WWE Studios

WWE Studios, Inc.
Formerly called
 WWE Films
Subsidiary
Industry Motion pictures
Founded 2002
Headquarters Los Angeles, California USA
Area served
 Worldwide
Key people
 Michael Luisi
(President)
Bradley Buchanan
(SVP, Business Affairs)
Parent WWE
Subsidiaries WWE Studios Originals, Inc.
WWE Studios Finance Corp.
WWE Films Development, Inc.[1]
Website WWE Studios

WWE Studios, Inc.; commonly known as WWE Studios (formerly known as WWE Films) is a Los Angeles-based subsidiary of WWE which was created in 2002 as to develop and produce feature film properties for its wrestlers and personnel. WWE Studios movies frequently mix well-known actors and actresses in lead roles with WWE wrestlers, and teams with existing production and distribution companies to deliver the product at a cheaper cost for both parties.

History

Before the formation of WWE Studios, the WWF had produced the 1989 film No Holds Barred featuring Hulk Hogan under the Shane Distribution Company banner, a precursor to today's company. The film was given a DVD release in 2012.[2]

WWE Studios was formed in 2002 as WWE Films,[3] and was seen as "a natural extension of the entertainment business" that they already featured in the weekly Raw and SmackDown television programmes.[4] Joel Simon was named as President of the WWE Films and Jed Blaugrund as Vice President.[3][5] The name was changed to WWE Studios in 2008.[6][7]

WWE announced the first three film projects in January 2005; The Condemned, starring Steve Austin, The Marine, starring John Cena, and Goodnight, later retitled as See No Evil, starring Kane.[8][9]

In February 2009, WWE Studios announced the first film which would not feature a WWE wrestler as the lead, with That's What I Am starring Ed Harris as a schoolteacher accused of fondling kids.[10] In December 2009, it was announced that Patricia Clarkson and Danny Glover would star in the WWE Studios and Samuel Goldwyn Films co-production of Legendary along with WWE wrestler John Cena.[11][12] Around the same time, the film announced production had been completed another co-production with Samuel Goldwyn Films, comedy Knucklehead starring WWE wrestler Big Show.[13][14] Further projects were announced in 2010 with WWE wrestlers in lead roles, with The Chaperone starring Triple H,[15][16] which was released in February 2011,[17] and Bending the Rules starring Edge,[18][19] which was released in March 2012.[20][21] These initial releases were largely unsuccessful financially.[22]

In February 2012, WWE Studios agreed a new three-film deal with 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment to produce, finance and market three straight-to-DVD titles,[23] including The Marine 3: Homefront starring The Miz, having previously worked with 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment on the previous films in the franchise The Marine and The Marine 2. The deal also included the release of 12 Rounds 2: Reloaded starring Randy Orton, having together previously released 12 Rounds starring John Cena.[24]

In April 2012, WWE Studios partnered with Warner Bros. Entertainment France and producer Thomas Langmann to distribute French film Les Reines Du Ring in USA and Canada,[25][26] as well as the rights to remake the film, which was announced in 2014.[27][28]

WWE Studios has produced No One Lives with Pathe Pictures, starring Luke Evans and WWE wrestler Brodus Clay, acquired the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival cult hit The Day, starring Shawn Ashmore and Dominic Monaghan. WWE Studios has acquired Interrogation, a suspense thriller by Adam Rodin.[29] WWE Studios has also secured the rights to Bermuda, a found footage horror spec script by Bobby Lee Darby and Nathan Brookes, set in the Bermuda Triangle.[30] WWE Studios is teaming with producer Edward R. Pressman and Jason Blum's Blum-Hanson-Allen films to develop Cruisin' for a Brusin', an action comedy to be written and directed by Adam Bhala Lough.[31] WWE Studios and Warner Bros. co-produced a Scooby-Doo animated feature that found Scooby and the gang solving a mystery at WrestleMania.[32] On May 29, 2013, it was announced that WWE studios and Warner Bros would again team up to co-produce a Flintstones animated movie to be released in early 2015.[33]

