Walden Media
Walden Media, LLC or Walden Media is an American film investor, distributor, and publishing company. Its films are based on notable classic or award-winning children's literature, compelling biographies or historical events, as well as documentaries and some original screenplays.
 | |
| Film Financing Publishing Company | |
| Industry | Film |
| Founded | 2000 |
| Founder | Micheal Flaherty Cary Granat |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles, California |
Key people | Frank Smith (President & CEO) Naia Cucukov (EVP, Development & Production) |
| Owner | Anschutz Entertainment Group |
| Divisions | Walden Pond Press |
| Website | walden |
The corporate headquarters of Walden Media are located in Los Angeles, California. The company is owned by the Christian conservative Philip Anschutz, who has said he expects their movies "to be entertaining, but also to be life affirming and to carry a moral message."[1]
Walden Media's publishing enterprise, Walden Pond Press, a joint venture with Harper Collins, publishes the next generation of middle grade books—fast paced, funny, engaging, compulsively readable stories by well-established authors and new talent.[2] The two marked characteristics of the imprint are its high quality titles and its embrace of a multi-platform approach to storytelling. From 2004-2008, Walden Media published books in partnership with Penguin Books for Young Readers.
Company history
Walden Media was founded in 2000 by Micheal Flaherty and Cary Granat.[3] Granat was president of Miramax's Dimension Films division,[3][4] and Flaherty came from the world of education. The two were housemates at Tufts University before following different paths and then reuniting to form Walden Media as a movie, television, publishing and Internet enterprise whose goal is to teach and entertain kids.
In late 2001, Anschutz Entertainment Group purchased a majority stake in the company leaving the founders minority shareholders.[3]
The company's notable releases include Holes in 2003, Because of Winn-Dixie in 2005,[4] Charlotte's Web in 2006, Bridge to Terabithia, in 2007, three adaptations of The Chronicles of Narnia in 2005, 2008 and 2010, Ramona and Beezus in 2010, and both A Dog's Purpose and Wonder in 2017.[5] All of these films are adaptations of popular children's books.
Walden agreed to a marketing partnership with Fox in 2006 under the Fox Walden name. Several movies flopped under the partnership, so in October 2008, Fox Walden shrunk its staffing.[3]
In March 2008, Michael Bostick, formerly from Imagine Films, was hired on as creative officer then added co-CEO title. Co-CEO Cary Granat was released from the job effective December 1, 2008. He was replaced by Bostick.[3] Also in 2008, Walden Media entered into a join publishing venture called Walden Pond Press with HarperCollins.[6]
Frank Smith was named CEO in 2013 after working with the company since 2003. Prior to his engagement with AFG, Smith worked at New Line Cinema/Fine Line Features [7]
Education program
Walden Media is unique among film production and distribution companies in that it works with teachers, museums, and national organizations to develop supplemental educational programs and materials associated with its films and the original events and/or novels that inspire the films.[8]
Walden Media offers in-class teaching tools like educational guides and teacher kits[9] and sponsors seminars and forums for teachers to discuss their craft and to trade ideas on using media in the classroom. Directors, writers, and stars of the productions participate in these events.
In 2006, Walden Media sponsored the "Break the World Reading Record with Charlotte's Web". At noon on Wednesday, December 13, 547,826 readers in 2,451 locations, 50 states and 28 countries read an excerpt from Charlotte's Web, breaking the world record of 155,528 students from 737 schools in the United Kingdom who read William Wordsworth's poem, "Daffodils" in 2004.[10]
Walden Media continues to expand the impact of most of its film and publishing projects by creating and offering meaningful educational outreach to educators, librarians, parents and the children in their lives.[11]
Etymology and logo
The company is named after Walden Pond in Concord, Massachusetts. Its logo is a rock skipping across a pond.
