GK Films: Hugo (& Rum Diary & B&H) Fallout

While a corporate behemoth like Disney could easily absorb a $200M loss from John Carter without seeing a significant movement in its stock,  a small independent company like GK Films has no buffer to protect it.  It could not afford to absorb the losses incurred from Hugo -- which grossed just  $177M against a cost of $175M + P&A - and belt-tightening was inevitable.

It was just the biggest of a string of underperformers as GK Films also didn't have much luck with The Rum Diary which made less than half its $45M cost in theaters.   But while Blood & Honey only made a fraction of its $13M during its limited run, with such a small budget it may be in the black once proceeds from ancillaries kick in.

But Angelina may have to find another producer for her Afghan script as it is unlikely GK Films can afford to support it on its own even if Graham King likes it just as much as he liked B&H.  A maverick risk-taker willing to take on edgy arthouse films, he said he wanted to show Blood & Honey in schools and that it wasn't always about dollars and cents.  But in the aftermath of Hugo he has been forced to alter his business plan and now needs to focus on projects with more commercial appeal.  Clearly, another grim war film with no-name actors in a foreign language would no longer make the cut

It was a tough sell to get the public to watch B&H having been warned about the brutal content and heavy tone intended to drive home feelings of guilt and anger over a war they never cared about -- and starring actors they never heard of.  The unprecedented promotional push Angelina gave the film displayed her star power as she boosted TV ratings and magazine sales but to paraphrase the old saying, she drew a lot of horses to the well but couldn't get them to drink.

Angelina made B&H with uncompromising idealism and some degree of naivete.  She tried to convince the public to swallow a bitter pill that she steadfastly believed was for its own good.  That they resisted despite all her efforts may have opened her eyes to the reality that they won't buy a film they don't find sufficiently accessible, enticing and palatable no matter how good or well promoted it is.  She can learn from the success of Kony 2012 which caught on because it had a simple message that was easy to understand and didn't bludgeon the viewer with images of brutality in order to drive home that horrors were committed.

Since she was excited about combining her humanitarian interests and her film background and seems determined to pursue it in some capacity, investors will likely require her to star in any future film she writes and directs.  I imagine that the next time around, she will be more open to listening to suggestions to broaden her film's appeal and help her producers recoup their investments.

Shake-Up At GK Films: SVP Grey Rembert & COO Bahman Naraghi Out

By NIKKI FINKE | Monday April 2, 2012 @ 5:36pm PDT

 

EXCLUSIVE… UPDATE: I’ve learned that Graham King’s GK Films is laying off SVP Grey Rembert. In addition, the company and COO Bahman Naraghi “mutually decided” to part ways. Meanwhile, PR’s Mick Kramer just snagged a new job at Paramount. Rembert had been with Graham a long time: the former DreamWorks production executive joined King’s Initial Entertainment Group as VP of Development back in 2006. And since then she was put in charge after GK Films acquired the feature film rights to the Lara Croft adventure Tomb Raider aiming for a 2013 release.
Naraghi in 2008 joined Graham King’s GK Films in the newly created role of COO and was tasked with leading the Santa Monica-based company’s financial and operational development and plan, as well as implementing the distribution structure. Naraghi reported directly to King and arrived from Netflix, where he spearheaded that company’s push into acquiring and developing original content and played an integral role in establishing the now-defunct Red Envelope.
In addition GK Films is laying off 3 assistants: one is owner Graham King’s (“He has two assistants and decided he only needs one”), one was Rembert’s, and another was Kramer’s. Difference of opinions among my sources on whether there are more layoffs to come. There have been announcements of new acquisitions and projects so it doesn’t appear as if GK Films is about to go dormant. But the company did lose a lot when Martin Scorsese’s Hugo recently disappointed at the worldwide box office.

GK Films' and FilmDistrict's Peter Schlessel

How I Made It: Peter Schlessel

The longtime Sony Pictures executive now runs an independent movie distribution company and advises a production and finance company on strategy.