WWE Studios most successful film to date is the 2013 release The Call, starring Halle Berry and Abigail Breslin, which made close to $70 million at the box office,[34] despite a comparatively small budget of just $13m.[35] Despite having an R rating,[36] The film opened at the US box office at #2 with 17 million in its first weekend and was only expected to make 11–12 million.[34] It was reported that thanks to The Call's big success WWE is looking at a potential sequel.[37]

In 2013, WWE Studios and Hyde Park Entertainment agreed to work together on the film adaptation of the 1980s television series The Fall Guy. The film will star Dwayne Johnson, who made his name as The Rock in WWE from 1996–2004 before becoming an actor, in his first WWE Studios production since departing.[38][39][40][41] In August 2014, a second collaboration between WWE Studios and Hyde Park was announced, with Ken Jeong, David Hasselhoff and WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan signed to star in a comedy tentatively known as Untitled Celebrity Death Pool.[42][43]

In February 2014, WWE announced the sequel to 1996 film Jingle All the Way, to star Larry the Cable Guy and WWE wrestler Santino Marella.[44][45]

In May 2014, it was announced that WWE had extended their partnership with Lions Gate Entertainment to release a further six films together,[46][47] with the first announced being Vendetta,[48] and Lockdown starring Dean Ambrose as a police officer.[49][50] These group of six films are known as the "Action Six-Pack Series".[51]

In November 2014, WWE announced a partnership deal with Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.[52] In March 2015 announced a partnership, with newly founded Gene Simmons production company Erebus Pictures.[53] In April 2015 Richwater Films announced they have teamed with WWE Studios to co-produce and co-finance action-thrillers Eliminators and Rampage.[54]

Filmography

Released

Year Title US Release Date Wrestler(s) Featured Distributor Notes
2002 The Scorpion King April 19, 2002 The Rock Universal Studios as WWF Entertainment
2003 The Rundown September 26, 2003 The Rock Universal Pictures
2004 Walking Tall April 2, 2004 The Rock Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
2006 See No Evil May 19, 2006 Kane Lionsgate
2006 The Marine October 13, 2006 John Cena 20th Century Fox
2007 The Condemned April 27, 2007 Steve Austin Lionsgate Last theatrical film as WWE Films
2009 Behind Enemy Lines: Colombia January 6, 2009 Mr. Kennedy 20th Century Fox Straight-to-video
2009 12 Rounds March 27, 2009 John Cena 20th Century Fox First theatrical film as WWE Studios
2009 The Marine 2 December 29, 2009 Ted DiBiase 20th Century Fox Straight-to-video
2010 Legendary September 10, 2010 John Cena Samuel Goldwyn Films
2010 Knucklehead October 22, 2010 Big Show Samuel Goldwyn Films
2011 The Chaperone February 18, 2011 Triple H Samuel Goldwyn Films
2011 That's What I Am April 29, 2011 Randy Orton Samuel Goldwyn Films
2011 Inside Out September 9, 2011 Triple H Samuel Goldwyn Films
2011 The Reunion October 21, 2011 John Cena Samuel Goldwyn Films
2012 Bending the Rules March 9, 2012 Edge WWE Studios
2012 The Day August 29, 2012 Anchor Bay Films
WWE Studios 		Distribution only
2012 Barricade September 25, 2012 WWE Studios
2013 The Marine 3: Homefront March 5, 2013 The Miz 20th Century Fox Straight-to-video
2013 Dead Man Down March 8, 2013 Wade Barrett FilmDistrict
2013 The Call March 15, 2013 David Otunga TriStar Pictures
2013 No One Lives May 10, 2013 Brodus Clay Anchor Bay Films
2013 12 Rounds 2: Reloaded June 4, 2013 Randy Orton 20th Century Fox Straight-to-video
2013 Christmas Bounty November 26, 2013 The Miz Warner Bros. TV movie
2014 Scooby-Doo! WrestleMania Mystery March 25, 2014 Various1 Warner Bros. Straight-to-video, animated
2014 Oculus April 11, 2014 Relativity Media
2014 Road to Paloma July 11, 2014 Anchor Bay Entertainment
WWE Studios 		Distribution only
2014 Leprechaun: Origins August 22, 2014 Hornswoggle Lionsgate
2014 See No Evil 2 October 21, 2014 Kane Lionsgate Straight-to-video
2014 Queens of the Ring (Les reines du ring) November 11, 2014 The Miz
CM Punk
Eve Torres2 		Image Entertainment
2014 Jingle All the Way 2 December 2, 2014 Santino Marella 20th Century Fox Straight-to-video
2015 The Flintstones & WWE: Stone Age SmackDown! March 10, 2015 Various3 Warner Bros. Straight-to-video, animated
2015 The Marine 4: Moving Target April 21, 2015 The Miz
Summer Rae 		20th Century Fox Straight-to-video
  1. ^ Voices include: John Cena, Brodus Clay, Michael Cole, Kane, AJ Lee, Santino Marella, The Miz, Triple H and Vince McMahon
  2. ^ Cameos only.
  3. ^ Voices include: John Cena, Nikki Bella, Brie Bella, The Undertaker, CM Punk, Vince McMahon, Rey Mysterio, Daniel Bryan and Mark Henry

