WWE Studios

WWE Studios Inc.
Formerly
 WWE Films (2002–2008)
Subsidiary
Industry Film
Founded 2002 (2002)
Headquarters Los Angeles, California United States
Area served
 Worldwide
Key people
 Michael Barnes (President)
Lodu Armaan
(SVP, Business Affairs)
Parent WWE
Subsidiaries WWE Studios Originals
WWE Studios Finance
WWE Films Development[1]
Website WWE Studios

WWE Studios Inc. (formerly known as WWE Films) is an American film studio owned by the professional wrestling corporation WWE. WWE Studios movies frequently mix well-known actors and actresses in lead roles with WWE wrestlers, and teams with existing production and distribution companies to deliver the product at a cheaper cost for both parties.

History

Before the formation of WWE Studios, the WWF had produced the 1989 film No Holds Barred featuring Hulk Hogan under the Shane Distribution Company banner, a precursor to today's company. The film was given a DVD release in 2012.[2]

WWE Studios was formed in 2002 as WWE Films,[3] and was seen as "a natural extension of the entertainment business" that they already featured in the weekly Raw and SmackDown television programs.[4] Joel Simon was named as President of the WWE Films and Jed Blaugrund as Vice President.[3][5] The name was changed to WWE Studios in 2008.[6][7]

WWE announced the first three film projects in January 2005; The Condemned, starring Steve Austin, The Marine, starring John Cena, and Goodnight, later retitled as See No Evil, starring Kane.[8][9]

In February 2009, WWE Studios announced the first film which would not feature a WWE wrestler as the lead, with That's What I Am starring Ed Harris as a schoolteacher accused of fondling kids.[10] In December 2009, it was announced that Patricia Clarkson and Danny Glover would star in the WWE Studios and Samuel Goldwyn Films co-production of Legendary along with WWE wrestler John Cena.[11][12] Around the same time, the film announced production had been completed on another co-production with Samuel Goldwyn Films, the comedy Knucklehead, which starred WWE wrestler Big Show.[13][14] Further projects were announced in 2010 with WWE wrestlers in lead roles, with The Chaperone starring Triple H,[15][16] which was released in February 2011,[17] and Bending the Rules starring Edge,[18][19] which was released in March 2012.[20][21] These initial releases were largely unsuccessful financially.[22]

In February 2012, WWE Studios agreed to a new three-film deal with 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment to produce, finance and market three straight-to-DVD titles,[23] including The Marine 3: Homefront starring The Miz, having previously worked with 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment on the previous films in the franchise, The Marine and The Marine 2. The deal also included the release of 12 Rounds 2: Reloaded starring Randy Orton, having together previously released 12 Rounds starring John Cena.[24]

In April 2012, WWE Studios partnered with Warner Bros. Entertainment France and producer Thomas Langmann to distribute French film Les Reines Du Ring in the United States and Canada,[25][26] as well as the rights to remake the film, which was announced in 2014.[27][28]

WWE Studios also produced No One Lives with Pathe Pictures, starring Luke Evans and WWE wrestler Brodus Clay, and acquired the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival cult hit The Day, starring Shawn Ashmore and Dominic Monaghan. WWE Studios has also acquired Interrogation, a suspense thriller by Adam Rodin.[29] WWE Studios then secured the rights to Bermuda, a found footage horror spec script by Bobby Lee Darby and Nathan Brookes, set in the Bermuda Triangle.[30] WWE Studios further announced a partnership with producer Edward R. Pressman and Jason Blum's Blum-Hanson-Allen films to develop Cruisin' for a Brusin', an action comedy to be written and directed by Adam Bhala Lough.[31] WWE Studios and Warner Bros. co-produced a Scooby-Doo animated feature that found Scooby and the gang solving a mystery at WrestleMania, which also starred an ensemble of WWE Superstars. The movie released on March 25, 2014.[32] On May 29, 2013, it was announced that WWE studios and Warner Bros would again team up to co-produce a Flintstones animated movie to be released in early 2015.[33]

WWE Studios most successful film to date is the 2013 release The Call, starring Halle Berry and Abigail Breslin, which made close to $70 million at the box office,[34] despite a comparatively small budget of just $13m.[35][36] The film opened at the US box office at #2 with 17 million in its first weekend.[34] It was further reported that WWE was looking at a potential sequel following the success of The Call.[37]

