WWE Studios Sees Layoffs As Features, TV & Digital Divisions Consolidate

Not a happy day in Stamford, CT, today as WWE had a round of layoffs that impact its film, TV and social media divisions in Connecticut and Los Angeles. Trying to find out the exact number, but WWE Studios saw layoffs in features, TV and digital/social media division Advanced Media Group. All of these operations will be consolidated into a single division, with a smaller staff running those operations.

We’ve heard the cuts were deep. The news was conveyed today by phone by president and chief revenue officer Nick Khan, who left his post as co-head of the CAA television department last summer to take the job. He was the agent for the WWE before joining the company.

source: deadline.com

WWE Studios To Partner Up With Game Show Network

WWE Studios is set to produce new content for the Game Show Network, according to Cablefax.

The deal is expected to showcase new game formats and WWE Superstars as hosts for upcoming shows.

Last October, The Miz revealed at a Virtual Equality Lounge interview that WWE Sutdios and MadRoe Productions (Miz and Maryse’s production company) were producing a new game show, Brawl In the Family.

“I’m so happy to be a part of a company like WWE because it allows myself, and my wife, to not only be in a WWE ring, but also it allows us to have shows, like Miz & Mrs,” Miz said. “You know, we’re developing a show right now, a game show with WWE Studios, called Brawl In the Family.”

“I’ll never forget my wife and I talking and we were like, ‘Man, we need to start getting more stuff out there.’ I feel like this is the time to really do something. My wife kept harping on it and harping on it, and we sat down one day and we just created a game show.”

Paramount Animation & WWE Studios Partner For Upcoming Feature ‘Rumble

Paramount Animation is teaming with WWE Studios on the upcoming summer 2020 release Rumble, which is set in a world where monster wrestling is a global sport and monsters are superstar athletes.

The pic will headline the voice cast of Will Arnett, Terry Crews, Geraldine Viswanathan plus WWE Superstars Becky Lynch (The Marine 6: Close Quarters) and Roman Reigns (Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw). In addition, Tony Danza, Stephen A. Smith, Jimmy Tatro, Ben Schwartz and Michael Buffer will also be part of the voiceover cast.

Directed by Hamish Grieve, Rumble follows Winnie who seeks to follow in her father’s footsteps by coaching a loveable underdog monster into a wrestling champion.

Pic is produced by Mark Bakshi and Brad Booker. Susan Levison and Richard Lowell will serve as EPs for WWE Studios. Reel FX and Walden Media are also producers on Rumble.

WWE Studios recently produced the Dwayne Johnson feature film Fighting with My Familywith the actor’s Seven Bucks and MGM. WWE is currently in production on the Netflix feature The Main Event, The Big Show Show for the streamer and Fight Like a Girl, an unscripted series for Quibi. Recent projects also include Andre the Giant, an Emmy-nominated documentary in partnership with HBO, as well as hit shows Total Divas and Total Bellas on E! and Miz & Mrs. on USA.

Said Mireille Soria, President of Paramount Animation, “Rumble is steeped in the world of wrestling, and what better partners to help bring this world to life than WWE. They bring a pedigree and institutional excellence that is unmatched, and we couldn’t be happier to collaborate with them on this special film. We are thrilled to have a seasoned and dynamic cast in place to breathe life into this exciting story, and can’t wait to bring it to audiences.”

WWE Creating New Quibi Unscripted Series Headlined By Female Superstars

WWE Studios and independent studio Critical Content are producing a new series, Fight Like A Girl, which will air on mobile-first media technology platform Quibi.

According to a press release sent to Wrestling Inc., each episode will feature WWE Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon pairing a WWE female Superstar with a young woman struggling with a personal issue that has been holding her back. The WWE stars will draw from their own life experiences to help their trainees overcome obstacles and become tougher, stronger and healthier versions of their former selves inside and out.

Each episode will be shot at the WWE Performance Center and will feature a stunning transformation and heart-pounding reveal as the women change their lives forever.

Fight Like A Girl is produced by WWE Studios and Critical Content. Executive Producers are Stephanie McMahon, Susan Levison, Ben Zierten and Richard Lowell for WWE Studios, and Tom Forman, Jenny Daly and Jon Beyer for Critical Content.