Upcoming

Year Title US Release Date Wrestler(s) Featured Distributor Notes
2015 Vendetta June 12, 2015[55] Big Show Lionsgate 1st instalment in the Action Six-Pack series[51]
2015 Lockdown[56] Dean Ambrose Lionsgate 2nd instalment in the Action Six-Pack series[51]
2015 The Condemned 2: Desert Prey Randy Orton Lionsgate
2015 Incarnate Mark Henry Universal Pictures
2015 Term Life Universal Studios
2015 Killing Hasselhoff[57] Hulk Hogan
2015 Santa's Little Helper[58] The Miz
Paige 		20th Century Fox Straight-to-video
2016 Scooby-Doo! WrestleMania Mystery 2[59] Various Warner Bros. Straight-to-video, animated
TBC Interrogation[60] Edge
Lana 		Lionsgate
TBC The Fall Guy [61] The Rock DreamWorks
TBC Eliminators[54] Wade Barrett Richwater Films
TBC Rampage[54] Richwater Films
TBC Temple[53] Erebus Pictures

Box office performance

Film Release date Box office revenue Box office ranking Reference
Domestic Foreign Worldwide United States
See No Evil May 19, 2006 $15,032,800 $3,388,168 $18,420,968 #6 [62]
The Marine October 13, 2006 $18,844,784 $3,320,824 $22,165,608 #6 [63]
The Condemned April 27, 2007 $7,371,706 $1,263,477 $8,635,183 #9 [64]
12 Rounds March 27, 2009 $12,234,694 $5,045,632 $17,280,326 #7 [65]
Legendary September 10, 2010 $200,393 – – #38 [66]
Knucklehead October 22, 2010 $1,000 $7,927 $8,927 – [67]
The Chaperone February 18, 2011 $14,400 $29,395 $43,795 – [68]
That's What I Am April 29, 2011 $6,400 – – – [69]
The Day August 29, 2012 $20,984 – – #71 [70]
Dead Man Down March 8, 2013 $10,895,295 $7,179,244 $18,074,539 #4 [71]
The Call March 15, 2013 $51,872,378 $16,700,000 $68,572,378 #2 [34]
No One Lives May 10, 2013 $74,918 – – #39 [72]
Oculus April 11, 2014 $27,695,246 $16,335,000 $44,030,246 #3 [73]