In 2013, WWE Studios and Hyde Park Entertainment announced a deal to work together on the film adaptation of the 1980s television series The Fall Guy. The film will star Dwayne Johnson, who made his name as The Rock in WWE from 1996–2004 before becoming an actor, in his second WWE Studios production, with the first being The Scorpion King.[38][39][40][41] In August 2014, a second collaboration between WWE Studios and Hyde Park was announced, with Ken Jeong, David Hasselhoff and WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan signed to star in a comedy Killing Hasselhoff.[42][43]

In February 2014, WWE announced the sequel to the 1996 film Jingle All the Way, to star Larry the Cable Guy and WWE wrestler Santino Marella.[44][45]

In May 2014, it was announced that WWE had extended their partnership with Lionsgate Entertainment to release a further six films together,[46][47] with the first two announced as Vendetta, starring The Big Show[48] and 12 Rounds 3: Lockdown starring Dean Ambrose.[49][50] These group of six films have been referred as the Action Six-Pack Series.[51]

In November 2014, WWE announced a new partnership deal with Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.[52] And in the turn of the year, WWE had announced two new partnership deals. In March 2015, they announced a partnership with newly founded Gene Simmons production company Erebus Pictures and[53] in April 2015, WWE Studios teamed with British company Richwater Films to co-produce and co-finance action-thrillers Eliminators and Rampage.[54]

In November 2017, WWE announced that WWE Studios will expand its mandate to include scripted, non-scripted, family, and animated television and digital content.[55]

