Republic Records Pacts With Film/TV Studio IM Global For New Feature

Lipman, Ford And Schulhof

REPUBLIC RECORDS and leading independent film and television studio IM GLOBAL, a subsidiary of INDIAN business conglomerate RELIANCE ADA, have partnered in a multiple picture co-financing and co-production arrangement, announced by REPUBLIC RECORDS Founder/CEO MONTE LIPMAN and IM GLOBAL Founder/CEO STUART FORD.

In a pact brokered by IM GLOBAL MUSIC Pres. DAVID SCHULHOF, the companies will together produce music-driven feature film titles that will be supported in the marketplace by soundtracks, music videos and social media.

The first feature under the deal will be "Rollin' Thunder," to be directed by BILLE WOODRUFF ("Honey," "Beauty Shop", "Addicted") and produced by SCHULHOF, LIPMAN, IM GLOBAL's MATT JACKSON and co-produced by hip-hop artist NELLY and actor/host/comedian NICK CANNON. The picture is an urban comedy about a bowling champ-turned ex-con who sees in a tournament a chance to get back in the game, prove his innocence to the tycoon who owns ATLANTA's biggest bowling alley, and mend his relationship with his estranged teenage daughter. Set in hip-hop hub ATLANTA, "Rollin' Thunder" will have a major musical component and is scheduled to go into production this summer.

“The evolution of REPUBLIC’s recent success has led us into this partnership with one of HOLLYWOOD's most prolific companies, IM GLOBAL," LIPMAN said. "We have found incredible partners in STUART and DAVID, and collectively look forward to establishing a new paradigm for our respective businesses. With NELLY’s inspired ‘Rollin’ Thunder’ as our first project, I couldn’t be more excited about launching this venture together.”

"It's a thrill and a privilege to kick off this venture with a music industry powerhouse like REPUBLIC," FORD said. "Our two companies share a similar entrepreneurial spirit and culture of creative risk-taking and I'm sure we will make some highly commercial movies together."

"This strategic partnership brings together exceptional talents in film and exceptional talents in music to create a unique and exciting platform," SCHULHOF said. "We look forward to working with REPUBLIC and all of their talented artists to develop, create and distribute some very exciting films."

The deal was negotiated by MICHAEL SELTZER, STEVE GAWLEY and ROGER ARAR on behalf of REPUBLIC and by SCHULHOF, IM GLOBAL COO CHRIS BOSCO and Head of Business Affairs DEBORAH ZIPSER on behalf of IM GLOBAL. Dir. WOODRUFF is represented by ICM PARTNERS, GREENLIGHT MANAGEMENT and attorney, PETER NICHOLS.

« see more Net News