Spyglass Media Group Secures Warner Bros. Pictures as a Strategic Investor
LOS ANGELES — Spyglass Media Group, LLC (“Spyglass”), an independent premium content company, has secured Warner Bros. Pictures as a strategic investor, it was announced today by Gary Barber, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Spyglass.
Through the strategic partnership, Warner Bros. Pictures will have an equity investment in Spyglass as well as a first-look arrangement for content.
Barber’s long-standing history with Warner Bros. dates back nearly 30 years with the worldwide release of “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves” and “Ace Ventura,” during his time at Morgan Creek Productions; later with the theatrical release of “Four Christmases” and “Invictus” while at Spyglass Entertainment; and most recently with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures’ co-productions of “The Hobbit” trilogy; the “Creed” franchise; and the sleeper hit “Me Before You.”
Barber said, “For many years, Warner Bros. has been a dedicated studio partner and we have shared numerous successes together. 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.”
Toby Emmerich, Chairman, Warner Bros. Pictures Group, said, “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.”
Last month, Spyglass Media Group 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. The company is primarily focused on developing, producing, financing and acquiring premium content worldwide for theatrical, network, cable and streaming platforms. Spyglass is home to more than 250 film library titles, scripted and unscripted television series, such as “Project Runway;” Academy Award winners “The King’s Speech” and “The Artist;” box office hits “Inglourious Basterds,” “Silver Linings Playbook,” “The Hateful Eight,” “Django Unchained” and “Spy Kids,” and genre franchises “Hellraiser” and “Scream.”