Former Sony Pictures executive Peter Schlessel runs FilmDistrict, an independent movie studio, and advises GK Films, a production and finance company. (Kirk McKoy, Los Angeles Times)

By Ben Fritz, Los Angeles Times

May 29, 2011

The gig: Peter Schlessel is chief executive of FilmDistrict, an independent movie distribution company formed last year with the backing of producer Graham King and his business partner Tim Headington. FilmDistrict acquires and releases movies nationwide. Its first offering was the recent low-budget horror hit "Insidious."

Schlessel, 49, also serves as president of King and Headington's production and finance company GK Films, providing strategic advice while devoting most of his time to running FilmDistrict out of the same Santa Monica office.

Before his current jobs, he spent 18 of the prior 21 years working for Sony Pictures in an array of executive capacities.

Broken by the law: Schlessel's two loves growing up on Long Island, N.Y., were movies and sports. He was a big fan of the 1940 classic "The Philadelphia Story" and the action picture "The Terminator" as well as the New York Jets and Nets. But he ended up attending the University of Pennsylvania Law School instead of pursuing either passion.

"It never occurred to me to not go to law school. It was the normal career path that everyone from Long Island was following," says Schlessel, who still carries a strong accent from his hometown.

He quickly found he hated law, however, and in 1989 landed a job in business affairs at RCA/Columbia Pictures Home Video, which was co-owned by the studio that later became Sony.

Understanding movie economics: For most of the next decade, Schlessel had a singular focus: forging deals to acquire finished movies. He began his career working in a windowless office in New York on five or six contracts at a time. "It was like an assembly line," he recalls.

In the process, Schlessel came to understand the economics of movies — specifically how the estimated values of foreign rights, television licensing, and home video sales and rentals translate into the bottom line of what a film is worth.

"Some people in Hollywood end up focused only on the product, but starting where I did allowed me to see how it was distributed in the marketplace," he says.

Out of his element: After moving to Los Angeles when Sony Pictures took control of RCA/Columbia in 1992, Schlessel shifted into other executive posts, including co-founder of the studio's genre label Screen Gems. In 2000, many in Hollywood were surprised when he was chosen president of production for Columbia Pictures, Sony's main film unit, despite a lack of experience making movies.

Schlessel threw himself into the job, doing back-to-back lunches with agents and producers who wanted to meet him. But he left in 2004 for a three-year "sabbatical" during which he produced movies, consulted with DreamWorks Studios when it was bought by Paramount Pictures, and helped form socially conscious film financier and producer Participant Media.

Back home: Lured by the opportunity to work with a large group again and help with corporate strategy as well as acquisitions, Schlessel returned to Sony in 2007. During this three-year second round at the studio he engineered some of the deals he's most proud of, such as acquiring the footage that became the Michael Jackson documentary "This Is It."

So much time spent at one studio has been, he says, a mixed blessing: "It would have been great to see how Fox or Warner Bros. do it, but I have been able to develop a real depth of relationships. Knowing your colleagues well means knowing how to structure deals for movies they will want to release."

An informed gut: As CEO of a burgeoning studio, Schlessel must balance hard business analysis with the classic "gut" that Hollywood professionals rely on when picking projects they hope will resonate with the public. But after more than 20 years in the business, he no longer sees a difference.

"When I viscerally feel something about a film, I'm bringing all my experiences to bear as to whether it's sellable and commercial," he says. "You think about it in a much fuller way than just whether it's creatively good."

Secret to success: Schlessel's advice for those starting in the film business is similar to his goal for his new company: Make yourself valuable. "If FilmDistrict is successful," he says, "someone will consider it a win when we distribute their movie."

Personal: Schlessel lives in Santa Monica with his wife of more than 20 years and their two teenage daughters.

GRAHAM KING AND PETER SCHLESSEL ANNOUNCE FORMATION OF FILMDISTRICT ℠

Bob Berney Joins Leadership Team;
Company To Release Films Directly and Through Sony Pictures

CULVER CITY, CA –

Sept. 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/

Graham King and Tim Headington’s GK Films, in partnership with Peter Schlessel, President of GK Films, announced the formation of FilmDistrict, a multi-faceted acquisition, distribution, production, and financing company.