WWE And Netflix Officially Announce New Movie With Kofi Kingston And Other WWE Superstars

WWE and Netflix have officially announced their first movie together, The Main Event.

The film will star Seth Carr, Tichina Arnold, Ken Marino and Adam Pally. Several WWESuperstars will also be featured - WWE Champion Kofi Kingston, The Miz and Sheamus, among others.

Netflix noted that the logline for the movie reads, "After discovering a magical mask, an 11-year-old aspiring wrestler enters a competition to become the next WWE Superstar."

Production on the movie begins this week in Vancouver. The movie is based on an original screenplay by Larry Postel. Jay Karas will be the director.

The Main Event is expected to premiere on Netflix in 2020 some time.

We noted before that this movie also features a reference to John Cena, who reportedly has a cameo role. WWE did not mention Cena being in the movie. It was also recently reported that Bray Wyatt is featured. There are also said to be several WWE NXT references in the script.

This is the first collaboration between WWE Studios and Netflix. The two companies have been working to develop new, original feature films. The projects will be directed towards family audiences.

Netflix sent us the following blurb on the movie:

"The Main Event joins a growing slate of live action movies featuring kids and teens and made for families, which includes the upcoming comedy Tall Girl, A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting, and Hello, Universe, based on Erin Entrada Kelly's Newbery Award-winning, New York Times bestselling novel.

WWE Studios To Partner Up With Netflix

WWE Studios will be producing feature films with Netflix, with plans to release them via the streaming service, according to PWInsider. The upcoming projects will be geared towards family audiences and the first movie, The Main Event, will begin production in the summer.

The Main Event is about a ten year old boy who gets bullied, but dreams of one day becoming a WWE Superstar. The report also says John Cena could possibly make a cameo and both The Miz and Bray Wyatt are expected to have small roles in the film.

WWE Studios first formed in 2002 and had three releases in 2018: Mohawk (featuring Luke Harper), The Marine 6: Close Quarters (with The Miz, Becky Lynch, and WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels), and Blood Brother (featuring R-Truth).

Fighting with My Family is next up for WWE Studios, which hits theaters on February 22.

Michael Luisi Exits Top Post At WWE Studios

A power struggle has ended with Michael Luisi out as WWE Studios president.

Sources said there was a clash with Michelle Wilson, the co-president of WWE who took on a co-president title at WWE Studios as well.

Luisi took the top post eight years ago, and in that time WWE Studios has grown to be an active player in the movie space. Films have included The Marine, the action film that started John Cena’s transition to films; the genre hit Oculus; the Halle Berry-starrer The Call; and the in post production Fighting With My Family, which features former WWE superstar Dwayne Johnson.

Upcoming there is the Josh Duhamel-directed The Buddy Games, and Pandemonium, the TriStar-based film that Glenn Ficarra and John Requa will direct about the formative years of WWE chief Vince McMahon, who learned the wrestling ropes from his local promoter father. After dad tagged out and son tagged in and bought his father’s struggling business, the young showman turned WWE into a global entertainment corporation with huge stars and sideshow participants that included the current president, Donald Trump. WWE Studios also has generated animated direct-to-DVD titles including The Jetsons and Scooby-Doo.

I’ve heard the company will be steered in the interim by Wilson along with biz affairs exec Timothy Schmidt. They will look to replace Luisi, who previously served exec stints at New Line and Miramax and The Weinstein Company before revamping the fortunes of WWE Studios.

source: deadline.com

WWE Studios Expanding

Variety reports that WWE Studios is expanding into scripted TV series, animation and digital content as they look to grow the studio into a broad-based production operation. They are currently working on a HBO documentary on WWE Hall of Famer Andre the Giant and their next big movie project will be "Fighting With My Family" on Paige's pro wrestling family, which is being led by The Rock and director Stephen Merchant.

"WWE Studios is open for business with this new TV and digital initiative," said Vince McMahon.

"Our new expanded focus on television and digital continues to push WWE Studios as a multi-platform production company, with the ability to create original content for global distribution as we have successfully done for the big screen," said WWE Studios President Michael Luisi. "We look forward to identifying key partners to work alongside us while creating opportunities to use our on-screen WWE talent in new and exciting ways."

