With a mission wholly unique at the time, make money while inspiring social change through entertainment, Participant Media managed to rewrite the rules of Hollywood during its all too short 20-year run. The studio singlehandedly proved to the world that you can produce unbelievably great films that have an impact, and audiences will go see them. Most studios and filmmakers working today owe a debt of gratitude to Jeff Skoll and his team of visionaries. That’s why the announcement that the studio will be shutting its doors felt like a gut punch, especially at a time when Hollywood is feeling a bit limp and lifeless.
Amidst the backdrop of faltering democracies, news and information channels that appear polarized, a marathon pandemic, and the proliferation of streaming, entertainment media still stands king as a unifier, capable of bringing together broad swathes of audiences. So, while Participant’s award-winning documentary “He...
Amidst the backdrop of faltering democracies, news and information channels that appear polarized, a marathon pandemic, and the proliferation of streaming, entertainment media still stands king as a unifier, capable of bringing together broad swathes of audiences. So, while Participant’s award-winning documentary “He...
- 5/16/2024
- by Scott Budnick
- Indiewire
Exclusive: Former Fifth Season film head Alexis Garcia has launched CAT5, an action film label that will be backed by his former employers, who are among other investors and partners to be announced at later date. As one of its first projects, CAT5 has signed on to co-finance Black Bear’s Levon’s Trade. The film is in production, with David Ayer-directing the Jason Statham vehicle that was adapted from the Chuck Dixon novel by Sylvester Stallone, with revisions by Ayer. Garcia joins as an executive producer. The film is in production in London and slated for wide theatrical release in the U.S. by Amazon MGM Studios on January 17, 2025.
Garcia spent seven years with Fifth Season and Graham Taylor and Chris Rice, helping build it from its 2017 launch as Endeavor Content. Before that he spent a decade at Endeavor/WME under Ari Emanuel and Patrick Whitesell, where he...
Garcia spent seven years with Fifth Season and Graham Taylor and Chris Rice, helping build it from its 2017 launch as Endeavor Content. Before that he spent a decade at Endeavor/WME under Ari Emanuel and Patrick Whitesell, where he...
- 5/2/2024
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Fifth Season has promoted Christopher Slager to head of film as it expands in-house production and development and announced that Alexis Garcia is leaving to set up his own venture with backing from the company.
Slager, who has been at Fifth Season for some time, previously served as a partner and SVP of film finance and sales at Endeavor Content, and before that worked at WME.
Prior to that he was at Focus Features. Credits include The Florida Project, Mudbound, The Banker, The Peanut Butter Falcon, Pig, and the Book Club franchise.
Slager will take charge of the film studio...
Slager, who has been at Fifth Season for some time, previously served as a partner and SVP of film finance and sales at Endeavor Content, and before that worked at WME.
Prior to that he was at Focus Features. Credits include The Florida Project, Mudbound, The Banker, The Peanut Butter Falcon, Pig, and the Book Club franchise.
Slager will take charge of the film studio...
- 3/27/2024
- ScreenDaily
Fifth Season has upped Christopher Slager to Head of Film as the studio expands its in-house production and development of feature films.
Slager will oversee the studio’s anticipated productions including Netflix/Artists Equity’s Animals, starring Matt Damon and directed by Ben Affleck, as well as the Samuel L. Jackson and Joel Kinnaman movie The Beast directed by Emmy winner James Madigan.
Alexis Garcia, who previously managed features, will launch a new venture with backing from Fifth Season, details to be announced down the road. Garcia will remain a consultant to the studio during his transition.
Among those titles on the horizon for Fifth Season under Slager’s watch are Stephen Chbosky’s Nonnas, starring Vince Vaughn, Susan Sarandon, and Linda Cardellini; Jan Komasa’s Anniversary, starring Diane Lane, Kyle Chandler, Dylan O’Brien, Zoey Deutch, Phoebe Dynevor, Madeline Brewer, Mckenna Grace, and Daryl McCormack; Nick Rowland’s She Rides Shotgun,...