Bob Berney joins as President of Theatrical Distribution reporting to Schlessel, who will, in addition to his responsibilities at GK Films, serve as CEO of FilmDistrict.

FilmDistrict will theatrically distribute between four and eight wide release commercial pictures per year, some of which will go through Sony Pictures Entertainment’s TriStar and Triumph labels. Sony Pictures also will have other distribution rights (including home entertainment and television) to the films. This deal does not affect GK Films’ existing output arrangement with the studio.

FilmDistrict will also provide consulting services to Sony Pictures’ well-established worldwide theatrical and ancillary acquisition business run by Steve Bersch, President of Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions, and his senior team.

“It has always been a goal of mine to be involved in all aspects of filmmaking and distribution,” said King. “I’ve known and worked with Peter for a long time and there is no one else I would rather take this step with. Bob Berney has a fantastic ability to connect with filmmakers and he orchestrates very creative marketing campaigns. We’re thrilled to be working with Amy Pascal, Michael Lynton, Jeff Blake and everyone at Sony Pictures in this new venture.”

“This is a great opportunity for GK Films and FilmDistrict to work with our friends at Sony Pictures in distribution and acquisitions to help keep Sony’s pipeline filled with commercial product. It is a real honor to be asked by Michael, Amy, Jeff and Steve to continue my relationship with the studio and particularly its acquisition group,” said Schlessel.

“Joining this exciting company is a real opportunity to participate in a powerful new global entity,” said Berney. “To market films through our direct distribution system and to work on other pictures with Sony offers us great potential. I’m thrilled to be joining Graham and Peter as we take this next step forward.”

“Peter Schlessel has one of the best eyes in the business for quality films, as evidenced by his role in bringing District 9 to us,” said Michael Lynton, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures. “We will miss having Peter here at the studio, but we’re thrilled to be working with him in his new role at FilmDistrict.”

“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Peter for most of my career and his ‘street smarts’ and creative mind have never ceased to impress me,” said Amy Pascal, Co-Chairman of Sony Pictures. “Peter and Bob, along with Graham, will be great partners with us for years to come.”

Bahman Naraghi, COO of GK Films, negotiated the deal with Stefan Litt, Executive Vice President and CFO of Sony Pictures’ motion picture group.

Schlessel will continue to function as President of GK Films, where he is involved in the day to day management of the company. Prior to GK Films, Schlessel spent 21 years at SPE, and held the titles of President of Worldwide Affairs; President of Columbia Pictures; President of Production, Columbia Pictures; and President of Worldwide Acquisitions.

Berney founded and operated independent film distribution and marketing companies Apparition, Picturehouse, Newmarket Films and IFC Films, and was responsible for releasing critically acclaimed and award-winning films such as Memento, La Vie En Rose, Pan’s Labryinth, The Young Victoria, The Passion of the Christ, Monster and My Big Fat Greek Wedding, among many others. He has also served as an independent distribution and marketing consultant and began his career in exhibition, managing and owning movie theaters in Texas.

In addition to partnering with Schlessel for FilmDistrict, King continues to focus on producing films though his independent production company GK Films, which he launched in May 2007 with business partner Tim Headington. The company’s next feature The Town, written and directed by Ben Affleck, was recently released by Warner Bros. on September 17. GK Films also produced The Tourist, directed by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck and starring Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp, to be released by Columbia Pictures on December 10. The company is currently shooting the 3-D film Hugo Cabret, directed by Martin Scorsese, and is in post production on The Rum Diary starring Depp and produced by Depp’s production company, Infinitum Nihil and the crime drama London Boulevard, starring Colin Farrell and Keira Knightley and written and directed by Academy Award®-winning screenwriter William Monahan. GK Films recently announced several new projects including the untitled Freddie Mercury story starring Sacha Baron Cohen. GK Films is partnering with Tribeca Productions and Queen Films on the Freddie Mercury script currently being written by Peter Morgan. GK Films is also producing a feature adaptation of the British miniseries Unforgiven, to be written by Christopher McQuarrie, as well as an untitled love story, written and directed by Angelina Jolie. The company also produced the animated tale Rango, directed by Gore Verbinski and produced with his Blind Wink Productions for Paramount Pictures, set for a March 2011 release. Recent GK Films releases include Edge of Darkness, and the three-time Academy Award® nominated The Young Victoria. Most recently, Graham King and Tim Headington launched a new division, GK-TV. Run by President Craig Cegielski, GK-TV is dedicated to the development, production and worldwide distribution of television programming. GK-TV is currently filming the miniseries Camelot for Starz, starring Joseph Fiennes and Eva Green.
GK Films can be found on the World Wide Web at http://gk-films.com.

