Professional Motion Picture Production and Distribution NEWS
The RLJ Companies Launches 'Our Stories Films' in Association With The Weinstein Company
By RLJ
posted Jul 25, 2006, 12:02
Film Production Company Focused in the African-American Family Comedy Genre
Capitalized at $200 Million
Privately held RLJ Companies, LLC ("RLJ") controlled by Robert L. Johnson, founder of BET and owner of
the NBA Charlotte Bobcats, today announced that it has entered into a new
venture with The Weinstein Company ("TWC") to create a film company that
will produce titles in the African-American family comedy genre. The
announcement was made jointly today by Robert L. Johnson and Bob and Harvey
Weinstein, co-chairmen of The Weinstein Company.
RLJ will launch Our Stories Films ("Our Stories") shortly and the firm
will be headquartered in Los Angeles with offices in New York City. Our
Stories titles will be theatrically distributed by The Weinstein Company's
Dimension Films and on DVD by Genius Products, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board:
GNPI). Under the agreement, TWC will have an equity stake in the venture.
Robert L. Johnson will run Our Stories and will control the decisions to
produce, acquire and finance film projects. JP Morgan Chase has committed
to financing the venture with up to $175 million under terms to be
negotiated.
"We are thrilled to partner with Harvey and Bob Weinstein to fulfill
this vision," stated Robert L. Johnson, Chairman of Our Stories Films,
"Never before has an African-American had 'green light authority' at a
studio combined with this quality of financing and a distribution partner
that has a proven track record in successful urban films."
Bob and Harvey Weinstein stated, "We are proud to be behind this
venture and are confident in Bob Johnson's taste and his ability to
identify projects that will be successful. We are committed to releasing a
slate of films focused in the African-American family genre and to working
with Our Stories to launch their exciting new brand."
John W. Miller, Managing Director of JP Morgan Chase, stated, "This is
a project that is long overdue in Hollywood and we are honored to be a part
of making it happen. We could not be more excited about working with Bob
Johnson, a partner who clearly understands the financial realities of the
film business, and what it takes to market urban-based consumers."
The company has begun assembling a topflight management team to be
announced in the near future.
About The RLJ Companies
The RLJ Companies ("RLJ"), founded by Robert L. Johnson, founder and
former CEO and Chairman of Black Entertainment Television owns or holds
majority interests in a diverse portfolio of companies in the financial
services/asset management, real estate, hospitality, professional sports,
film production, gaming and recording industries. An innovative business
network, The RLJ Companies seeks to target undiscovered or underserved
markets, then exercise solid management and achieve exceptional results.
RLJ is located in Bethesda, Maryland, and currently has operations in New
York and San Francisco.
About The Weinstein Company and Dimension Films
Bob and Harvey Weinstein launched The Weinstein Company, a multi-media
company, on October 1st, 2005. Dimension Films, the genre label that began
at Miramax, is also included under The Weinstein Company banner.
The Weinstein Company and Dimension Films have released the sexy
psychological thriller "Derailed," starring Jennifer Aniston and Clive
Owen; "Wolf Creek," the terrifying Australian horror film; "Hoodwinked," a
tremendously successful CGI animated family film; "Lucky Number Slevin,"
starring Bruce Willis, Josh Hartnett, Lucy Liu, and Academy Award winners
Morgan Freeman, and Sir Ben Kingsley; "Scary Movie 4," the record breaking
latest installment in the hugely successful and hilarious horror-parody
series; "The Matador," starring Pierce Brosnan; "Transamerica," starring
Golden Globe winner Felicity Huffman; and "Mrs. Henderson Presents,"
starring Academy Award winner Judi Dench and Bob Hoskins.
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