of executive vice president and chief financial officer at Endeavor Content.

The finance executive previously served as EVP of Global Finance at AMC Networks.

In her newly created senior leadership position, Calabrese will be responsible for the TV and film studio’s finances, along with its distribution, documentary, music and live experiences divisions. She will report to co-CEOs Chris Rice and Graham Taylor.

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Oscar Isaac and Elvira Lind’s Mad Gene Media Signs First-Look Deal With Endeavor Content

“As Endeavor Content continues to expand around the world, Kasee’s leadership in both corporate and operational finance, her deep experience in business development and highly sought-after international perspective will be invaluable as we build on our success to date,” Rice and Taylor said in a joint statement.

“Endeavor Content has a rich legacy of working with the best storytellers and creative talent in the world,...

Endeavor Content has named Kasee Calabrese, AMC Networks’ executive vice president of global finance, its new CFO.

In her newly created role as executive vice president and chief financial officer for Endeavor Content, Calabrese will oversee the TV and film production company’s financial affairs and planning in support of its studio and distribution, documentary, music and live experiences divisions as the studio continues to expand.

Calabrese’s new position is effective immediately. She will be a member of the senior leadership team, reporting to Endeavor Content co-CEOs Chris Rice and Graham Taylor.

The AMC Networks vet joins Endeavor Content on the heels of South Korean media company Cj Enm acquiring an 80 stake in Endeavor Content. Ari Emanuel’s Endeavor still owns 20 of the production company.

“As Endeavor Content continues to expand around the world, Kasee’s leadership in both corporate and operational finance, her deep experience in business development...

Click here to read the full article.

Endeavor Content has hired Kasee Calabrese to serve as the content studio’s executive vp and CFO.

Calabrese will oversee all aspects of the studio’s financial affairs and planning, and will report to co-CEOs Chris Rice and Graham Taylor. She joins Endeavor Content from AMC Networks, where she had been executive vp of global finance.

Calabrese joins the studio at a pivotal moment, as it moves forward under the new ownership of South Korean media giant Cj Enm, which acquired a controlling stake in the studio from Endeavor earlier this year. Endeavor, which still owns 20 percent of the studio, was forced to sell the company as part of its deal with the Writer’s Guild of America.

Cj Enm has plans to expand the studio — which is behind films like Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood and TV shows like Killing Eve — into a global powerhouse,...

Endeavor Content has named former AMC Networks finance exec Kasee Calabrese to the newly created role of EVP and Chief Financial Officer.

She will oversee all aspects of Endeavor Content’s financial affairs and planning in support of its TV and film studio and distribution, documentary, music, and live experiences divisions, according to the official announcement. Calabrese will be a member of the senior leadership team, reporting to co-CEOs Chris Rice and Graham Taylor.

Earlier this year, South Korean media and entertainment giant Cj Enm acquired an 80 stake in Endeavor Content, an investment that valued the business at about 1 billion. The company has backed projects like Apple’s Severance and Sundance breakout Cha Cha Real Smooth.

“As Endeavor Content continues to expand around the world, Kasee’s leadership in both corporate and operational finance, her deep experience in business development and highly sought-after international perspective will be invaluable as we...

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Mad Gene Media is making moves.

Oscar Isaac and Elvira Lind’s production company has signed a first-look deal with Endeavor Content that will see the married pair collaborate with the studio’s TV, film and documentary teams to develop and produce content for all platforms. At the same time, Mad Gene Media has scooped up its first executive, hiring Gena Konstantinakos to serve as head of development and production.

The deal marks the first production pact for the company, founded in 2019 and announced in November 2020 by Lind on Instagram with a post teasing that they had “podcasts, shorts, docs, fiction and graphic novels in the making.” They made a splash with one of their first projects, a live-action short film titled The Letter Room, written and directed by Lind (Bobbie Jene) and starring Isaac.

The Letter Room went on to be nominated...

Oscar Isaac and Elvira Lind’s Mad Gene Media has secured a first-look deal with Endeavor Content, marking the production company’s first studio partnership.

Under the terms of the deal, Mad Gene will develop premium content for all platforms in collaboration with the global content studio’s TV, Film and Documentary teams.