About Sony Pictures Entertainment
Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America, a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution; television production and distribution; home entertainment acquisition and distribution; a global channel network; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; development of new entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of entertainment in more than 140 countries.
Sony Pictures Entertainment can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.sonypictures.com.

For further information, please contact:

Jim Kennedy
Executive Vice President, Global Communications
Sony Pictures Entertainment
310-244-6777
Jim_kennedy@spe.sony.com

Maxine Leonard
Senior Vice President Marketing and Publicity
GK Films
310-315-1722
mleonard@gk-films.com

Joy Fehily
Prime
310-841-0800, GK Films

Lara, Jr.

Just judging by their past writing credits, you know that the team GK hired for the Tomb Raider reboot is topnotch. Makes me wish Angie could come back and reprise her role as this will likely be better than the two she made. It's not impossible, she's become close to Graham King and he could conceivably convince her if the script is great. As Anne Thompson said below, "it seems unimaginable that any actress can hold a candle to Angelina Jolie, in this or any other franchise." A smartly written sequel with a more mature Lara played by Angelina will make far more money than a reboot with any of the young actresses out there right now.

Source: Deadline

Tomb Raider Heroine Lara Croft Gets Movie Makeover From Top Action Writers

By MIKE FLEMING | Thursday May 5, 2011 @ 7:00am EDT

The Iron Man and Cowboys & Aliens writing team of Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby have been hired by GK Films to script the rebooted Tomb Raider film franchise. They will create a new adventure storyline for archaeologist/adventuress Lara Croft, played in the original Paramount films by Angelina Jolie. GK partners Graham King and Tim Headington are producing.

CAA-repped Fergus and Ostby most recently re-teamed with director Jon Favreau for Cowboys & Aliens, which Universal releases July 29 and their other credits include Children of Men. In March, GK made a deal for the rights with London-based videogame company Eidos.

The real obstacle for this reboot is overcoming the fact that the ideal actress for the Lara Croft franchise is the one who played her in the first place. Female-driven action films have proven to be something of a dead zone in most cases. Besides Jolie, few actresses have been successful as action heroes, with Kate Beckinsale doing business in the Underworld series and Mila Jovovich in the Resident Evil films. Beyond getting a strong script and filmmaker, GK’s challenge will be combing the list of up and coming actresses to find the next Jolie. Then again, that’s the gambit for The Hunger Games, with Lionsgate and director Gary Ross betting big on Oscar-nominated Winter’s Bone star Jennifer Lawrence, who’ll next be seen playing a young Mystique in X-Men: First Class. Who among the younger actress set would make a great Lara Croft?

Source: GK Films

GK FILMS HIRES MARK FERGUS AND HAWK OSTBY FOR TOMB RAIDER REBOOT

Academy Award®- nominated writing team, Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby will write the first feature of the newly announced reboot of the “Tomb Raider” film franchise. The films will create daring new adventures for the young and dynamic Lara Croft. Graham King and Tim Headington will produce. No casting has been announced.

Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby’s credits include Alfonso Cuaron’s “Children of Men,” which earned them an Academy Award® nomination and Jon Favreau’s mega box-office success “Iron Man” starring Robert Downey Jr. Their next film “Cowboys & Aliens,” also a collaboration with Favreau, starring Harrison Ford and Daniel Craig, is set to be released on July 29th of this year.