Filmography

Released

Year Title US Release Date WWE Superstar(s) Featured Distributor Notes
2002The Scorpion KingApril 19, 2002The RockUniversal Picturesas WWF Entertainment
2003The RundownSeptember 26, 2003
2004Walking TallApril 2, 2004Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
2006See No EvilMay 19, 2006KaneLionsgate
2006The MarineOctober 13, 2006John Cena20th Century Fox
2007The CondemnedApril 27, 2007Steve AustinLionsgateLast theatrical film as WWE Films
2009Behind Enemy Lines: ColombiaJanuary 6, 2009Mr. Kennedy20th Century FoxStraight-to-video
200912 RoundsMarch 27, 2009John CenaFirst theatrical film as WWE Studios
2009The Marine 2December 29, 2009Ted DiBiase Jr.Straight-to-video
2010LegendarySeptember 10, 2010John CenaSamuel Goldwyn Films
2010KnuckleheadOctober 22, 2010Big Show
2011The ChaperoneFebruary 18, 2011Triple H
2011That's What I AmApril 29, 2011Randy Orton
2011Inside OutSeptember 9, 2011Triple H
2011The ReunionOctober 21, 2011John Cena
2012Bending the RulesMarch 9, 2012EdgeWWE Studios
2012The DayAugust 29, 2012Anchor Bay Films
WWE Studios		Distribution only
2012BarricadeSeptember 25, 2012WWE Studios
2013The Marine 3: HomefrontMarch 5, 2013The Miz20th Century FoxStraight-to-video
2013Dead Man DownMarch 8, 2013Wade BarrettFilmDistrict
2013The CallMarch 15, 2013David OtungaTriStar Pictures
2013No One LivesMay 10, 2013Brodus ClayAnchor Bay Films
2013Queens of the Ring (Les reines du ring)July 3, 2013 (France)
November 11, 2014 (US)		The Miz1
CM Punk1
Eve Torres1		Image EntertainmentStraight-to-video (US)
201312 Rounds 2: ReloadedJune 4, 2013Randy Orton20th Century FoxStraight-to-video
2013Christmas BountyNovember 26, 2013The MizWarner Bros.TV movie
2014Scooby-Doo! WrestleMania MysteryMarch 25, 2014Various voices2Warner Bros.Straight-to-video, animated
2014OculusApril 11, 2014Relativity Media
2014Road to PalomaJuly 11, 2014Anchor Bay Entertainment
WWE Studios		Distribution only
2014Leprechaun: OriginsAugust 22, 2014HornswoggleLionsgate
2014See No Evil 2October 21, 2014KaneLionsgateStraight-to-video
2014Jingle All the Way 2December 2, 2014Santino Marella20th Century FoxStraight-to-video
2015The Flintstones & WWE: Stone Age SmackDown!March 10, 2015Various voices3Warner Bros.Straight-to-video, animated
2015The Marine 4: Moving TargetApril 21, 2015The Miz
Summer Rae		20th Century FoxStraight-to-video
2015VendettaJune 12, 2015Big ShowLionsgateStraight-to-video, 1st installment in the Action Six-Pack series
201512 Rounds 3: LockdownSeptember 11, 2015Dean AmbroseLionsgateStraight-to-video, 2nd installment in the Action Six-Pack series
2015The Condemned 2November 6, 2015Randy OrtonLionsgateStraight-to-video
2015Santa's Little HelperNovember 17, 2015The Miz
Paige		20th Century FoxStraight-to-video
2016CountdownApril 5, 2016Dolph Ziggler
Kane
Various cameos4		LionsgateStraight-to-video
2016Term LifeApril 29, 2016Focus WorldLimited release
2016Scooby-Doo! and WWE: Curse of the Speed DemonJuly 26, 2016 (Digital HD)
August 9, 2016 (Home video)		Various voices5Warner Bros.Straight-to-video, animated
2016InterrogationSeptember 20, 2016Edge
Lana		Lionsgate3rd installment in the Action Six-Pack series[56]
2016IncarnateDecember 2, 2016Mark HenryBH Tilt
2016EliminatorsDecember 6, 2016Wade BarrettUniversal Studios Home Entertainment
2017Surf's Up 2: WaveManiaJanuary 17, 2017Various voices6Columbia Pictures, Sony Pictures AnimationStraight-to-video, animated
2017The Resurrection of Gavin StoneJanuary 20, 2017Shawn MichaelsBH Tilt
2017The Jetsons & WWE: Robo-WrestleMania!February 28, 2017 (Digital HD)
March 14, 2017 (Home video)		Various voices7Warner Bros.Straight-to-video, animated
2017The Marine 5: BattlegroundMarch 28, 2017 (Digital HD)
April 25, 2017 (Home Video)		The Miz
Maryse Ouellet
Heath Slater
Curtis Axel
Bo Dallas
Naomi		Sony Pictures Worldwide AcquisitionsStraight-to-video
2017SleightApril 28, 2017Universal PicturesDistribution only
2017Pure Country: Pure HeartAugust 1, 2017Shawn MichaelsWarner Bros. Home EntertainmentStraight-to-video
2017Armed ResponseAugust 4, 2017Seth RollinsErebus PicturesStraight-to-video
2017Birth of the DragonAugust 25, 2017BH Tilt
2017Killing HasselhoffAugust 29, 2017Image NationStraight-to-video
2018Mohawk[57]February 23, 2018Luke HarperSnowfort Pictures
  1. ^ Cameos only.
  2. ^ Voices include: Brodus Clay, Michael Cole, Kane, AJ Lee, Santino Marella, The Miz, Triple H, John Cena, and Vince McMahon.
  3. ^ Voices include: Brie Bella, The Undertaker, Nikki Bella, CM Punk, Vince McMahon, Rey Mysterio, Daniel Bryan, Mark Henry, and John Cena.
  4. ^ Cameos include: Lana, Rusev, Jimmy Uso, Jey Uso, Roman Reigns, Santino Marella, Dean Ambrose, Curtis Axel, Mark Henry, Big Show, Daniel Bryan, Heath Slater, Randy Orton, Charles Robinson, Big E, Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods, Viktor, Konnor, Sin Cara, Kalisto, Brock Lesnar, and Paul Heyman.
  5. ^ Voices include: The Undertaker, Triple H, Stephanie McMahon, Vince McMahon, Michael Cole, Paige, Sheamus, Kofi Kingston, Dusty Rhodes, The Miz, Rusev, Lana, Goldust, Stardust, Diego, Fernando, and El Torito.
  6. ^ Voices include: The Undertaker, Triple H, Paige, John Cena, Michael Cole and Vince McMahon.
  7. ^ Voices include: Sheamus, Dolph Ziggler, Stardust, Michael Cole, Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, Alicia Fox, Big Show, Vince McMahon, and The Usos

Upcoming

Year Title US Release Date WWE Superstar(s) Featured Distributor Notes
2018The Marine 6: Close Quarters[58]November 13, 2018 The Miz
Becky Lynch
Shawn Michaels		Sony Pictures Worldwide AcquisitionsCompleted Awaiting Release
2018Blood Brother[59]November 30, 2018R-Truth[60]CodeBlack Films
2019Fighting with My Family[61]March 1, 2019The Rock
Zelina Vega		Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
WWE Studios
TBCThe Buddy Games[62]SheamusPost-production
TBCThe Fall Guy[63]The RockDreamWorksIn development
TBCRampage
TBCLong Shot[64]WWE Studios
TBCCold Prey[65]
TBCUntitled Gorgeous George film[66]