Shawn Michaels, The Miz And Becky Lynch Announced For Next WWE Studios 'The Marine' Movie

WWE® STUDIOS AND SONY PICTURES WORLDWIDE ACQUISITIONS TO PARTNER ON THE MARINE 6: CLOSE QUARTERS

Starring WWE Superstars The Miz® and Becky Lynch™, and WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels®

Burbank, Calif. (November 22, 2017) – WWE Studios and Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions (SPWA) today announced that the two studios will partner again to release the upcoming action film The Marine 6: Close Quarters, directed by James Nunn (The Marine 5: Battleground, Eliminators). The film will feature WWE Superstars The Miz and Becky Lynch, and WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels, and is set to begin production on Monday, November 27 in London.

When Jake Carter (The Miz) and fellow Marine Luke Trapper (Shawn Michaels) stumble upon a kidnapped girl being held prisoner by a dangerous gang of international criminals, they find themselves in the crosshairs as they try to save the girl and bring her kidnappers to justice.

"The Marine series continues to deliver action-packed entertainment to our fans, and we are excited to partner again with Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions and director James Nunn to bring The Marine 6: Close Quarters to a global audience" said Michael Luisi, President of WWE Studios. "The motion picture debut of the talented Becky Lynch and the addition of Shawn Michaels to the series, alongside The Miz, is sure to bring the excitement and action to the next level."

WWE Studios Announces Its Next Movie Will Feature Six WWE Superstars

WWE announced today that WWE Studios plans to make another installment of the “Marine” franchise, which starred John Cena in the first film back in 2006.

The new movie will see The Miz reprise his role from the last two Marine movies, and the film will co-star Miz’s wife Maryse, Curtis Axel, Bo Dallas, Heath Slater and Naomi.

The film is set to begin filming on May 31st, and the following is the plot synopsis issued by WWE:

“The Miz returns as Jake Carter, an ex-Marine who served in the Middle East and is now saving civilian lives stateside as an EMT. After responding to an emergency call in an abandoned parking lot, Carter finds himself protecting an injured man from a ruthless biker gang. With the odds stacked against him, Carter utilizes his unique Marine skills to stop the bikers’ rampage before any more innocent blood is shed.”

Conspiracy Thriller ‘SHOOTER’ to Premiere Immediately Following SMACKDOWN on July 19 at 10/9c

Beginning July 19, immediately following SMACKDOWN, USA Network will premiere the new original drama SHOOTER, starring Ryan Phillippe (“Secrets and Lies”), at 10/9c. SHOOTER is based on the best-selling Bob Lee Swagger novel by Stephen Hunter, Point of Impact, and the 2007 Paramount film starring Mark Wahlberg. The series follows the courageous journey of Swagger, a highly-decorated ex-marine sniper who is coaxed back into action after he learns about a plot to kill the President. Mark Wahlberg (“Boardwalk Empire,” “Entourage”) of Closest to the Hole Productions serves as executive producer along with Stephen Levinson (“Boardwalk Empire,” “Ballers”) of Leverage Entertainment; Lorenzo di Bonaventura (“Transformers,” “The Real O’Neals”) and John Hlavin (“The Shield”). The series is a co-production between Paramount Television and Universal Cable Productions.

WWE Studios Signs Deal With Wesley Snipes' Company

WWE Studios sent us the following today:

WWE® STUDIOS AND WESLEY SNIPES' MAANDI MEDIA DMM SIGN MULTI-PICTURE DEAL

Partnership to Develop and Produce Elevated Branded Content

Los Angeles, Calif. (April 25, 2016) - WWE Studios has entered into a multi-picture deal with Wesley Snipes, and his Maandi Media DMM production banner, to develop and produce elevated branded content. The recently announced film, TEMPLE, staring Snipes, Anne Heche, Dave Annable and WWE Superstar Seth Rollins®, which is currently in production, is the first picture under the partnership. It is anticipated that the second picture under the deal will go into production later this year.

"We are always looking for the ideal talent to extend our brand and Wesley is the right combination of action movie star and savvy producer," said Michael Luisi, President of WWE Studios. "We look forward to creating exciting new content with the perfect partner."