Filmography
| Films | Release date | Co-produced with |
|---|---|---|
| Ghosts of the Abyss | April 11, 2003 | co-production with Walt Disney Pictures, Earthship Productions, Ascot Elite Entertainment Group, Golden Village, Telepool and UGC PH |
| Holes | April 18, 2003 | co-production with Walt Disney Pictures, Phoenix Pictures and Chicago Pacific Entertainment |
| Around the World in 80 Days | June 16, 2004 | co-production with Walt Disney Pictures, Spanknyce Films, and Mostow/Lieberman Productions |
| I Am David | December 3, 2004 | co-production with Lions Gate Films and Film and General |
| Because of Winn-Dixie | February 18, 2005 | co-production with 20th Century Fox |
| Aliens of the Deep | January 28, 2005 | co-production with Walt Disney Pictures and Earthship Productions |
| The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe | December 9, 2005 | co-production with Walt Disney Pictures |
| Hoot | May 5, 2006 | co-produced by New Line Cinema and The Kennedy/Marshall Company |
| How to Eat Fried Worms | August 25, 2006 | co-production with New Line Cinema and Gran Via Productions |
| Charlotte's Web | December 15, 2006 | co-production with Paramount Pictures, The K Entertainment Company, and Nickelodeon Movies |
| Bridge to Terabithia | February 16, 2007 | co-production with Walt Disney Pictures |
| The Seeker: The Dark is Rising | October 5, 2007 | co-production with 20th Century Fox |
| Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium | November 16, 2007 | co-production with 20th Century Fox, Mandate Pictures and FilmColony |
| The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep | December 25, 2007 | co-production with Columbia Pictures, Revolution Studios, Strike Entertainment, Ecosse Films, Weta Workshop and Beacon Pictures |
| Nim's Island | April 4, 2008 | co-production with 20th Century Fox |
| The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian | May 16, 2008 | co-production with Walt Disney Pictures |
| Journey to the Center of the Earth | July 11, 2008 | co-production with New Line Cinema |
| City of Ember | October 10, 2008 | co-production with 20th Century Fox and Playtone |
| Bandslam | August 14, 2009 | co-produced by Summit Entertainment |
| Tooth Fairy | January 22, 2010 | co-production with 20th Century Fox, Mayhem Pictures, Blumhouse Productions and Dune Entertainment |
| Ramona and Beezus | July 23, 2010 | co-production with 20th Century Fox, Di Novi Pictures and Dune Entertainment |
| Waiting for "Superman" | September 24, 2010 | co-production with Paramount Vantage and Participant Media |
| The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader | December 10, 2010 | co-production with 20th Century Fox and Dune Entertainment |
| Journey 2: The Mysterious Island | February 10, 2012 | co-production with Warner Bros. Pictures, New Line Cinema and Contrafilm |
| Tooth Fairy 2 | March 6, 2012 | Direct-to-video; co-production with 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment |
| Won't Back Down | September 28, 2012 | co-production with 20th Century Fox and Gran Via Productions |
| Chasing Mavericks | October 26, 2012 | co-production with 20th Century Fox |
| Parental Guidance | December 25, 2012 | co-production with 20th Century Fox, Chernin Entertainment, Face Productions and Dune Entertainment |
| Return to Nim's Island | March 15, 2013 | Direct-to-video; co-production with ARC Entertainment |
| The Giver | August 15, 2014 | co-production with The Weinstein Company |
| Everest | September 18, 2015 | co-production with Universal Pictures, Cross Creek Pictures, and Working Title Films |
| The BFG | July 1, 2016 | co-production with Walt Disney Pictures, Amblin Entertainment, Reliance Entertainment and The Kennedy/Marshall Company |
| The Resurrection of Gavin Stone | January 20, 2017 | co-production with Blumhouse Tilt, WWE Studios, and Vertical Church Films |
| A Dog's Purpose | January 27, 2017 | co-production with Universal Pictures, Amblin Entertainment, Reliance Entertainment, and Pariah Entertainment Group |
| Wonder | November 17, 2017 | co-production with Lionsgate, Participant Media, and Mandeville Films |