Slager will oversee the studio’s anticipated productions including Netflix/Artists Equity’s Animals, starring Matt Damon and directed by Ben Affleck, as well as the Samuel L. Jackson and Joel Kinnaman movie The Beast directed by Emmy winner James Madigan.
Alexis Garcia, who previously managed features, will launch a new venture with backing from Fifth Season, details to be announced down the road. Garcia will remain a consultant to the studio during his transition.
Among those titles on the horizon for Fifth Season under Slager’s watch are Stephen Chbosky’s Nonnas, starring Vince Vaughn, Susan Sarandon, and Linda Cardellini; Jan Komasa’s Anniversary, starring Diane Lane, Kyle Chandler, Dylan O’Brien, Zoey Deutch, Phoebe Dynevor, Madeline Brewer, Mckenna Grace, and Daryl McCormack; Nick Rowland’s She Rides Shotgun,...
- 3/27/2024
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Jim Rash is set to direct his script Miss You, Love You, a drama that will star Allison Janney and Andrew Rannells. Madison Wells, The Walsh Company and Nat Faxon will produce a film that will begin production next month in New Mexico. Gigi Pritzker, Kevin Walsh are producing with Rash.
In the film, Janney will play a woman whose husband has passed away. With a funeral to plan and grieving to be done, she reaches out to her estranged son. He refuses to come home, choosing instead to send his personal assistant to help make the arrangements. The widow is forced to process her grief in the presence of a complete stranger.
Oscar-winner Janney reunites with Faxon and Rash, Pritzker and Walsh after they teamed on The Way Way Back, the 2013 comedy that set a record at Sundance in 2013 with domestic and international sales deals totaling nearly $12M...
In the film, Janney will play a woman whose husband has passed away. With a funeral to plan and grieving to be done, she reaches out to her estranged son. He refuses to come home, choosing instead to send his personal assistant to help make the arrangements. The widow is forced to process her grief in the presence of a complete stranger.
Oscar-winner Janney reunites with Faxon and Rash, Pritzker and Walsh after they teamed on The Way Way Back, the 2013 comedy that set a record at Sundance in 2013 with domestic and international sales deals totaling nearly $12M...
- 1/18/2024
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Cj Enm remains majority stakeholder and endeavor a strategic shareholder.
Fifth Season, the producer and financier formerly known as Endeavor Content, has secured a $225m from strategic investment from Toho International.
The US subsidiary of Toho Co, which just released Godzilla Minus One which has grossed $25.6m after two weekends, owns a 25% equity stake in the company.
Cj Enm remains majority stakeholder and Endeavor Group Holdings continues as strategic shareholder.
Cj Enm and Fifth Season will work with Toho to produce global film and TV and participate in content produced in Japan, while Toho’s development and production executives will team with Fifth Season.
Fifth Season, the producer and financier formerly known as Endeavor Content, has secured a $225m from strategic investment from Toho International.
The US subsidiary of Toho Co, which just released Godzilla Minus One which has grossed $25.6m after two weekends, owns a 25% equity stake in the company.
Cj Enm remains majority stakeholder and Endeavor Group Holdings continues as strategic shareholder.
Cj Enm and Fifth Season will work with Toho to produce global film and TV and participate in content produced in Japan, while Toho’s development and production executives will team with Fifth Season.
- 12/12/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
South Korea’s Cj Enm retains majority ownership of the US company.
Japanese studio Toho has secured a 25% stake in Fifth Season, the US production and distribution company behind Severance and Tokyo Vice.
The $225m investment was made through Toho International, the US subsidiary of the studio behind current box office hit Godzilla Minus One, and South Korea’s Cj Enm will retain a majority stake in Fifth Season. Cj Enm paid $875m for an 80% holding in Fifth Season, formerly known as Endeavor Content, in January 2022. Endeavor Group Holdings remains a strategic shareholder.