"The action genre has been a very big and important part of my career. There is no better way to extend my love for dynamic action based entertainment than with a company like WWE, who have been entertaining fans for decades with incredible visuals and deliciously entertaining storylines," commented Snipes. "Maandi strives to create elevated multi-media content that appeals to all demographics worldwide - from childhood fan to feature film collaborators. Wow, sooo cool! We are all incredibly excited to share visions."

WWE Studios will be handling worldwide rights and will leverage WWE's extensive platforms – including weekly TV shows, digital and social media and WWE Network.

WWE Studios Announces Movie With Seth Rollins

WWE sent us the following today:

EREBUS PICTURES, WWE® STUDIOS AND THE GENE SIMMONS COMPANY ANNOUNCE WESLEY SNIPES, ANNE HECHE, DAVE ANNABLE AND WWE SUPERSTAR SETH ROLLINS® TO STAR IN JOHN STOCKWELL'S THRILLER "TEMPLE"

Principal Photography to start April 6th

Los Angeles, CA (April 5, 2016) - Erebus Pictures, the genre specialty label formed by Multi Media Magnate and KISS co-founder Gene Simmons and WWE Studios, announced today that Wesley Snipes (The Expendables 3), Anne Heche (Wild Card), Dave Annable (Brothers and Sisters) and WWE Superstar Seth Rollins are on board to star in the John Stockwell directed thriller TEMPLE. Filming will commence on Wednesday, April 6th. Snipes will also serve as a producer on TEMPLE along with Simmons and WWE Studios President Michael Luisi.

TEMPLE, written by Matt Savelloni (Exile to Babylon), and directed by John Stockwell (In The Blood), follows a team of trained operatives consisting of Snipes, Heche, Annable and Rollins, who find themselves trapped inside an isolated military compound after its artificial intelligence is suddenly shut down—and then begin to experience strange and horrific phenomena.

"Gene and I are thrilled to have such a stellar cast on board for our first Erebus picture." said Michael Luisi, President WWE Studios. "We also look forward to extending our relationship with John Stockwell."

"I could not be more pleased that we are launching our first film for Erebus pictures and have John on board to direct." said Gene Simmons. "I am really looking forward to working with this fantastic cast as well as Michael and the whole team at WWE."

"It's exciting to find myself in a genre I have always wanted to explore." said Wesley Snipes "We are looking forward to a great brand collaboration with Erebus, WWE and Gene."

As previously announced, Gene Simmons partnered with WWE Studios to launch Erebus Pictures to produce elevated genre films. Erebus Pictures plans to use WWE's extensive platforms from weekly TV shows, including WWE's flagship programs, Monday Night Raw® and SmackDown®, digital, social media and WWE Network, to market the film.

WWE's Next Scooby-Doo Movie

Get ready...Scooby-Doo! and WWE: Curse of the Speed Demon is coming this Summer to Blu-ray, DVD and DHD! pic.twitter.com/exrlCBs7YU

— WWE Studios (@WWEStudios) March 29, 2016

WWE Studios Releasing New Animated Movie, Triple H And Others Voice Characters

WWE Studios will be releasing "Surf's Up 2: WaveMania" soon with John Cena, Paige and WWE World Heavyweight Champion Triple H voicing characters.

I've done a lot of stuff...but voice Hunter the penguin? That's a first. Excited for Surf's Up 2: Wavemania! pic.twitter.com/NS3DD8szL8

— Triple H (@TripleH) March 1, 2016

Sony Pictures Animation and WWE Studios announced today an animated sequel to "Surf's Up," the 2007 Academy Award-nominated action-comedy about surfing penguins. The companies are co-financing and producing the movie, which is expected to release in 2017, in time for the original film's 10th anniversary. "Surf's Up 2: WaveMania" will be distributed by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment with WWE Studios providing marketing support by leveraging its extensive multi-platform reach.

