Working Title Films Limited
Formerly
  • Visionensure Limited (Oct–Dec 1992)
  • Working Title Limited (1992–1995)
TypeSubsidiary
IndustryFilm production
Founded1983 (1983)
Founders
Headquarters
London
,
England
Number of locations
Key people
ParentUniversal Pictures
Divisions
  • WT2 Productions
  • Working Title Television
Websiteworkingtitlefilms.com
Footnotes / references
[1]

Working Title Films Limited[1] is a British film studio that produces motion pictures and television programs and is a subsidiary of Universal Pictures, a division of NBCUniversal, which is itself a division of Comcast. The company was founded by Tim Bevan and Sarah Radclyffe in 1983. Bevan and Eric Fellner are now the co-chairmen of the company.

Company history

Bevan and Radclyffe were partners in pop music promotional company, Aldabra, and set up Working Title Films in London in 1983 where they were commissioned by newly created UK broadcaster, Channel 4, to make a television film, My Beautiful Laundrette (1985), directed by Stephen Frears. My Beautiful Launderette was a success at the Edinburgh Film Festival and received a theatrical release, where it was successful internationally. Accountant Graham Bradstreet joined as a third partner in 1986.[2]

A World Apart was entered in competition at the 1988 Cannes Film Festival and won the Special Grand Prize of the Jury. The Tall Guy (1988) saw the feature film debut of screenwriter Richard Curtis and director Mel Smith.[2]

In 1988, Michael Kuhn of PolyGram started to work with the company and in 1989 PolyGram acquired 49% of the company and they jointly launched Manifesto Film Sales.[3] Manifesto's first third-party pick up for distribution was the Coen brothers' Barton Fink (1991).[4] Bradstreet left the company in 1990 and Radclyffe a year later, with Eric Fellner, a fellow independent film producer, joining the company in 1991.[5][3][2] The same year, Kuhn set up PolyGram Filmed Entertainment which acquired 100% of Working Title in 1992.[3][2] The company produced a variety of films for PolyGram Filmed Entertainment which became a major Hollywood competitor.

Paul Webster set up an office in Los Angeles in 1991 and producer Liza Chasin was appointed as president of production.[6] Webster produced the company's first American films, Rubin & Ed and Drop Dead Fred. Working Title also made Tim Robbins' directorial debut, Bob Roberts (1992).[2]

Gramercy Pictures began distributing the company's films in the United States, starting with Posse (1993). In 1994, the company's Four Weddings and a Funeral, written by Curtis, became the highest-grossing British film of all-time with a gross of $245 million.[3][2] They also made the Coen brothers' The Hudsucker Proxy (1994). In 1996, Robbins' Dead Man Walking was the company's first film to win an Academy Award, with Susan Sarandon winning the Academy Award for Best Actress. The Coen brothers' Fargo (1996) won two Academy Awards the following year. The company had another major success with Bean (1997) directed by Smith and co-written by Curtis, grossing $251 million.[2]

In 1998, PolyGram was sold to the Seagram company and merged with MCA Music Entertainment, to form Universal Music Group. PolyGram Films was folded into Universal Pictures. In 1999, Seagram sold the bulk of its library of PolyGram films released up until 31 March 1996 to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. 1999 also saw the company's highest-grossing film to date with Notting Hill, again written by Curtis, with a gross of $364 million.

Although contractually allowed to produce any film with a budget of up to $35 million, on a practical basis, Bevan and Fellner consult with studio executives at Working Title's parent company NBCUniversal.[7] Working Title company renewed its first look deal with Universal Pictures in 2020.[8]

WT2 Productions

In 1999, Bevan and Fellner launched a subsidiary company named Working Title 2 Productions, commonly known as WT2. The company is an independent film production arm run by Natascha Wharton, and has produced films that include Billy Elliot, Shaun of the Dead and The Calcium Kid.[5]