The investment will see Toho, Fifth Season...
Japanese studio Toho has secured a 25% stake in Fifth Season, the US production and distribution company behind Severance and Tokyo Vice.
The $225m investment was made through Toho International, the US subsidiary of the studio behind current box office hit Godzilla Minus One, and South Korea’s Cj Enm will retain a majority stake in Fifth Season. Cj Enm paid $875m for an 80% holding in Fifth Season, formerly known as Endeavor Content, in January 2022. Endeavor Group Holdings remains a strategic shareholder.
The investment will see Toho, Fifth Season...
- 12/11/2023
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
South Korea’s Cj Enm retains majority ownership of the US company.
Japanese studio Toho has secured a 25% stake in Fifth Season, the US production and distribution company behind Severance and Tokyo Vice.
The $225m investment was made through Toho International, the US subsidiary of the studio behind current box office hit Godzilla Minus One, and South Korea’s Cj Enm will retain a majority stake in Fifth Season. Cj Enm paid $875m for an 80% holding in Fifth Season, formerly known as Endeavor Content, in January 2022. Endeavor Group Holdings remains a strategic shareholder.
The investment will see Toho, Fifth Season...
Japanese studio Toho has secured a 25% stake in Fifth Season, the US production and distribution company behind Severance and Tokyo Vice.
The $225m investment was made through Toho International, the US subsidiary of the studio behind current box office hit Godzilla Minus One, and South Korea’s Cj Enm will retain a majority stake in Fifth Season. Cj Enm paid $875m for an 80% holding in Fifth Season, formerly known as Endeavor Content, in January 2022. Endeavor Group Holdings remains a strategic shareholder.
The investment will see Toho, Fifth Season...
- 12/11/2023
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Japanese studio Toho has taken a $225 million stake in Fifth Season, the U.S.-based independent studio known for producing Apple TV+’s hit series Severance and Max’s Tokyo Vice. The new partners unveiled the deal Monday, saying it will allow Fifth Season to “continue expanding its broad slate of premium content.” Korean entertainment giant Cj Enm will retain majority ownership in Fifth Season, while Toho becomes a 25 percent owner and Endeavor Group Holdings continues as a strategic shareholder.
The deal was unveiled by Fifth Season Co-CEOs Graham Taylor and Chris Rice and Toho President Hiro Matsuoka, who said the agreement will create new opportunities for collaboration between Cj Enm, Fifth Season and Toho, while “bolster[ing] the growth of Fifth Season as a major global studio encompassing East and West cultures.” The new partners will further collaborate on both global content and new titles produced in Japan, while “creative...
The deal was unveiled by Fifth Season Co-CEOs Graham Taylor and Chris Rice and Toho President Hiro Matsuoka, who said the agreement will create new opportunities for collaboration between Cj Enm, Fifth Season and Toho, while “bolster[ing] the growth of Fifth Season as a major global studio encompassing East and West cultures.” The new partners will further collaborate on both global content and new titles produced in Japan, while “creative...
- 12/11/2023
- by Patrick Brzeski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Japanese studio Toho, producer of current box office hit Godzilla Minus One, is paying $225M to acquire a 25% stake in producer-distributor Fifth Season. The investment is being made through Toho’s U.S. subsidiary, Toho International.
Korea’s Cj Enm remains the majority shareholder in Fifth Season, following an acquisition of 80% of shares made last year, while Endeavor Group Holdings continues as a strategic shareholder. Following completion of the deal, Fifth Season will have a valuation of $900M.
Fifth Season declined to comment when asked about the new share of the company’s shareholdings following the transaction. However, it is understood the deal results in a dilution for the current shareholders.
Fifth Season Co-CEOs Graham Taylor and Chris Rice said the investment would empower the company to continue expanding its slate of premium content, as well as create opportunities for collaboration between Fifth Season, Toho and Cj Enm.