| The Star | co-production with Columbia Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation, Affirm Films, Franklin Entertainment, and The Jim Henson Company[12] | |
| A Dog's Journey | May 17, 2019 | co-production with Universal Pictures, Amblin Entertainment and Alibaba Pictures |
| Dora and the Lost City of Gold | August 9, 2019 | co-production with Paramount Pictures, Paramount Players, Nickelodeon Movies and Media Rights Capital |
| Playing with Fire | November 8, 2019 | co-production with Paramount Pictures, Paramount Players, Nickelodeon Movies and Broken Road Productions |
Upcoming
| Films | Release date | Co-produced with |
|---|---|---|
| Clifford the Big Red Dog | November 13, 2020 | Paramount Pictures, Entertainment One,[13] Scholastic Entertainment, The Kerner Entertainment Company and Silvertongue Films[14][15][16][17] |
| Rumble[18][19] | November 25, 2020 | Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, WWE Studios and Reel FX Creative Studios |
| Ms. Bixby's Last Day | March 5, 2021 | 20th Century Studios, Gunpowder & Sky and TSG Entertainment[20] |
| Spirit Riding Free | May 14, 2021 | Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Animation |
| How the Girl Guides Won the War[21] | TBA | Lionsgate |
| Billion Dollar Spy[22] | Weed Road Pictures | |
| Atlantis 7 | 21 Laps Entertainment and The Gotham Group | |
| Simon Bloom: The Gravity Keeper | The Gotham Group |
Published books
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH WALDEN POND PRESS/HARPERCOLLINS CHILDRENS BOOKS
- Cosmic by Frank Cottrell Boyce
- Max Cassidy: Escape from Shadow Island by Paul Adam
- The Last Words of Will Wolfkin by Steven Knight
- The Billionaire's Curse by Richard Newsome
- Guys Read: Funny Business by Jon Sciezska et. Al
- The Fourth Stall by Chris Rylander
- Juniper Berry by Michael Koslowsky
- The Emerald Casket by Richard Newsome
- Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu
- Guys Read: Trhiller by Jon Sciezska et. Al
- The Fourth Stall Part 2 by Chris Rylander
- Neversink Barry Wolverton
- The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdomby Christopher Healy
- The Mask of Destiny by Richard Newsome
- Guys Read: The Sports Pages by Jon Sciezska et. Al
- The Fourth Stall, Part 3 by Chris Rylander
- Fellowship for Alien Detection by Kevin Emerson
- The Hero's Guide to Storming the Castle by Christopher Healy
- The Girl From Felony Bay by John Thompson
- Platypus Police Squad: The Frog Who Croaked by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
- Sidekicked by John David Anderson
- Guys Read: Other Worlds by Jon Sciezska et. Al
- The Real Boy by Anne Ursu
- Code Name Zero by Chris Rylander
- Dyerville Tales by Michael Koslowsky
- The Hero's Guide to Being an Outlaw by Christopher Healy
- Platypus Police Squad: The Ostrich Conspiracy by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
- Minion by John David Anderson
- Guys Read: True Stories by Jon Sciezska et. Al
- Disappearance at Hangman's Bluff by John Thompson
- Countdown Zero by Chris Rylander
- Platypus Police Squad: Last Panda Standing by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
- The Dungeoneers by John David Anderson
- The Vanishing Island by Barry Wolverton
- The Astounding Broccoli Boy by Frank Cottrell Boyce
- Guys Read: Terrifying Tales by Jon Sciezska et. Al
- Crisis Zero by Chris Rylander
- The Mechanical Mind of John Coggin by Elinor Teele
- Platypus Police Squad: Never Say Narwhal by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
- Ms. Bixby's Last Day by John David Anderson
- The Dragon's Gate by Barry Wolverton
- A Boy Called Bat by Elana K. Arnold
- Last Day on Mars by Kevin Emerson
- Guys Read: Heroes and Villains by Jon Sciezska et. Al
- Posted by John David Anderson
- York: The Shadow Cipher by Laura Ruby
- Orphan Island by Laurel Snyder
- Sputnik's Guide to Life on Earth by Frank Cottrell Boyce
- Two Truths and a Lie: Forces of Nature by Ammi-Joan Paquette and Laurie Ann Thompson
- The Sea of the Dead by Barry Wolverton
- Love Sugar Magic: A Dash of Trouble by Anna Meriano
- Bat and the Waiting Game by Elana K. Arnold
- The Oceans Between Stars by Kevin Emerson
- Granted by John David Anderson
- Two Truths and a Lie: Histories and Mysteries by Ammi-Joan Paquette and Laurie Ann Thompson