Television division

Working Title has been active in television production since the beginning of the 1990s.[9] In February 2010, Working Title officially launched its television division as a joint venture with parent company NBCUniversal, itself owned by Comcast.[10] Since then, they have produced content for both British and American television.[11][12] Notable productions and co productions developed by Working Title Television (WTTV)[13] include NBC's About a Boy, and Showtime's The Tudors.[9]

WTTV has offices in London and Los Angeles.[14][15]

TV productions

Title Years Co-production Network Notes
The Borrowers1992BBC Two
Tales of the City1993Propaganda FilmsChannel Four
The Baldy Man1995–1998Central Independent TelevisionITV
Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased)2000–2001BBC One
The Tudors2007–2010Reveville Erie
Octagon Entertainment
Peace Arch Entertainment
Showtime Networks		BBC Two
CBC Television
Showtime
TV3
Love Bites2011Loud Blouse Productions
Universal Television		NBC
Yonderland2013–2016 Sky 1
About a Boy2014–2015True Jack Productions
TriBeCa Productions
Universal Television		NBC
You, Me and the Apocalypse2015BigBalls Films
British Sky Broadcasting
NBCUniversal International Studios		Sky 1
NBC
London SpyNBCUniversal International Studios
BBC America		BBC Two
Gypsy2017Rhythm Arts Entertainment
Pen and Paper Industries
Universal Television		Netflix
Hanna2019–2021Amazon Studios
Tomorrow Studios
Focus Features
NBCUniversal International Studios		Amazon Prime Video
The Case Against Adnan Syed2019Instinct Productions
Disarming Films
HBO Documentary Films
NBCUniversal International Studios		HBO
Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City2019Sweatpants Productions
Universal Television
NBCUniversal International Studios		Netflix
The Luminaries2020Southern Light Films
TVNZ
Fremantle
Silver Reel		TVNZ
BBC One
We Are Lady Parts2021–presentChannel 4
Everything I Know About Love2022–presentBBC One

1991 ITV franchise bid

In 1991, Working Title was involved in a bid for the London Weekend ITV licence. Working Title, Mentorn, Palace and PolyGram wanted to take over from London Weekend Television and broadcast to London under the name London Independent Broadcasting. In the event LWT retained its licence; London Independent Broadcasting's proposals were deemed by the Independent Television Commission, which was overseeing the bid process, to fail the quality threshold.[16]

Films

1980s

Release date Title Notes
15 November 1985My Beautiful Laundrettewith Channel Four Films
24 July 1987Wish You Were Herewith Channel Four Films
30 October 1987Sammy and Rosie Get Laidwith Channel Four Films
17 June 1988A World Apart
10 September 1988Paperhousewith Vestron Pictures
13 April 1989The Tall Guywith London Weekend Television
19 May 1989For Queen and Country
14 November 1989Diamond Skulls