“Oscar and Elvira are multi-disciplined artists with huge hearts who personify that content is King and Queen,” said Graham Taylor and Chris Rice, Co-CEOs of Endeavor Content. “Storytelling that drives audiences while doing it with humanity is in their blood.”

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The company, which the married filmmaker duo founded in 2019, has also hired Gena Konstantinakos as its new Head of Development and Production.

“Starting Mad Gene Media a few years ago was a natural progression of the collaboration we have always had as artists,” said Isaac and Lind. “Bringing on Gena,...

Exclusive: Former Endemol Shine Australia co-founder Carl Fennessy and ex-Nine Entertainment CEO Hugh Marks have set up a major new Sydney-based production company and have scored backing from Endeavor Content.

The duo have launched full-service production and distribution studio Dreamchaser and will serve as joint CEOs.

It comes after Fennessy, who ran Endemol Shine Australia with his brother Mark in its various forms for 10 years, having previously formed FremantleMedia Australia, left the MasterChef producer in September 2020 following its takeover by Banijay. Mark Fennessy recently launched his own production group Helium.

Meanwhile, Marks spent five years as CEO of Nine Entertainment, which owns Nine Network, one of the country’s three top broadcasters, as well as streaming service Stan.

Dreamchaser is looking to partner with established and emerging creators to develop programming slates for both local and international broadcasters and streamers. It is eyeing a number of creative partnerships across the scripted,...

Exclusive: Endeavor Content and Anonymous Content are teaming on a new joint venture focused on developing and producing premium scripted television series, Deadline can tell you first.

As part of the partnership, Anonymous and Endeavor will serve as co-studios on all scripted television projects produced and developed under the deal.

The new alliance will be led by Anonymous Content’s Cco, David Levine and Endeavor Content’s EVP, TV, Joe Hipps.

One of the first projects to be produced under the deal include The Lazarus Files, based on the Stephanie Lazarus novel by Matthew McGough, which Deadline first reported about in March 2021.

The deal marks the latest joint venture for Anonymous Content, the media company having already set up several with such international studios as AC Federation, AC Nordic, AC Brazil and Chapter One in the UK.

“We are excited to partner with Endeavor Content to launch this new venture.

Underdog “King Richard” (Warner Bros.) beat the higher profile “Dune” (Warner Bros.) and “The Power of the Dog” (Netflix) for drama film editing honors at the 72nd Annual Ace Eddie Awards. The live ceremony was held Saturday at the Ace Hotel. Likewise, “Tick Tick Boom” (Netflix) prevailed over the favored “Don’t Look Up” (Netflix) in the film comedy category. Other winners included Oscar favorites “Encanto” (Disney) and “Summer of Soul” (Searchlight Pictures) for animated feature and documentary, and “Oslo” (HBO Films) for non-theatrical feature.

On the TV side, “Succession” (HBO), “Mare of Easttown” (HBO), “The Beatles: Get Back” (Disney+), “Kevin Can F**k Himself” (AMC), “Hacks” (HBO Max), and “Bob’s Burgers” (Fox) were the big winners for drama, limited series, documentary non-theatrical, multi-camera and single-camera comedy series, and non-theatrical animation, respectively. Editors Lillian E. Benson (“Eyes on the Prize”), the first woman of color to join the American Cinema Editors Society,...

“King Richard” editor Pamela Martin topped the dramatic feature editing category at the American Cinema Editors 72nd Ace Eddie Awards, while “Tick, Tick … Boom!’s” Myron Kerstein and Andrew Weisblum won the category for best edited comedic feature during Saturday’s in-person ceremony at the Ace Hotel in Los Angeles.

“It’s a great honor to be recognized by my peers, most importantly,” Martin told Variety before the ceremony. “I’m over the moon and I’m so grateful to be in such wonderful, talented company from the other nominees.”

Michelle Statter accepted the prestigious Ace Golden Eddie Award — recognizing an artist or company for distinguished achievement in film — on behalf of The Sundance Institute. Film editors Lillian E. Benson, ACE and Richard Chew, ACE received Career Achievement Awards for their outstanding contributions to film editing. The event was hosted by DJ Lance Rock and presided over by ACE President Kevin Tent,...

