WWE Studios today announced that it will self-distribute and market its
upcoming slate of nine films beginning with the summer release of the
drama "Brother’s Keeper” (working title) starring Patricia Clarkson,
Danny Glover and WWE Superstar John Cena®. Samuel Goldwyn Films will be
WWE Studios’ theatrical distribution partner in the U.S. Vivendi
Entertainment will be WWE Studios’ domestic DVD distribution partner.
WWE Studios remains committed to providing global audiences
family-friendly filmed entertainment which leverages the World Wrestling
Entertainment® brand and its more than 16 million weekly domestic
television viewers and 500 million television households worldwide.
Upcoming films will feature well-known actors and actresses in lead
roles supported by WWE Superstars. WWE is slated to produce and release
nine films through 2012. Upcoming projects will feature a wide range of
genres including family-friendly comedies, dramas and thrillers.
Meyer Gottlieb, President, Samuel Goldwyn Films said, "We are thrilled
to be working alongside the extremely talented WWE team on this very
exciting endeavor. WWE is one of the most recognizable brands in the
world and we look forward to bringing "Brother’s Keeper” to audiences
everywhere.”
"We are very excited to bring established Hollywood stars such as
Patricia Clarkson and Danny Glover to WWE Studios and have our
Superstars join them on the silver screen,” said Mike Pavone, Executive
Vice President, WWE Studios. "The self-distribution model will allow WWE
to maximize marketing efforts and create special event experiences at
select theatres nationwide.”
International DVD distribution will be handled by WWE’s existing
television and video partners worldwide.
"Brother’s Keeper” is the seventh film to come out of WWE Studios, which
was established in 2002. The family drama stars award-winning actress
Patricia Clarkson ("Vicky Cristina Barcelona”), WWE Superstar John Cena
("12 Rounds”), Devon Graye ("Dexter”), Madeleine Martin
("Californication”) and Danny Glover ("Lethal Weapon”). The movie is
directed by Mel Damski (the Oscar nominated "Still Kicking: The Fabulous
Palm Springs Follies”) and written by John Posey.
This film will be followed by the fall 2010 release of the
family-friendly comedy, "Knucklehead.”
ABOUT WWE
World
Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., a publicly traded company (NYSE:
WWE), is an integrated media organization and recognized leader in
global entertainment. The company consists of a portfolio of businesses
that create and deliver original content 52 weeks a year to a global
audience. WWE is committed to family-friendly, PG
content across all of its platforms including television
programming, pay-per-view, digital media and publishing. WWE programming
is broadcast in more than 145 countries and 30 languages and reaches
more than 500 million homes worldwide. The company is headquartered in
Stamford, Conn., with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, London,
Shanghai, Sydney, Tokyo and Toronto.
Additional information on World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE:
WWE) can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com.
ABOUT SAMUEL GOLDWYN FILMS
Samuel Goldwyn Films is a major, independently owned and operated
motion-picture company that develops produces and distributes innovative
feature films and documentaries. The company is dedicated to working
with world renowned and emerging writers/filmmakers and committed to
filmed entertainment that offers original voices in uniquely told
stories. This steadfastness is best exemplified by the Academy Award®
nominated THE SQUID AND THE WHALE and SUPER SIZE ME, AMAZING GRACE and
Julie Delpy's hit comedy 2 DAYS IN PARIS. Goldwyn's recent slate
featured PRICELESS, a romantic comedy starring Audrey Tautou, Academy
Award winner Claude Lelouch's ROMAN DE GARE, the critically hailed ELEGY
starring Academy Award nominee Penélope Cruz and Academy Award winner
Ben Kingsley and the box office smash FIREPROOF. Upcoming releases
include THE YELLOW HANDKERCHIEF produced by six time Academy Award
winner Arthur Cohn and starring TWILIGHT’S Kristen Stewart, Academy
Award winner William Hurt, Maria Bello and Eddie Redmayne and HARRY
BROWN starring two time Academy Award winner Michael Caine.
Trademarks: All WWE programming,
talent names, images, likenesses, slogans, wrestling moves, trademarks,
copyrights and logos are the exclusive property of World Wrestling
Entertainment, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All other trademarks, logos
and copyrights are the property of their respective owners.
Forward-Looking Statements: This
news release contains forward-looking statements pursuant to the safe
harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which
are subject to various risks and uncertainties. These risks and
uncertainties include the conditions of the markets for live events,
broadcast television, cable television, pay-per-view, Internet, feature
films, entertainment, professional sports, and licensed merchandise;
acceptance of the Company's brands, media and merchandise within those
markets; uncertainties relating to litigation; risks associated with
producing live events both domestically and internationally;
uncertainties associated with international markets; risks relating to
maintaining and renewing key agreements, including television
distribution agreements; and other risks and factors set forth from time
to time in Company filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Actual results could differ materially from those currently expected or
anticipated. In addition to these risks and uncertainties, our dividend
is based on a number of factors, including our liquidity and historical
and projected cash flow, strategic plan, our financial results and
condition, contractual and legal restrictions on the payment of
dividends and such other factors as our board of directors may consider
relevant.