“Mark and Hawk’s clear sensibilities of action and emotion are perfect for the direction we are taking this franchise,” King said.

"We are thrilled to be working with Graham King and his formidable team -- and we aim to write an origin story for Lara Croft that solidifies her place alongside Ellen Ripley and Sarah Connor in the pantheon of great female action heroes” Fergus and Hawk stated.

"It is great to have such a high caliber of writing talent on board to realize the film vision of this exciting project," said Phil Rogers president & CEO, Square Enix Europe.

The original TOMB RAIDER game was published in 1996 by the London based video game company Eidos and became one of the most successful video games of the time. Today Eidos (including Crystal Dynamics), is part of an international interactive entertainment group, Square Enix Europe and the stage is set for this new chapter in TOMB RAIDER history.

A pop culture phenomenon, the original games have sold over 35million game units worldwide and Lara Croft, along with Mario Brothers is the most recognized name in gaming history.

Starring Angelina Jolie, Paramount Pictures made two movies based on the daredevil archaeologist on a series of global missions in 2001 and 2003. They grossed a total of $432m at the worldwide box office.

Fergus and Ostby are represented by CAA.

Tomb Raider Reboot: Who In the Name of Lara Croft Could Replace Angelina Jolie?

By Anne Thompson, Thompson on Hollywood

Yes, another reboot. GK Films is kicking of their new and (hopefully) improved Tomb Raider with the writers behind Iron Man and Cowboys & Aliens—Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby. They hope to create a “young and dynamic Lara Croft” and a new adventure story for the franchise (see more below on the original video game). Simon West directed Lara Croft: Tomb Raider in 2001, and two years later it was Jan de Bont with the less-successful Cradle of Life (the first made almost $275 million worldwide, the second only $156 million). While finding an adequate director for the reboot should be straight forward enough, it seems unimaginable that any actress can hold a candle to Angelina Jolie, in this or any other franchise. But assuming her Lara Croft days are indeed over, lets dreamcast the reboot. We’ll leave out those who already have or had franchises (i.e. Jennifer Lawrence, Kate Beckinsale, Milla Jovovich, Charlize Theron, etc). We’ve included a few that are probably a) too young, b) too short, c) not tough enough, d) too blond or c) can’t act. But humor us, and vote below.

Among GK Film’s other projects in the works: Jolie’s Bosnian love story, Tim Burton’s Dark Shadows, and Martin Scorsese’s Hugo Cabret, to name a few. Recent box office successes include Rango and The Town, and with nearly $278 million worldwide, their Jolie-Johnny Depp vehicle, The Tourist, can’t be ignored.

Thu., May. 5, 2011, 4:00am PT

Scribes to crack 'Tomb' GK Films taps Fergus, Ostby for 'Raider'

By Dave McNary

The writing team of Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby ("Cowboys & Aliens") have been tapped to pen GK Films' reboot of the "Tomb Raider" film franchise.

Graham King and Tim Headington are producing.

"Mark and Hawk's clear sensibilities of action and emotion are perfect for the direction we are taking this franchise," King said.

GK Films announced in March that it had acquired feature rights to the Lara Croft franchise from Japanese vidgame company Square Enix, with the goal of a 2013 release.

Fergus and Ostby's credits include "Children of Men" and "Iron Man." "We are thrilled to be working with Graham King and his formidable team -- and we aim to write an origin story for Lara Croft that solidifies her place alongside Ellen Ripley and Sarah Connor in the pantheon of great female action heroes" Fergus and Hawk said.

The 15-year-old vidgame franchise is one of the most popular in the more than 35 million game units sold worldwide. Paramount produced a pair of films -- 2001's "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider" and 2003's "Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life," both starring Angelina Jolie as the Brit archaeologist -- with combined worldwide grosses totaling $432 million.