References

  1. ↑ "WORLD WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENTINC - FORM 10-K - EX-21.1 - LIST OF SUBSIDIARIES - February 17, 2015". Getfillings.com. 2015-01-17. Retrieved 2015-04-20.
  2. ↑ "World Wrestling Entertainment announces WWE Films". WWE Official Website (Corporate). 21 July 2008. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "WWE creates new Los Angeles-based film division". WWE Official Website (Corporate). 31 July 2002. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  4. ↑ Ronay, Barney (2 September 2010). "How wrestling is taking over the movies". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  5. ↑ "WWE Films names Jed Blaugrund as Vice President". WWE Official Website (Corporate). 9 September 2002. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  6. ↑ Hernandez, Sergio (28 March 2012). "WWE Studios to release Hulk Hogan's No Holds Barred on DVD this summer". CageSide Seats. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  7. ↑ Ocal, Arda (3 July 2012). "Unintentional comedy of 'No Holds Barred' makes newest WWE DVD release worth your time". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  8. ↑ "Stone Cold goes Hollywood". WWE Official Website (Corporate). 18 January 2005. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  9. ↑ Oliver, Greg (7 December 2005). "WWE moving slow on film projects". Slam Sports. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  10. ↑ "Ed Harris to star in WWE Studios Big Red". WWE Official Website (Corporate). 19 February 2009. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  11. ↑ "Clarkson leads cast for WWE Studios "Brother's Keeper"". WWE Official Website (Corporate). 8 December 2009. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  12. ↑ Fernandez, Jay A; Andreeva, Nellie (8 December 2009). "Clarkson, Glover, Cena join "Brother's Keeper"". Reuters. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  13. ↑ "WWE Studios completes production on "Knucklehead"". WWE Official Website (Corporate). 2 November 2009. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  14. ↑ Rossen, Jake (3 November 2009). "WWE wraps MMA-themed "Knucklehead"". ESPN. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  15. ↑ "WWE Studios announced The Chaperone". WWE Official Website (Corporate). 7 June 2010. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  16. ↑ "WWE Studios Announces The Chaperone". ComingSoon. 8 June 2010. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  17. ↑ Gish, Annabeth (17 February 2011). "Triple H is The Chaperone". IGN. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  18. ↑ "Bending The Rules cast announcement". WWE Official Website (Corporate). 27 August 2010. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  19. ↑ Fleming, Mike (24 August 2010). "WWE Studios Starts ‘Bending The Rules’". Deadline. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  20. ↑ Harris, Keith (10 March 2012). "Edge's new WWE movie Bending The Rules now out in nine theatres". CageSide Seats. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  21. ↑ "Bending the Rules". Washington Post. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  22. ↑ "10 WWE Studios That Lost Millions". Retrieved 5 December 2014.
  23. ↑ "WWE Studios and Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment strike three picture deal". WWE Official Website (Corporate). 15 February 2012. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  24. ↑ "WWE Studios and Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment strike three picture deal". Icon vs Icon. 15 February 2012.
  25. ↑ "WWE Studios joins "Queens of the Ring"". WWE Official Website. 30 April 2012. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  26. ↑ Graser, Marc (1 May 2012). "WWE in ring for French film". Variety. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  27. ↑ "WWE Studios sets plans to remake French comedy 'Queens of the Ring' ('Les Reines du Ring')". WWE Official Website. 26 February 2014. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  28. ↑ Graser, Marc (26 February 2014). "WWE Studios to Remake French Comedy ‘Queens of the Ring’". Variety. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  29. ↑ Fleming, Mike (8 June 2012). "WWE Studios Acquires Spec Thriller 'Interrogation'". Deadline.com. Retrieved 26 February 2013.
  30. ↑ Gallagher, Brian (20 January 2012). "Bermuda Lands at WWE Studios". MovieWeb. Retrieved 26 February 2013.
  31. ↑ Patten, Dominic (14 February 2013). "WWE Studios, Edward R. Pressman & Jason Blum Team For 'Cruisin' For A Bruisin'". Deadline.com. Retrieved 26 February 2013.