1990s

Release date Title Notes
22 June 1990Fools of Fortunewith PolyGram Filmed Entertainment and Channel Four Films
27 July 1990Chicago Joe and the Showgirlwith PolyGram Filmed Entertainment and New Line Cinema
13 May 1991Robin Hood
24 May 1991Drop Dead Fredwith PolyGram Filmed Entertainment and New Line Cinema
21 August 1991Barton Finkwith PolyGram Filmed Entertainment and 20th Century Fox
18 October 1991Edward II
13 December 1991London Kills Mewith PolyGram Filmed Entertainment and Fine Line Features
15 May 1992Rubin & Edwith PolyGram Filmed Entertainment
17 July 1992Dakota Roadwith Channel Four Films, British Screen Productions and Mayfair Entertainment
4 September 1992Bob Robertswith PolyGram Filmed Entertainment, Paramount Pictures, Miramax Films and LIVE Entertainment
23 April 1993Map of the Human Heartwith PolyGram Filmed Entertainment and Miramax Films
14 May 1993Possewith PolyGram Filmed Entertainment and Gramercy Pictures
8 October 1993The Young Americanswith PolyGram Filmed Entertainment and Live Entertainment
4 February 1994Romeo Is Bleedingwith PolyGram Filmed Entertainment and Gramercy Pictures
9 March 1994Four Weddings and a Funeralwith PolyGram Filmed Entertainment, Channel Four Films and Gramercy Pictures
11 March 1994The Hudsucker Proxywith PolyGram Filmed Entertainment, Warner Bros. and Silver Pictures
3 May 1995Pantherwith PolyGram Filmed Entertainment and Gramercy Pictures
5 May 1995French Kisswith PolyGram Filmed Entertainment and 20th Century Fox
29 September 1995Moonlight and Valentinowith PolyGram Filmed Entertainment and Gramercy Pictures
29 December 1995Dead Man Walkingwith PolyGram Filmed Entertainment and Gramercy Pictures
8 March 1996Fargowith PolyGram Filmed Entertainment and Gramercy Pictures
22 March 1996Land and Freedomwith PolyGram Filmed Entertainment and Gramercy Pictures
20 September 1996Loch Nesswith PolyGram Filmed Entertainment and Gramercy Pictures
7 March 1997The Eighth Daywith PolyGram Filmed Entertainment and Gramercy Pictures
2 August 1997Beanwith PolyGram Filmed Entertainment, Tiger Aspect Films and Gramercy Pictures
3 October 1997The Matchmakerwith PolyGram Filmed Entertainment and Gramercy Pictures
5 December 1997The Borrowerswith PolyGram Filmed Entertainment and Gramercy Pictures
6 March 1998The Big Lebowskiwith PolyGram Filmed Entertainment and Gramercy Pictures
22 November 1998Elizabethwith PolyGram Filmed Entertainment, StudioCanal, Channel Four Films and Gramercy Pictures
29 January 1999The Hi-Lo Countrywith PolyGram Filmed Entertainment and Gramercy Pictures
28 May 1999Notting Hillwith PolyGram Filmed Entertainment, StudioCanal and Universal Pictures
1 October 1999Plunkett & Macleanewith StudioCanal, PolyGram Filmed Entertainment and Gramercy Pictures

2000s

Release date Title Notes
31 March 2000High Fidelitywith Touchstone Pictures
13 October 2000Billy Elliotwith BBC Films, Tiger Aspect Productions, StudioCanal and Universal Focus
2 December 2000O Brother, Where Art Thou?with Touchstone Pictures, Universal Pictures and StudioCanal
13 April 2001Bridget Jones's Diarywith Universal Pictures, StudioCanal and Miramax Films
17 August 2001Captain Corelli's Mandolinwith Universal Pictures, StudioCanal and Miramax Films
2 November 2001The Man Who Wasn't Therewith USA Films, Gramercy Pictures and Good Machine
1 March 200240 Days and 40 Nightswith Universal Pictures, StudioCanal and Miramax Films
22 March 2002Ali G Indahousewith Universal Pictures and StudioCanal
17 May 2002About a Boywith Universal Pictures, StudioCanal and TriBeCa Productions
18 July 2003Johnny Englishwith Universal Pictures and StudioCanal
22 August 2003Thirteenwith Fox Searchlight Pictures, Universal Pictures and Antidote Films
28 October 2003Long Time Deadwith Universal Pictures and Focus Features
14 November 2003Love Actuallywith Universal Pictures, StudioCanal and DNA Films
26 March 2004Ned Kellywith Focus Features and StudioCanal
30 July 2004Thunderbirdswith StudioCanal and Universal Pictures
17 September 2004Wimbledonwith Universal Pictures and StudioCanal
24 September 2004Shaun of the Deadwith Universal Pictures, StudioCanal and Rogue Pictures
19 November 2004Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reasonwith Universal Pictures, StudioCanal and Miramax Films
4 February 2005Rory O'Shea Was Herewith Focus Features and StudioCanal
22 April 2005The Interpreterwith Universal Pictures and StudioCanal
23 November 2005Pride & Prejudicewith Focus Features and StudioCanal
27 January 2006Nanny McPheewith Universal Pictures, StudioCanal and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
28 April 2006United 93with Universal Pictures and StudioCanal
27 October 2006Catch a Firewith Focus Features and StudioCanal
26 January 2007Smokin' Aceswith Universal Pictures and StudioCanal
14 February 2007Hot Fuzzwith Universal Pictures, StudioCanal and Rogue Pictures
24 March 2007Mr. Bean's Holidaywith Universal Pictures, StudioCanal and Tiger Aspect Films
12 October 2007Elizabeth: The Golden Agewith Universal Pictures and StudioCanal
4 January 2008Atonementwith Focus Features and StudioCanal
14 February 2008Definitely, Maybewith Universal Pictures and StudioCanal
12 September 2008Burn After Readingwith Focus Features, Relativity Media and StudioCanal
5 December 2008Frost/Nixonwith Universal Pictures, Imagine Entertainment and StudioCanal
17 April 2009State of Playwith Universal Pictures and StudioCanal
24 April 2009The Soloist[17]with DreamWorks Pictures, Universal Pictures, Participant Media, StudioCanal and Krasnoff/Foster Entertainment[18]
2 October 2009A Serious Manwith Focus Features, Relativity Media and StudioCanal
13 November 2009The Boat That Rockedwith Universal Pictures and StudioCanal