British gamemaker Eidos launched the first Tomb Raider game in 1996 as a series of tombs through which players guide Lara Croft on a dangerous journey. Warner Bros., which owned 20% of Eidos, had launched development of a Tomb Raider project several years ago with Dan Lin producing, but the feature rights went to Square Enix after Eidos agreed in 2009 to be purchased by Square Enix for $120 million.

GK Films produced "Rango" and is in post-production on "Hugo Cabret," an untitled love story written and directed by Jolie, the crime drama "London Boulevard" and "The Rum Diary."

Fergus and Ostby are represented by CAA.

Contact Dave McNary at dave.mcnary@variety.com

New Tomb, but not Wanted

I saw this cover posted by GK Films and thought,"Well, why not." GK has an ongoing relationship with Angelina and just as Johnny is making a cameo in 21 Jump Street, it's certainly possible for her to do a cameo in the new Tomb Raider.

And since I am giving the Lara Croft reboot some space, I finally decided to post the article that quotes Mark Millar giving updates on Wanted 2. Millar is notorious for providing unreliable info and Angelina has long made it clear she will not be involved in any sequel so there's really not much here beyond the numbers.

Wanted grossed $341M WW and Millar said it made $250M -- probably counting ancillaries and net of P & A. Salt grossed $295M but probably has stronger Blu-ray, VOD, rental etc. revenues which should partly offset the theater gross and prod cost advantage of Wanted. Angie received $45M total for Wanted - $15M + 15%. She received $20M upfront for Salt and is due the balance of 20% of 1st $ gross which should bring her total to ... $50M? $60M? And as Sony acknowledged, worth every cent. So the question is: when will Salt 2 go into production?



Mark Millar Briefly Updates The Status On Sequels To Wanted & Kick-Ass

The creator of both the graphic novel Wanted and the comic mini-series Kick-Ass, Mark Millar, Briefly updates the sequels to both of the comics movie adaptions
While chatting with SUPER HERO HYPE about his recently debuted Kapow! Con, the topic of discussion changed to movie adaptions, in which Millar tackled the subject of the movie sequels to his graphic novel Wanted & his comic mini series Kick-Ass:

What's happening with the sequel to "Wanted"?

MM: "It's almost like a riddle. "Wanted" made so much money, but it cost $70 million but they made $250, so they want a sequel, but they killed off the reason that it made that money, so they're trying to figure out a way of bringing Angelina back from the dead, and they can't figure it out. Every month or so I'll talk to the guys at Universal, and they'll say ‘We'll talk to some screenwriters, we'll do another draft', and Angelina's like ‘my character's dead, I'm not coming back.' There's been two or three screenplays.

And "Kick-Ass 2"?

MM: "Kick-Ass 2," just not sure. We're all getting paid real money now, so it's really hard to get everyone back in the same room."

You're obviously now straddling both worlds between film and comics. Are you trying to spend more time making films?

MM: "No, no, no. I've got three new comic properties that I'm just doing instead. I don't want to write screenplays. The only screenplay I've attempted was "Miracle Park," because I knew I was directing that myself. I hate writing them to be honest; I like the finished product, but I hate the process."

Source: ComicBookMovie.com

And here is the guy who will be handling worldwide marketing for Angelina's Bosnian war drama.

GK Films Hires Ex-Miramax Exec Larry Angrisani To Spearhead Marketing

By MIKE FLEMING | Monday March 21, 2011 @ 7:01am EDT



Larry Angrisani has been appointed senior vice president of World Marketing and Publicity for Graham King's GK Films. He'll be responsible for campaigns for TV, film and new media, based out of GK's Santa Monica offices. Angrisani spent 7 years at Miramax Films, where he was senior veep of International Publicity and Awards. Angrisani brings Joelle Benazra, who was International Publicity Manager at Miramax and will take the same job at GK.

Since Miramax got out of the release business, Angrisani spearheaded the Golden Globe campaign for Disney's Alice in Wonderland, contulted for the Cinequest Film Festival and was an awards strategist for USA Network. At Miramax, he worked on international campaigns for films that included There Will Be Blood, Gone Baby Gone, No Country for Old Men and The Queen, among others. "After working on so many quality films and with an extensive list of accolades to his credit, Larry will bring a creative energy to the company as we continue to grow our brand," King said.