References

  1. ↑ "WORLD WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENTINC - FORM 10-K - EX-21.1 - LIST OF SUBSIDIARIES - February 17, 2015". Getfillings.com. 2015-01-17. Retrieved 2015-04-20.
  2. ↑ "World Wrestling Entertainment announces WWE Films". WWE Official Website (Corporate). July 21, 2008. Archived from the original on June 15, 2010. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
  3. 1 2 "WWE creates new Los Angeles-based film division". WWE Official Website (Corporate). July 31, 2002. Archived from the original on March 13, 2014. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
  4. ↑ Ronay, Barney (2 September 2010). "How wrestling is taking over the movies". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  5. ↑ "WWE Films names Jed Blaugrund as Vice President". WWE Official Website (Corporate). 9 September 2002. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  6. ↑ Hernandez, Sergio (28 March 2012). "WWE Studios to release Hulk Hogan's No Holds Barred on DVD this summer". CageSide Seats. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  7. ↑ Ocal, Arda (3 July 2012). "Unintentional comedy of 'No Holds Barred' makes newest WWE DVD release worth your time". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  8. ↑ "Stone Cold goes Hollywood". WWE Official Website (Corporate). 18 January 2005. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  9. ↑ Oliver, Greg (7 December 2005). "WWE moving slow on film projects". Slam Sports. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  10. ↑ "Ed Harris to star in WWE Studios Big Red". WWE Official Website (Corporate). 19 February 2009. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  11. ↑ "Clarkson leads cast for WWE Studios "Brother's Keeper"". WWE Official Website (Corporate). 8 December 2009. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  12. ↑ Fernandez, Jay A; Andreeva, Nellie (8 December 2009). "Clarkson, Glover, Cena join "Brother's Keeper"". Reuters. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  13. ↑ "WWE Studios completes production on "Knucklehead"". WWE Official Website (Corporate). 2 November 2009. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  14. ↑ Rossen, Jake (3 November 2009). "WWE wraps MMA-themed "Knucklehead"". ESPN. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  15. ↑ "WWE Studios announced The Chaperone". WWE Official Website (Corporate). 7 June 2010. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  16. ↑ "WWE Studios Announces The Chaperone". ComingSoon. 8 June 2010. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  17. ↑ Gish, Annabeth (17 February 2011). "Triple H is The Chaperone". IGN. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  18. ↑ "Bending The Rules cast announcement". WWE Official Website (Corporate). 27 August 2010. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  19. ↑ Fleming, Mike (24 August 2010). "WWE Studios Starts 'Bending The Rules'". Deadline. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  20. ↑ Harris, Keith (10 March 2012). "Edge's new WWE movie Bending The Rules now out in nine theatres". CageSide Seats. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  21. ↑ "Bending the Rules". Washington Post. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  22. ↑ "10 WWE Studios That Lost Millions". Retrieved 5 December 2014.
  23. ↑ "WWE Studios and Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment strike three picture deal". WWE Official Website (Corporate). 15 February 2012. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  24. ↑ "WWE Studios and Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment strike three picture deal". Icon vs Icon. 15 February 2012.
  25. ↑ "WWE Studios joins "Queens of the Ring"". WWE Official Website. 30 April 2012. Archived from the original on May 5, 2012. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  26. ↑ Graser, Marc (1 May 2012). "WWE in ring for French film". Variety. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  27. ↑ "WWE Studios sets plans to remake French comedy 'Queens of the Ring' ('Les Reines du Ring')". WWE Official Website. 26 February 2014. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  28. ↑ Graser, Marc (26 February 2014). "WWE Studios to Remake French Comedy 'Queens of the Ring'". Variety. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  29. ↑ Fleming, Mike (8 June 2012). "WWE Studios Acquires Spec Thriller 'Interrogation'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 26 February 2013.
  30. ↑ Gallagher, Brian (20 January 2012). "Bermuda Lands at WWE Studios". MovieWeb. Retrieved 26 February 2013.
  31. ↑ Patten, Dominic (14 February 2013). "WWE Studios, Edward R. Pressman & Jason Blum Team For 'Cruisin' For A Bruisin'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 26 February 2013.