Cody Maverick, hungry for a new challenge, convinces an infamous big-wave-riding crew known as The Hang 5, voiced by WWE Superstars John Cena, The Undertaker, Triple H, WWE Diva Paige and Mr. McMahon, to let him join them on their journey to a mysterious surf spot known as The Trenches, where, legend has it, they'll find the biggest waves in the world. Cody soon discovers that the life he left behind might be more heroic than what any death-defying wave has to offer. Genndy Tartakovsky's protégé Henry Yu (story artist on "Sym-Bionic Titan" and both "Hotel Transylvania" feature films) makes his directorial debut with this project, which is produced by Michelle Wong (production manager on "Hotel Transylvania 2") and features computer animation from Rainmaker Entertainment Inc. Abdul Williams ("Lottery Ticket") is writing the screenplay.

"We are thrilled to be working with Sony Pictures Animation to bring Cody Maverick back to audiences for more adventures, paired with our WWE Superstars in what promises to be a fun animated film for the entire family," said Michael Luisi, WWE Studios President.

"WWE has a proven track record with family audiences, and we couldn't be more excited to partner with them and dive back into the fun world of our surfing penguins," adds Kristine Belson, President, Sony Pictures Animation.

WWE Studios Acquires Rights To New Sundance Thriller

WWE issued the following today:

WWE® STUDIOS AND BLUMHOUSE PRODUCTIONS JOIN FORCES AGAIN TO ACQUIRE WORLDWIDE RIGHTS TO SUNDANCE THRILLER SLEIGHT

Park City, UT (January 28th, 2016) - WWE Studios and Blumhouse Productions announced today that they have acquired all worldwide rights to the Sundance film SLEIGHT. BH Tilt, a division of Blumhouse run by John Hegeman, will oversee the release and marketing of the film. WWE Studios will leverage WWE®'s extensive platforms from weekly TV shows, including WWE's flagship programs, Monday Night Raw® and SmackDown®, digital, social media and WWE Network, to market the film.

SLEIGHT, which premiered as part of the festival's NEXT section, is a dramatic thriller that blends science fiction and street magic in a tale set in Los Angeles. The film is JD Dillard's directorial debut, written by Dillard and Alex Theurer, co-starring Jacob Latimore (Maze Runner), Dulé Hill (Ballers), and Seychelle Gabriel (Falling Skies). The film is produced by Diablo Entertainment's Eric B.Fleischman formerly of Blumhouse, Sean Tabibian and Alex Theurer.

"SLEIGHT is a smart, fresh and ambitious movie that was different from anything else we saw at the festival," said Michael Luisi, WWE Studios President. "We are thrilled to be working again with Jason and the team at Blumhouse, and now John and BH Tilt, to bring JD Dillard's compelling first feature to audiences worldwide."

"We love low budget filmmaking because it allows directors to take creative risks and that is exactly what JD Dillard did with SLEIGHT, a truly original and unique movie," said Blumhouse Founder and CEO Jason Blum. "We are excited to once again collaborate with Michael and WWE Studios, and to have BH Tilt continue to take advantage of the evolution in digital marketing."

Bradley Buchanan handled negotiations on behalf of WWE Studios, and CAA brokered the deal on behalf of Diablo and newly-signed clients Dillard and Theurer.

WWE Studios Doing More Faith-Based Content

WWE Studios recently applied to trademark "Clear Water Pictures." This is apparently a company set up to produce and distribute faith-based films, programming, mobile apps and other forms of content. As noted, WWE announced earlier this year that they acquired faith-based movie "The Resurrection of Gavin Stone" with Shawn Michaels, and will release it in July.

WWE Studios Announces Partnership and Will Release Multiple Films, Recording Artist to Star in a WWE Movie

WWE has released the following:

WWE STUDIOS AND CODEBLACK FILMS LOCK MULTI-PICTURE CO-PRODUCTION DEAL

Trey Songz to Star in First Title BROTHER’S BLOOD

WWE Studios and CodeblackFilms, a Lionsgate company, today announced a partnership to co-produce and co-finance a slate of films, starting with the gritty action thriller, Brother’s Blood. Trey Songz (Baggage Claim, Texas Chainsaw 3D) is set to star and John Pogue (The Quiet Ones) will direct the film, which is written by Michael Finch (Hitman: Agent 47, The November Man), Karl Gajdusek (Oblivion, Trespass) and Charles Murray (Sons of Anarchy, Castle, Criminal Minds).