“King Richard” and “tick, tick…Boom!” have been named the best-edited feature films of 2021 by the American Cinema Editors, which held its annual Ace-Eddie Awards on Saturday at, appropriately enough, the Ace Hotel in downtown Los Angeles.

“King Richard” beat fellow Oscar nominees “Dune” (the presumed favorite) and “The Power of the Dog” to win in the drama category, while “tick, tick…Boom!” beat the Oscar-nominated “Don’t Look Up” in the comedy category.

In the 22 years since Ace split its film award into separate drama and comedy categories, one of its winners has gone on to win the Oscar for Best Film Editing 15 times. All but one of those wins have come in the drama category. Last year’s winner, “The Trial of the Chicago 7,” lost the Oscar to “Sound of Metal.”

In the documentary categories, music docs ruled, with “Summer of Soul” taking the prize for documentary feature...

Miky Lee, the enigmatic vice chair of South Korea entertainment conglomerate Cj Enm, grew up believing in the simple dictum from her grandfather that would prove to be the guiding principle of her life and work: “No culture, no country.”

An heiress to the Samsung fortune, Lee has spent decades enhancing her family’s long legacy as business titans and innovators who were instrumental in building Korea’s postwar economic infrastructure. Her grandfather, who also launched a newspaper and radio and TV stations, believed that Korea would never become a strong nation without forums for nurturing and celebrating the nation’s distinctive traits, traditions and history.

Lee has taken the family mission global in recent years, working tirelessly as an investor and a dealmaker to advance the interests of both her companies and her cultural homeland. The recent explosion of Korean pop culture, from hitmakers BTS to Netflix’s “Squid Game...

The American Cinema Editors (Ace) has nominated “Belfast,” “Dune,” “King Richard,” “No Time to Die” and “The Power of the Dog” in the category of feature film drama at the 72nd annual Ace Eddie Awards.

In the best edited comedic feature category, “Cruella,” “Don’t Look Up,” “The French Dispatch,” “Licorice Pizza” and “Tick, Tick…Boom!” all received nominations.

Among the animated features nominated were “Encanto,” “Luca,” “The Mitchells vs. the Machines,” “Raya and the Last Dragon” and “Sing 2.” The TV nominees include “Succession” and “The White Lotus.”

The Eddies are considered a precursor for the best picture and best editing categories at the Oscars. Five of the past 11 winners for best edited drama feature went on to win the film editing Oscar.

Since 1961, only 10 women have won in the best edited drama feature category. This year, there are two women who made the cut: Pamela Martin (“King Richard”) and...

The American Cinema Editors has spliced together the nominees for its 72nd annual Ace Eddie Awards.

The editors behind Belfast, Dune, King Richard, No Time to Die and The Power of the Dog will compete for Best Edited Dramatic Feature Film. Up for Comedy Feature are Cruella, Don’t Look Up, The French Dispatch, Licorice Pizza and tick, tick…Boom! The Animated Feature race will be among Encanto, Luca, The Mitchells vs. the Machines, Raya and the Last Dragon

and Sing 2.

Vying in the Documentary Feature competition are Flee, The Rescue, Summer of Soul, Val and The Velvet Underground. See the full list of the Eddie Award nominations below.

Trophies will be presented during the guild’s awards ceremony on March 5 at the Theatre at the Ace Hotel in Los Angeles. The half-capacity show originally was set for February 26.

A highlight on the TV side is Kevin Can F**k Himself,...

Exclusive: Endeavor Content co-CEOs Graham Taylor and Chris Rice woke up today with new majority owners. Hatched under the Endeavor umbrella four years ago, Endeavor Content financed, packaged and sold over 100 series and films that included Just Mercy, The Lost Daughter and Killing Eve. Endeavor, which owns WME, was forced to divest 80% of the production company, per a truce signed after a brutal battle with the WGA that put percenteries out of the packaging and affiliated production company businesses. Cj Enm, the Korean colossus best known here for making the Best Picture winner Parasite, stepped up last November with a pledge to spend $775 million. That deal closed last night. Here, Taylor and Rice discuss the company’s future under new backers. Cj is bullish: its public filing stated an expectation that Endeavor Content will generate making 40 movies and TV series by next year.

Said Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel: “Chris,...