  32. ↑ "WWE Studios (Pile)Drives a New Scooby-Doo Animated Feature". ComingSoon.net. 15 August 2012. Retrieved 26 February 2013.
  33. ↑ Fleming, Mike (29 May 2013). "Animated 'Flintsones' Pic Adds Pro Wrestlers To Its Bedrock". Deadline. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  34. 1 2 "The Call". Box Office Mojo. 15 March 2013. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  35. ↑ Pomerantz, Dorothy (26 March 2013). "'The Call' Is A Sleeper Hit For Halle Berry". Forbes. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  36. ↑ Dargis, Manohla (14 March 2013). "Life-Altering Plea for Help". New York Times. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  37. ↑ Graser, Marc (7 April 2013). "'The Call' Dials Up WWE's Film Biz". Deadline. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  38. ↑ "The Rock in talks to star in WWE Studios and Hyde Park Entertainment's 'The Fall Guy'". WWE Official Website. 6 September 2013. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  39. ↑ Graser, Marc; Kroll, Justin (5 September 2013). "Dwayne Johnson Eyes 'Fall Guy' Film Produced by WWE Studios, Hyde Park". Variety. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  40. ↑ O'Brien, Lucy (5 September 2013). "Dwayne Johnson & McG on board for The Fall Guy". IGN. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  41. ↑ White, James (6 September 2013). "Dwayne Johnson Will Be The Fall Guy". Empire. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  42. ↑ Graser, Marc (20 August 2014). "Ken Jeong to Star in WWE Studios Comedy with Hulk Hogan, David Hasselhoff". Variety. Retrieved 25 August 2014.
  43. ↑ Yamato, Jen (20 August 2014). "Ken Jeong Dives Into Celebrity Death Pool Pic For Hyde Park, WWE Studios". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 25 August 2014.
  44. ↑ Forté, Malik (11 February 2014). "WWE Studios starting production on Jingle All The Way 2". Nerdist. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  45. ↑ Burns, Ashley (11 February 2014). "The WWE And Fox Are Producing 'Jingle All The Way 2′ Starring... Larry The Cable Guy". Uproxx. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  46. ↑ "WWE Studios and Lionsgate to repartner on 'Action Six-Pack'". WWE Official Website. 22 May 2014. Retrieved 8 July 2014.
  47. ↑ Graser, Marc (21 May 2014). "WWE Signs Six Picture Deal with Lionsgate". Variety. Retrieved 8 July 2014.
  48. ↑ Yamato, Jen (21 May 2014). "WWE Studios & Lionsgate Pact On Action Six-Pack, Tap Soska Twins To Direct WWE's Big Show In 'Vendetta'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  49. ↑ Graser, Marc (14 August 2014). "WWE Studios, Lionsgate Greenlight Actioner 'Lockdown'". Variety. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  50. ↑ Hooton, Christopher (15 August 2014). "WWE's Dean Ambrose to star in his own action movie Lockdown". The Independent. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  51. ↑ "WWE Studios". Retrieved January 4, 2017.
  52. ↑ "Warner Bros. Home Entertainment and WWE announce new partnership". WWE Official Website. November 19, 2014. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
  53. ↑ "Gene Simmons, WWE Studios partner for new horror label Erebus Pictures". WWE Official Website. November 19, 2014. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
  54. ↑ "WWE Studios to Partner with Richwater on Two Films". Variety.
  55. ↑ "WWE Studios goes multiplatform". WWE. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
  56. ↑ "WWE Studios". Retrieved January 4, 2017.
  57. ↑ "Luke Harper to appear in horror movie 'Mohawk'". Retrieved January 4, 2017.
  58. ↑ "Film News Roundup: Dominique McElligott, Beau Bridges Join Boyd Holbrook's 'Two/One'publisher=Variety". November 22, 2017.
  59. ↑ McNary, Dave (December 4, 2015). "WWE Studios Teaming With Lionsgate's Codeblack for Film Slate". Variety.
  60. ↑ "R-Truth To Appear In Upcoming WWE Studios Movie - Wrestling-News.Net". Retrieved January 4, 2017.
  61. ↑ "Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson is producing a film about WWE star Paige". Washington Post. Retrieved February 8, 2017.
  62. ↑ "Josh Duhamel To Make Directing Debut On WWE Studios' 'The Buddy Games'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 26, 2017.
  63. ↑ Kroll, Marc Graser,Justin (September 5, 2013). "Dwayne Johnson Eyes 'Fall Guy' Film Produced by WWE Studios, Hyde Park". Retrieved January 4, 2017.
  64. ↑ "WWE Studios". Retrieved January 4, 2017.
  65. ↑ "Deadline". Retrieved February 7, 2017.
  66. ↑ McNary, Dave (October 14, 2015). "Josh Gad Writing 'Gorgeous George' Biopic Movie for WWE Studios". Variety.
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