2010s

Release date Title Notes
12 March 2010Green Zonewith Universal Pictures and StudioCanal
2 April 2010Nanny McPhee and the Big Bangwith StudioCanal
18 March 2011Paulwith Universal Pictures and StudioCanal
12 August 2011Sennawith Universal Pictures and StudioCanal
21 October 2011Johnny English Rebornwith Universal Pictures and StudioCanal
9 December 2011Tinker Tailor Soldier Spywith Focus Features and StudioCanal
13 January 2012Contrabandwith Universal Pictures
3 February 2012Big Miraclewith Universal Pictures and Anonymous Content
16 November 2012Anna Kareninawith Focus Features
25 December 2012Les Misérableswith Universal Pictures, Relativity Media and Cameron Mackintosh, Ltd.
8 February 2013I Give It a Yearwith StudioCanal
19 July 2013The World's Endwith Universal Pictures, Focus Features, and Relativity Media
28 August 2013Closed Circuitwith Focus Features
4 September 2013About Timewith Universal Pictures and StudioCanal
27 September 2013Rushwith Universal Pictures, Imagine Entertainment, Exclusive Media, Cross Creek Pictures and Revolution Films
9 October 2014Trashwith StudioCanal, O2 Filmes and PeaPie Films
1 January 2015The Theory of Everythingwith Focus Features
28 August 2015We Are Your Friendswith Warner Bros. Pictures, StudioCanal and RatPac Entertainment
9 September 2015Legendwith Universal Pictures, StudioCanal, Cross Creek Pictures and Anton Capital Entertainment
18 September 2015Everestwith Universal Pictures, Walden Media and Cross Creek Pictures
14 October 2015The Programwith StudioCanal
27 November 2015The Danish Girlwith Pretty Pictures, Revision Pictures, Senator Global Productions, Universal Pictures International and Focus Features
5 February 2016Hail, Caesar!with Universal Pictures and Mike Zoss Productions
11 March 2016The Brothers Grimsbywith Columbia Pictures, Village Roadshow Pictures Big Talk Productions and Four by Two Productions
16 September 2016Bridget Jones's Baby[19]with StudioCanal, Miramax and Universal Pictures
30 June 2017Baby Driverwith Big Talk Productions, TriStar Pictures and Media Rights Capital
15 September 2017Victoria and Abdulwith BBC Films, Focus Features and Universal Pictures
13 October 2017The Snowmanwith Universal Pictures, Perfect World Pictures and Another Park Film
12 January 2018Darkest Hourwith Universal Pictures, Focus Features and Perfect World Pictures
16 March 20187 Days in Entebbewith Participant Media and Focus Features
26 October 2018Johnny English Strikes Againwith StudioCanal, Perfect World Pictures and Universal Pictures
7 December 2018Mary Queen of Scotswith Perfect World Pictures and Focus Features
25 January 2019The Kid Who Would Be Kingwith Big Talk Productions, TSG Entertainment and 20th Century Fox
28 June 2019Yesterdaywith Universal Pictures, Perfect World Pictures and Decibel Films
20 December 2019Catswith Universal Pictures, Amblin Entertainment, Monumental Pictures and Really Useful Group