Tomb Raider Reboot

3.7.2011

The Official Blog of GK Films

GK FILMS REBOOTS TOMB RAIDER FILM FRANCHISE

In a pre-emptive strike, GK Films has come on board to acquire the feature film rights to TOMB RAIDER and will reboot the successful action-adventure franchise aiming for a 2013 release for the first film.

Produced by Graham King and Tim Headington, the films will create daring new adventures for the young and dynamic Lara Croft.

GK Films acquired the film rights from interactive entertainment company Square Enix Ltd. In Dec 2010, Square Enix subsidiary, Crystal Dynamics, revealed a new game for TOMB RAIDER based around the origins of the Lara Croft story.

“We are very excited to be rebooting what is already a hugely successful film franchise and continuing the TOMB RAIDER phenomenon,” said King.

The original game was published in 1996 by the London based video game company Eidos and became one of the most successful video games of the time. Today Eidos (including Crystal Dynamics), is part of an international interactive entertainment group, Square Enix and the stage is set for this new chapter in TOMB RAIDER history.

A pop culture phenomenon, the original TOMB RAIDER games have sold over 35million game units worldwide and Lara Croft, along with Mario Brothers is the most recognized name in gaming history.

Starring Angelina Jolie, Paramount Pictures made two movies based on the daredevil archaeologist on a series of global missions in 2001 and 2003. They grossed a total of $432m at the worldwide box office.

Senior Vice President, Grey Rembert will oversee the project for GK Films.

GK Films

Graham King launched GK Films in May 2007 with business partner Tim Headington. The company’s feature “The Town,” written and directed by Ben Affleck, was recently released by Warner Bros. on September 17. GK Films also produced “The Tourist,” directed by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck and starring Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp, which was released by Columbia Pictures on December 10 and has garnered $250m at the worldwide box office to date. Most recently, GK Films produced the animated tale “Rango,” directed by Gore Verbinski and produced with his Blind Wink Productions for Paramount Pictures, which was released on March 4. The company is currently in post-production on the 3-D family film “Hugo Cabret,” directed by Martin Scorsese set for release through Paramount Pictures on November 23^rd 2011, and an untitled love story, written and directed by Angelina Jolie.

GK Films recently announced several new projects including the screen adaptation of “Jersey Boys” and the untitled Freddie Mercury story starring Sacha Baron Cohen and written by Peter Morgan. Upcoming releases produced by GK Films include the crime drama London Boulevard, starring Colin Farrell and Keira Knightley and written and directed by Academy Award®-winning screenwriter William Monahan.

Recent GK Films releases include “Edge of Darkness,” and the three-time Academy Award® nominated “The Young Victoria.”

In 2010, Graham King and Tim Headington launched a new division, GK-TV. Run by President Craig Cegielski, GK-TV is dedicated to the development, production and worldwide distribution of television programming. GK-TV’s miniseries “Camelot,” set to premiere on Starz on April1, 2011, stars Joseph Fiennes and Eva Green.

GK Films, in partnership with Peter Schlessel, recently formed FilmDistrict, a multi-faceted studio that encompasses acquisitions, distribution, production and financing on wide release commercial pictures. The company will theatrically distribute several films per year.

GK Films can be found on the World Wide Web at http://gk-films.com.

About Square Enix Ltd.

Square Enix Ltd., a part of the Square Enix Europe business unit, develops, publishes, distributes and licenses SQUARE ENIX®, EIDOS® and TAITO® branded entertainment content in Europe and other PAL territories as part of the Square Enix Group. Square Enix Ltd. also has a global network of leading development studios such as IO Interactive™, Crystal Dynamics® and Eidos Montréal. The Square Enix Group boasts a valuable portfolio of intellectual property including: FINAL FANTASY®, which has sold over 97 million units worldwide, DRAGON QUEST® which has sold over 54 million units worldwide and TOMB RAIDER® which has sold over 35 million units worldwide; and the legendary SPACE INVADERS®. Square Enix Ltd. is a London-based, wholly-owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd.