Brother’s Blood takes place on the mean streets of a city in decay, where a recently released convict begins to take murderous revenge against his childhood friends, whom he believes let him take the fall for a crime they collectively committed. As the bodies start piling up, one of the friends, now a cop, will stop at nothing to put an end to the murderous rampage and to right the many wrongs of their tragically violent past.

“We look forward to working with Codeblack and expanding our tremendous relationship with Lionsgate,” said Michael Luisi, President of WWE Studios. “John Pogue and Trey Songz are exceptionally talented artists and the ideal creative team to shepherd our first co-production with Codeblack.”

More?

WWE Announces WWE Week On USA Network With The Slammy Awards, Tribute To The Troops And More

WWE announced the following today:

'WWE Week' kicks off Dec. 20 on USA Network

NEW YORK and STAMFORD, Conn. — USA Network and WWE will kick off the holiday season with an action-packed "WWE Week." The week begins Sunday, Dec. 20, with "Santa's Little Helper," followed by Monday Night Raw and the 2015 WWE Slammy Awards on Monday, Dec. 21, a live SmackDown on Tuesday, Dec. 22, and a two-hour WWE Tribute to the Troops special on Wednesday, Dec. 23. The week will also include a daytime interviews with WWE Superstars and Divas.

On Sunday, Dec. 20, at 8 p.m. ET, USA Network will air "Santa's Little Helper," an original comedy from WWE Studios and 20th Century Fox. The film follows a fast-talking businessman who is given the opportunity of a lifetime to become Santa Claus' second-in-command. "Santa's Little Helper" is directed by Gil Junger and produced by Richard Lowell and features WWE Superstar The Miz and WWE Diva Paige. AnnaLynne McCord ("90210," "American Heiress") and Eric Keenleyside ("Godzilla," "The Interpreter") star.

On Monday, Dec. 21, at 8 p.m. ET, USA Network will air Monday Night Raw, live from Minneapolis, featuring the annual fan-voted Slammy Awards — WWE's biggest awards event of the year — honoring the best of the year with its own golden statue. On Tuesday, Dec. 22, at 8 p.m. ET, USA Network will air SmackDown live from Des Moines, Iowa. Both Raw and SmackDown will showcase a star-studded cast of WWE Superstars and Divas, and deliver a shot of adrenaline to viewers with over-the-top action, feats of athleticism and high-octane drama.

On Wednesday, Dec. 23, at 8 p.m. ET, USA Network will air the 13th annual holiday special, WWE Tribute to the Troops. In the tradition of Bob Hope, WWE brings together the best of sports-entertainment and pop culture with celebrity appearances and performances from music's most popular acts — performed for our servicemen and women — to honor their commitment and dedication to our country. This year, Grammy Award-winning rock band Train will perform. WWE Tribute to the Troops has become a holiday tradition and is considered TV's most patriotic and heartwarming show of the year. It will chronicle WWE's visit to Florida's Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena for military personnel and their families stationed at the Jacksonville Naval Air Station, Naval Station Mayport and Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base. While in town, WWE Superstars and Divas will spend the day giving back to those who serve and their families with visits to each base, a Be a STAR anti-bullying rally and military outreach.

WWE also takes over USA Daytime from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Dec. 21, through Friday, Dec. 24, as host Cat Greenleaf conducts interviews from her iconic stoop with WWE Superstars and Divas.

Update on WWE's "Gorgeous George" Biopic

WWE Studios will co-develop the George Raymond Wagner biopic “Gorgeous George” alongside Robert Halmi Jr.’s Great Point Media, with Josh Gad and partner Ryan Dixon writing the script.

“Gorgeous George” will chronicle the life and career of Wagner, the professional wrestler and sports entertainer credited with inspiring the flamboyant personas of performers such as Muhammad Ali and James Brown and helping bring sports into the TV age.

“Gorgeous George was a true pioneer in television,” said Michael Luisi, President of WWE Studios. “Josh is a true talent and we are thrilled to see him and Ryan tackle such a groundbreaking story.”

Gad recently wrapped production on the Disney film “Beauty And The Beast” opposite Emma Watson and Luke Evans. He will begin production in January on STX Entertainment’s “Russ And Roger Go Beyond” as Roger Ebert.

WWE Studios will handle worldwide rights and will use WWE’s platforms, including weekly TV shows, digital and social media and the WWE Network, to market this title.