STX Entertainment
 | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Film, television |
| Founded | 2014 |
| Founder | Robert Simonds |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles, CA |
Key people | Robert Simonds Chairman Thomas B. McGrath President & COO |
STX Entertainment is an American film and television studio launched in 2014 by Robert Simonds.
History
In 2012, Simonds and Bill McGlashan, the head of TPG Growth, were discussing the profitability of producing films with a star attached and a medium budget (in the $20-60 million range), a method that had gone out of style with Hollywood studios. The conversation led to the launch of STX Entertainment in 2014, with a mission to finance, produce, market and self-distribute 8 to 10 medium budget star-driven films per year.[1]
Rather than pursuing the traditional distribution process, STX has direct distribution agreements with North American theater chains AMC, Regal, Cinemark and Carmike.[2] In January 2015, STX signed a multiyear television output agreement to release its films exclusively to Showtime Networks during the premium television window, beginning in 2015 and covering the studio’s theatrical releases through 2019.[3]
STX is backed by venture capital firm TPG, Chinese private equity firm Hony Capital, and private equity including Gigi Pritzker and Beau Wrigley.[1][2][4] Hony Capital has announced plans to invest $1 billion in STX over the next five years, through 2019.[5]
Film production
In January 2015, STX announced its first slate of four films: The Free State of Jones, starring Matthew McConaughey and written and directed by Gary Ross; The Secret in Their Eyes, a remake of the 2009 Spanish film, starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, Nicole Kidman and Julia Roberts, and written and directed by Billy Ray; an untitled thriller starring Jason Bateman, Rebecca Hall and Joel Edgerton, and written and directed by Edgerton; and Russ and Roger Go Beyond, starring Will Ferrell and based on the true story of the collaboration between Russ Meyer and Roger Ebert.[3][4][6] STX is also releasing The Boy, a psychological thriller directed by William Brent Bell and starring Lauren Cohan.[7]
Television production
STX's first television project was the 13-episode series State of Affairs, which was developed by STX and sold to NBC.[1] The drama/thriller stars Katherine Heigl and Alfre Woodard.[8] It premiered on NBC on November 17, 2014.[9]
Management
Robert Simonds serves as chairman and CEO,[1] and former Viacom Entertainment COO Tom McGrath serves as COO.[2] In September 2014, former Universal Pictures chairman Adam Fogelson was hired as STX’s Motion Pictures Group chairman.[10] Also that month, Oren Aviv, former president of marketing at 20th Century Fox and Disney was hired as STX's president and chief content officer, overseeing film development, production and marketing.[11][7]
List of films/television
Film
- Untitled Joel Edgerton Project (2015)
- The Secret in Their Eyes (2015)
- The Free State of Jones (2016)
- The Boy (2016)
- Russ and Roger Go Beyond (TBD)
Television
- State of Affairs (NBC, November 17, 2014 – present)
References
- ^ a b c d Anita Busch, "Is This Hollywood’s Next Major Studio? Bob Simonds & TPG Growth’s Venture Fully Financed, JP Morgan Says; Hiring, Deals To Start In Earnest," Deadline.com, March 13, 2014.
- ^ a b c "Robert Simonds, Gigi Pritzker Pact with TPG, China’s Hony Capital on Production Venture," Variety, March 10, 2014.
- ^ a b Dave McNary, "STX Entertainment, Showtime Announce TV Output Deal and First 4 Films," Variety, January 20, 2015.
- ^ a b Rebecca Ford, "Showtime, STX Entertainment Announce TV Deal and First Four Films," The Hollywood Reporter, January 20, 2015.
- ^ Patrick Frater, "China Rising: How Four Giants Are Revolutionizing the Film Industry," Variety, February 3, 2015.
- ^ Max Evry, "STX Entertainment and Showtime Partner for Slate of Films," ComingSoon.net, January 20, 2015.
- ^ a b Brent Lang, "STX Entertainment Dates Films With Matthew McConaughey, Julia Roberts, Jason Blum," Variety, February 25, 2015.
- ^ James Hibberd, "Katherine Heigl drama plus 2 more get NBC series orders," Entertainment Weekly, May 6, 2014.
- ^ Saba Hamedy, "TV ratings: NBC wins key demo; 'State of Affairs' has decent premiere," Los Angeles Times, November 18, 2014.
- ^ Anita Busch, "Former Uni Chairman Adam Fogelson Hired As Chairman Of STX Entertainment Motion Picture Group," Deadline.com, September 24, 2014.
- ^ Anita Busch and Mike Fleming Jr, "Ex-Fox, Disney Marketer Oren Aviv Officially Joins Robert Simonds’ STX Venture," Deadline.com, September 3, 2014.