More specifically,...
Korea’s Cj Enm remains the majority shareholder in Fifth Season, following an acquisition of 80% of shares made last year, while Endeavor Group Holdings continues as a strategic shareholder. Following completion of the deal, Fifth Season will have a valuation of $900M.
Fifth Season declined to comment when asked about the new share of the company’s shareholdings following the transaction. However, it is understood the deal results in a dilution for the current shareholders.
Fifth Season Co-CEOs Graham Taylor and Chris Rice said the investment would empower the company to continue expanding its slate of premium content, as well as create opportunities for collaboration between Fifth Season, Toho and Cj Enm.
More specifically,...
- 12/11/2023
- by Liz Shackleton
- Deadline Film + TV
Joe Manganiello is moving into unscripted.
The True Blood star is to host Deal or No Deal Island, the new spinoff of the classic entertainment format.
The NBC series will see 13 players transported to the elusive Banker’s private island to compete for cash.
Howie Mandel, who serves as an exec producer of the new series, previously hosted the show, which is based on Banijay’s Dutch format. It previously ran on NBC from 2005 and 2009. It returned with host Howie Mandel for a holiday special in 2018 and then ran original episodes on CNBC.
Related: 2023 Premiere Dates For New & Returning Series On Broadcast, Cable & Streaming
It is produced by Endemol Shine North America with exec producers Matt Kunitz, Matt Apps, Sarah Happel Jackson, Sharon Levy, DJ Nurre, Viki Cacciatore, Sean Loughlin and Mandel.
Manganiello’s next film role is in The Kill Room with Uma Thurman and Samuel L. Jackson, which...
The True Blood star is to host Deal or No Deal Island, the new spinoff of the classic entertainment format.
The NBC series will see 13 players transported to the elusive Banker’s private island to compete for cash.
Howie Mandel, who serves as an exec producer of the new series, previously hosted the show, which is based on Banijay’s Dutch format. It previously ran on NBC from 2005 and 2009. It returned with host Howie Mandel for a holiday special in 2018 and then ran original episodes on CNBC.
Related: 2023 Premiere Dates For New & Returning Series On Broadcast, Cable & Streaming
It is produced by Endemol Shine North America with exec producers Matt Kunitz, Matt Apps, Sarah Happel Jackson, Sharon Levy, DJ Nurre, Viki Cacciatore, Sean Loughlin and Mandel.
Manganiello’s next film role is in The Kill Room with Uma Thurman and Samuel L. Jackson, which...
- 9/27/2023
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Drea de Matteo has joined OnlyFans. The “Sopranos” star announced her debut on the platform earlier this week by sharing a photo of herself wearing only a pair of boots. Her bio includes a reference to the series, though she jokingly wrote/avoided copyright infringement by writing, “The Sopornos.” De Matteo starred in the first five seasons of the series.
The actress made a joke about joining OnlyFans in September 2022 when she shared a video to Instagram and captioned it, “BDB3 Only Fans page coming soon jk On my back cuz @uvways hid my cherry red walker .”
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Drea De Matteo (@dreadematteo)
De Matteo hasn’t elaborated on her decision to join the website. In a 2021 interview with NME, she admitted that she should have “maximized” on her “Sopranos” role more.
To illustrate that point, de Matteo explained that she wasn’t...
The actress made a joke about joining OnlyFans in September 2022 when she shared a video to Instagram and captioned it, “BDB3 Only Fans page coming soon jk On my back cuz @uvways hid my cherry red walker .”
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Drea De Matteo (@dreadematteo)
De Matteo hasn’t elaborated on her decision to join the website. In a 2021 interview with NME, she admitted that she should have “maximized” on her “Sopranos” role more.
To illustrate that point, de Matteo explained that she wasn’t...
- 8/28/2023
- by Stephanie Kaloi
- The Wrap
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