2020s

Release date Title Notes
14 February 2020Emma.with Focus Features, Blueprint Pictures and Perfect World Pictures
29 May 2020The High Notewith Focus Features and Perfect World Pictures
24 July 2020Radioactivewith StudioCanal and Amazon Studios
21 October 2020Rebeccawith Netflix and Big Talk Productions
29 October 2021Last Night in Sohowith Focus Features, Film4 Productions and Complete Fiction
25 February 2022Cyranowith Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Bron Creative
23 September 2022Catherine Called Birdywith Amazon Studios and Good Thing Going[20]
21 October 2022 Ticket to Paradise with Universal Pictures, Red Om Films, and Smokehouse Pictures[21]
11 November 2022The Swimmerswith Netflix[22]
9 December 2022Matilda the Musicalwith Netflix, TriStar Pictures and the Roald Dahl Story Company[23]
24 February 2023What's Love Got to Do with It?with StudioCanal and Instinct Productions[24]
8 April 2023Polite Societywith Focus Features and Parkville Pictures[25]
22 November 2023 Geniewith Peacock, Universal Pictures, and Linden Productions[26][27]

Upcoming

Release Date Title Notes
23 February 2024 Drive-Away Dollswith Focus Features[28]

In development

Title Notes
Blitz with Apple TV+, Regency Enterprises, New Regency and Lammas Park[29]
Falling with Universal Pictures[30]
In Five Years with New Line Cinema and Max[31]
Relax with Independent Entertainment[32]
The Substance with Universal Pictures[33]
Unreasonable Behaviourwith Hardy Son & Baker[34]
Untitled Anna May Wong biopicwith Significant Productions[35]
Untitled Baby Driver sequelwith TriStar Pictures, MRC, and Big Talk Productions[36][37][38]

