Exclusive Media Group will acquire Newmarket Films, the Los Angeles-based film production and distribution company. After the deal, EMG will comprise Newmarket Films, Spitfire Pictures, Hammer and Exclusive Film Distribution, with offices in both Los Angeles and London.
The acquisition of Newmarket will add a library of more than 250 titles to EMG’s existing 300-title library. Newmarket’s production credits include “Memento,” “The Mexican,” “Cruel Intentions” and “The Prestige,” while its distribution arm has handled “Donnie Darko,” “Monster,” “Whale Rider” and “The Passion of the Christ.”
Newmarket and EMG recently partnered at the Toronto International Film Festival to acquire domestic distribution rights to Jon Amiel’s “Creation” starring Paul Bettany and Jennifer Connelly; film tells the story of Charles Darwin’s struggle to reconcile his love for his deeply religious wife with his own growing belief in evolution. Newmarket will theatrically release the film in the U.S. in January.
EMG announced that it plans to expand and recapitalize Newmarket’s U.S. theatrical distribution operation with plans to acquire and release four to six films a year.
Newmarket co-founder Chris Ball and the company’s executive team – comprising Chris Calhoon, Rene Cogan, John Crye and Robert Fyvolent – will become integrated into EMG’s U.S. operations.
Newmarket co-founder Will Tyrer will continue to have what EMG is describing as "a close informal relationship with the team."
The management of the enlarged group will see EMG chief executive Nigel Sinclair, Guy East and Newmarket’s Chris Ball serve jointly as co-chairmen of EMG, with Sinclair serving as group CEO.