  32. ↑ "WWE Studios (Pile)Drives a New Scooby-Doo Animated Feature". ComingSoon.net. 15 August 2012. Retrieved 26 February 2013.
  33. ↑ Fleming, Mike (29 May 2013). "Animated ‘Flintsones’ Pic Adds Pro Wrestlers To Its Bedrock". Deadline. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 34.2 "The Call". Box Office Mojo. 15 March 2013. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  35. ↑ Pomerantz, Dorothy (26 March 2013). "'The Call' Is A Sleeper Hit For Halle Berry". Forbes. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  36. ↑ Dargis, Manohla (14 March 2013). "Life-Altering Plea for Help". New York Times. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  37. ↑ Graser, Marc (7 April 2013). "‘The Call’ Dials Up WWE’s Film Biz". Deadline. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  38. ↑ "The Rock in talks to star in WWE Studios and Hyde Park Entertainment's 'The Fall Guy'". WWE Official Website. 6 September 2013. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  39. ↑ Graser, Marc; Kroll, Justin (5 September 2013). "Dwayne Johnson Eyes ‘Fall Guy’ Film Produced by WWE Studios, Hyde Park". Variety. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  40. ↑ O'Brien, Lucy (5 September 2013). "Dwayne Johnson & McG on board for The Fall Guy". IGN. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  41. ↑ White, James (6 September 2013). "Dwayne Johnson Will Be The Fall Guy". Empire. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  42. ↑ Graser, Marc (20 August 2014). "Ken Jeong to Star in WWE Studios Comedy with Hulk Hogan, David Hasselhoff". Variety. Retrieved 25 August 2014.
  43. ↑ Yamato, Jen (20 August 2014). "Ken Jeong Dives Into Celebrity Death Pool Pic For Hyde Park, WWE Studios". Deadline. Retrieved 25 August 2014.
  44. ↑ Forté, Malik (11 February 2014). "WWE Studios starting production on Jingle All The Way 2". Nerdist. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  45. ↑ Burns, Ashley (11 February 2014). "The WWE And Fox Are Producing ‘Jingle All The Way 2′ Starring… Larry The Cable Guy". Uproxx. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  46. ↑ "WWE Studios and Lionsgate to repartner on 'Action Six-Pack'". WWE Official Website. 22 May 2014. Retrieved 8 July 2014.
  47. ↑ Graser, Marc (21 May 2014). "WWE Signs Six Picture Deal with Lionsgate". Variety. Retrieved 8 July 2014.
  48. ↑ Yamato, Jen (21 May 2014). "WWE Studios & Lionsgate Pact On Action Six-Pack, Tap Soska Twins To Direct WWE’s Big Show In ‘Vendetta’". Deadline. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  49. ↑ Graser, Marc (14 August 2014). "WWE Studios, Lionsgate Greenlight Actioner ‘Lockdown’". Variety. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  50. ↑ Hooton, Christopher (15 August 2014). "WWE's Dean Ambrose to star in his own action movie Lockdown". The Independent. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  51. ↑ 51.0 51.1 51.2 WWE Studios and Lionsgate to repartner on 'Action Six-Pack'
  52. ↑ "Warner Bros. Home Entertainment and WWE announce new partnership". WWE Official Website. November 19, 2014. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
  53. ↑ 53.0 53.1 "Gene Simmons, WWE Studios partner for new horror label Erebus Pictures". WWE Official Website. November 19, 2014. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
  54. ↑ 54.0 54.1 54.2 "WWE Studios to Partner with Richwater on Two Films". Variety.
  55. ↑ ‘Vendetta’ stars Big Show and Dean Cain
  56. ↑ WWE’s Dean Ambrose to Star in Action Movie ‘Lockdown’ (EXCLUSIVE)
  57. ↑ Ken Jeong to Star in WWE Studios Comedy with Hulk Hogan, David Hasselhoff
  58. ↑ WWE Studios announces 'Santa's Little Helper' with The Miz and Paige
  59. ↑ http://hiddenremote.com/2014/09/15/wwe-news-wwe-announces-next-animated-venture/
  60. ↑ http://www.cagesideseats.com/wwe/2015/3/3/8143711/lana-wwe-movie-interrogation-edge/
  61. ↑ Dwayne Johnson Eyes ‘Fall Guy’ Film Produced by WWE Studios, Hyde Park
  62. ↑ "See No Evil". Box Office Mojo.
  63. ↑ "The Marine". Box Office Mojo.
  64. ↑ "The Condemned". Box Office Mojo.
  65. ↑ "12 Rounds". Box Office Mojo.
  66. ↑ "Legendary". Box Office Mojo.
  67. ↑ "Knucklehead – International Box Office Results". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 26 July 2011.
  68. ↑
  69. ↑ "That's What I Am – Box Office Data". The Numbers. Retrieved 26 July 2011.
  70. ↑ "The Day (2012)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 11 March 2013.
  71. ↑ "Dead Man Down". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 11 March 2013.
  72. ↑ "No One Lives". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 14 May 2013.
  73. ↑ "Oculus". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 3 April 2014.

External links