- The Treasure of Mad Doc Magee by Elinor Teele
- A Perilous Journey of Danger and Mayhem: A Dastardly Plot by Christopher Healy
- The Lost Girl by Anne Ursu
- The Missing Piece of Charlie O'Reilly by Rebecca Ansari
- Love Sugar Magic: A Sprinkle of Spirits by Anna Meriano
- Bat and the End of Everything by Elana K. Arnold
- The Shores Beyond Time by Kevin Emerson
- York: The Clockwork Ghost by Laura Ruby
- Finding Orion by John David Anderson
- Two Truths and a Lie: Forces of Nature by Ammi-Joan Paquette and Laurie Ann Thompson
- My Jasper June by Laurel Snyder
- A Perilous Journey of Danger and Mayhem: The Treacherous Seas by Christopher Healy
- Love Sugar Magic: A Mixture of Mischief by Anna Meriano
- York: The Map of the Stars by Laura Ruby
- One Last Shot by John David Anderson
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PENGUIN BOOKS FOR YOUNG READERS
- The White Giraffe by Lauren St John
- Paddywhack Lane by Bob Fuller
- Jim Thorpe: Original All American by Joseph Bruchac
- Simon Bloom, the Gravity Keeper by Michael Reisman
- Simon Bloom: The Octopus Effect by Michael Reisman
- Savvy by Ingrid Law
- Scumble by Ingrid Law
- Dolphin Song by Lauren St. John
- Mike Lupica's Comeback Kid Book Series: Two-Minute Drill by Mike Lupica
- Mike Lupica's Comeback Kid Book Series: Safe at Home by Mike Lupica
- Mike Lupica's Comeback Kid Book Series: Hot Hand by Mike Lupica
- Mike Lupica's Comeback Kid Book Series: Shoot Out by Mike Lupica
- Dolphin Song by Lauren St. John
- The Last Leopard by Lauren St. John
- The Elephant's Tale by Lauren St. John
- Raspberries by Jay O'Callahan
References
- Berkowitz, Bill. "The movie, the media, and the conservative politics of Philip Anschutz". Media Transparency, 2 December 2005.
- HarperCollins Children's Imprints
- Eller, Claudia (November 14, 2008). "Granat out at Walden Media". LA Times Blogs - Company Town. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
- Jensen, Jeff. "The Family Business". Entertainment Weekly, 28 April 2006: 58–61.
- Between Hollywood and Godlywood: the Case of Walden Media by Nathalie Dupont, Peter Lang, 2015
- "Walden Media partners with HarperCollins". Los Angeles Times. 2008-05-13. Retrieved 2019-08-22.
- https://www.walden.com/about/
- "Our Company". Walden Media. Archived from the original on February 20, 2007. Retrieved February 1, 2007.
- Deahl, Rachel. "Walden Media Works to Make Moviegoers Readers". Publishers Weekly, 16 January 2006.
- Toomey, Shamus. "I've Never Broken a World Record". Chicago Sun-Times, 14 December 2006.
- Springen, Karen. "Walden Media Moves into Future". Publishers Weekly, 19 February 2009.
- "The Star - Official Site - Sony Pictures".
- "Dylan O'Brien's 'Monster Problems,' 'Clifford' Backed by Paramount, eOne". Variety. 20 June 2019. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
- Fleming, Jr., Mike (June 30, 2016). "'Clifford The Big Red Dog' Movie Unleashed At Paramount With Scribe Justin Malen". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 6, 2016.
- "7 Days of Deals", The Hollywood Reporter, 27 September 2017, page 30.
- N'Duka, Amanda (May 29, 2018). "Reel FX Rehires Jared Mass As Company Aims To Ramp Up Original Content Slate". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 24, 2018.
- McClintock, Pamela (27 February 2019). "'Clifford the Big Red Dog' Movie Lands November 2020 Release Date". Variety. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
- Dave Mcnary. "Paramount Grows Its Animation Slate With 'Monster on the Hill,'". Retrieved April 25, 2018.
- Giardina, Carolyn (June 12, 2019). "'Spice Girls' Movie in the Works as Paramount Unveils Animation Slate (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 12, 2019.
- Ritman, Alex (November 29, 2018). "Teacher Tale 'Ms. Bixby's Last Day' in the Works as Movie". Variety. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
- Busch, Anita (March 13, 2018). "Lionsgate Options 'Girl Guides' Book For Producer Marc Platt & Walden Media; Screenwriter Hired To Adapt". Retrieved May 9, 2018.
- Mcnary, Dave (March 15, 2018). "Amma Asante to Direct 'Billion Dollar Spy' Film Adaptation". Retrieved May 9, 2018.