More information on Square Enix Ltd. can be found at http://www.square-enix.com/eu/en/.

Could Angelina Jolie return in GK Films' new 'Tomb Raider'?

By Gregory Ellwood - New producer's plan an 'origin story' but...

Tuesday, Mar 8, 2011 4:04 AM

Angelina Jolie in "Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life."

Credit: Paramount Pictures

The last time video game icon Lara Croft graced the silver screen was in 2003's disappointing "Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life." If producer Graham King has his way, the franchise will return to life in 2013.

According to a release from GK Films, the independent production company has acquired the big screen rights to "Tomb Raider" from interactive entertainment company, Square Enix Ltd. Crystal Dynamics, a subsidiary of Square Enix, is planing a new game for Lara Croft based on the origins of the globetrotting adventurer.

“We are very excited to be rebooting what is already a hugely successful film franchise and continuing the 'Tomb Raider' phenomenon,” said King.

The announcement also says King and co-producer Tim Headington will "create daring new adventures for the young and dynamic Lara Croft."

Well, how young does she have to be?

The odd coincidence in GK Films' news is King's relationship with Angelina Jolie, who starred in the first two "Tomb Raider" films released by Paramount Pictures which grossed $432 million worldwide. Jolie recently appeared in King's hit "The Tourist" and has never closed the door at returning to a character she took quite seriously even if her "Lara Croft" directors didn't. If the new picture is an origin story, would it be that out of the box to see Jolie, still kicking ass at a hardly ancient 35, making a cameo? And since Jolie has been playing a variation of Croft in every action film she's made since, wouldn't one more go around be appropriate?

Considering GK Films has neither a writer or director on board yet, there's more than enough time to work the box office superstar into the game. Never say never.

‘Lara Croft: Tomb Raider’ Returns in 2013

Published by Jeff Leins on March 8, 2011

Graham King’s GK Films has acquired the film rights to Tomb Raider with the intention of rebooting the video game franchise on the big screen by 2013.

The new movie(s) will not have any narrative connection to Paramount’s Lara Croft action-adventures in 2001 and 2003 starring Angelina Jolie as the, um, well-endowed character in the signature tank top and short shorts.

Warner Bros picked up the rights in early 2009 with plans of bringing Lara Croft back, but the “re-imagining” never got off the ground. Twilight starlet Kristen Stewart was reportedly offered the gig back when she was being considered for Jolie action movie scraps like Wanted 2. That was a truly terrible idea, up there with rumors of mouthy actress Megan Fox taking over the role.

But GK Films isn’t just some random production company hoping to make a name for itself with an established brand. In 2010 alone, King produced Edge of Darkness, The Town, London Boulevard, and The Tourist. Perhaps it’s possible to revive the scantily clad Lara Croft as a kick-ass heroine, but who could they get to play her? Gemma Arterton?

Tomb Raider Reboot Is On The Way

Written by Ben Pearson on 3/08/11 • • Filed under:

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GK Films, the company behind movies like Traffic, The Departed, Gangs of New York, and The Aviator has acquired the rights to the Tomb Raider franchise. Angelina Jolie brought iconic video game character Lara Croft to life in two previous films – Lara Croft: Tomb Raider in 2001 and Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life in 2003 – but don’t expect her to reprise her role this time around.

Taking a cue from the recently-announced upcoming game in the series, GK Films intends on rebooting the franchise and will potentially use that game’s storyline to give Lara Croft a fresh start, concentrating on her origins. Here’s the plot summary for the game, which is titled simply “Tomb Raider”:

Fresh from academy and in search of lost relics, a 21-year-old Lara Croft journeys to an island off the coast of Japan aboard the Endurance, a salvage vessel helmed by Captain Conrad Roth. Before anchoring at bay, the ship is cleaved in two by an unforeseen storm leaving Croft separated from any other survivors and washed ashore. She must endure physical and emotional torture in order to survive the island.