Spyglass Media Group CEO Gary Barber announced on Tuesday that the newly-launched company has landed Warner Bros. Pictures as a strategic investor.
Warner Bros. will have an equity investment in Spyglass as well as a first-look arrangement for content.
“For many years, Warner Bros. has been a dedicated studio partner and we have shared numerous successes together,” Barber said in a statement. “Their confidence in Spyglass’ brand and vision is invaluable as we continue to build a premier content company. I look forward to our future collaborations together.”
Barber has a long-standing history with Warner Bros., working with the studio for nearly 30 years. His relationship dates back to the worldwide release of “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves” and “Ace Ventura,” during his time at Morgan Creek Productions. He later worked with Warner Bros. on the theatrical release of “Four Christmases” and “Invictus” while at Spyglass Entertainment.
Barber and Warner Bros. most recently teamed up on co-productions of “The Hobbit” trilogy, the “Creed” franchise and “Me Before You” while he was at MGM.
“We have a long, successful relationship with Gary and we’re excited to be in business with him at Spyglass. We’re looking forward to exploring the creative opportunities Spyglass has to offer,” Warner Bros. chairman Toby Emmerich said in a statement.
Last month, Spyglass Media launched in partnership between Barber and Lantern Entertainment co-presidents Andy Mitchell and Milos Brajovic and strategic investors Eagle Pictures, the largest independent distributor in Italy and Cineworld Group, the second largest theater chain in the world.
Through its partnership with Lantern, which bought the assets of The Weinstein Co. out of bankruptcy, Spyglass is home to more than 250 film library titles, scripted and unscripted TV series, such as “Project Runway,” as well as Academy Award winners “The King’s Speech” and “The Artist,” and box office hits “Inglourious Basterds,” “Silver Linings Playbook,” “The Hateful Eight” and “Django Unchained.”