References

  1. 1 2 "WORKING TITLE FILMS LIMITED overview - Find and update company information - GOV.UK". Companies House. 14 October 1992. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "WT milestones". Variety. 14 December 1998. p. 106.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Dawtrey, Adam (14 December 1998). "The billion-dollar indie". Variety. p. 99.
  4. ↑ Barton Fink at the American Film Institute Catalog
  5. 1 2 Higgins, Charlotte (16 April 2005). "Interview: Eric Fellner and Tim Bevan, co-chairmen Working Title Films". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  6. ↑ Carver, Benedict (14 December 1998). "'Weddings' opened door to H'wd". Variety. p. 106.
  7. ↑ "Working Title – Skillset". The Guardian.
  8. ↑ Kay, Jeremy (11 December 2020). "Universal, Working Title renew first-look deal through 2025". Screen. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
  9. 1 2 "Working Title Television [gb]". IMDb. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  10. ↑ Laughlin, Andrew (17 February 2010). "Working Title launches TV division". Digital Spy. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  11. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (16 November 2011). "Working Title Television Sells 6 Projects". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  12. ↑ Leo Barraclough (23 January 2014). "Working Title Television Produces 'The Secrets' for BBC". Variety.
  13. ↑ "About WTTV". workingtitlefilms.com. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  14. ↑ Prudom, Laura (17 October 2014). "BBC America Co-Producing 'London Spy' Miniseries with Ben Whishaw, Jim Broadbent". Variety. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  15. ↑ "Liza Chasin". Variety. 22 September 2013. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  16. ↑ Davidson, Andrew, Under the Hammer: The ITV Franchise Battle, William Heinemann Ltd., p. 297.
  17. ↑ "The Soloist".
  18. ↑ https://cinemastudies.sas.upenn.edu/events/2010/October/RussKrasnoffProducer
  19. ↑ Stuart Kemp, Matthew Belloni (3 February 2012). "'Bridget Jones 3' Producer Admits Delay, Vows to Shoot Film in 2012". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  20. ↑ Goldberg, Lesley (21 August 2019). "Lena Dunham Launches New Production Company". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
  21. ↑ Fleming, Mike Jr. (26 February 2021). "George Clooney & Julia Roberts Re-Team In 'Ticket To Paradise;' Ol Parker Directs For Universal, Working Title". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  22. ↑ Roxborough, Scott (20 April 2021). "Real-life Sisters Cast to Star in Netflix/Working Title Drama 'The Swimmers'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
  23. ↑ Wood, Alex (17 January 2020). "New Matilda film confirmed – expected to start shooting later this year". WhatsOnStage. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  24. ↑ Wiseman, Andreas (2 November 2020). "Lily James, Shazad Latif & Emma Thompson To Star In Working Title Rom-Com 'What's Love Got To Do With It?' From Jemima Khan & Shekhar Kapur; Studiocanal Launches Sales — AFM Hot Pic". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  25. ↑ Galuppo, Mia (15 February 2022). "'We Are Lady Parts' Creator Sets Feature Debut 'Polite Society' at Focus, Working Title". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  26. ↑ Fleming, Mike Jr. (14 December 2022). "Melissa McCarthy To Star In Richard Curtis-Scripted Christmas Comedy For Universal, Working Title & Peacock; Sam Boyd To Direct". Deadline. Retrieved 25 December 2022.
  27. ↑ Grobar, Matt (1 November 2023). "Melissa McCarthy, Paapa Essiedu's Peacock Comedy 'Genie' From 'Love Actually's Richard Curtis Gets Premiere Date, Trailer, First Look Photos". Deadline. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  28. ↑ Kroll, Justin (1 April 2022). "Ethan Coen Sets Next Feature With Focus And Working Title". Deadline. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
  29. ↑ Kroll, Justin (6 June 2022). "Apple Lands Steve McQueen's Next Feature Film 'Blitz'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  30. ↑ Fleming, Mike Jr. (21 March 2023). "As T.J. Newman Is Set To Adapt Debut Novel 'Falling', Her Follow-up 'Drowning: The Rescue Of Flight 1421' Drops In Hollywood". Deadline Hollywood.
  31. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (22 April 2022). "New Line Acquires Rebecca Serle's Novel 'In Five Years' For HBO Max; Aimee Lagos To Adapt". Deadline. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  32. ↑ Wiseman, Andreas (10 May 2023). "Frankie Goes To Hollywood Biopic 'Relax' In The Works With 'It's A Sin' Star Callum Scott Howells, Working Title & Independent Entertainment — Cannes Market". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  33. ↑ Fleming, Mike Jr. (31 January 2022). "Demi Moore & Margaret Qualley To Star In Universal/Working Title's 'The Substance'; 'Revenge' Helmer Coralie Fargeat Directs Her Script". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  34. ↑ Wiseman, Andreas (19 November 2020). "Angelina Jolie To Direct Movie 'Unreasonable Behaviour' About Revered War Photographer Don McCullin; Working Title & Hardy Son & Baker Producing". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  35. ↑ Sun, Rebecca (24 March 2022). "Gemma Chan, Nina Yang Bongiovi Developing Anna May Wong Biopic With Working Title Films (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
  36. ↑ Collis, Clark (December 4, 2017). "How director Edgar Wright steered Baby Driver to global success". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on December 7, 2018. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
  37. ↑ Hall, Jacob (5 December 2017). "'Baby Driver' Sequel "Being Hammered Out," Edgar Wright Plans to Write the Screenplay". /Film. Retrieved 6 December 2017.
  38. ↑ Travis, Ben; Nugent, John (21 January 2019). "Edgar Wright's Next Film Is A Psychological Horror, Plus Baby Driver 2 Update – Exclusive". Empire. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.