October 5, 2013: Warner Bros. Signs Multi-Year Deal with RatPac-Dune Entertainment
Posted by Neil Cole
Sources have told the Hollywood Reporter that Warner Bros. has signed a $450-million dollar financing arrangement with RatPac-Dune Entertainment; a newly formed partnership between by Dune's Steven Mnuchin, filmmaker Brett Ratner and Australian billionaire James Packer.
The massive deal will reportedly cover Warner Bros.' entire movie slate of up to 75 titles over the next three or four years including the already successful film "Gravity" which opened Friday; the Christmas Day release "Grudge Match"; and the highly anticipated follow-up to "Man of Steel" which opens on July 17, 2015.
Here's an excerpt from the Hollywood Reporter article:
According to a source, a quiet negotiation took place that resulted in Ratner not having creative input on the films, a move that Ratner fully supported. As part of the deal, the director-producer won't provide notes or be in the editing room on the titles, though his RatPac logo will grace the films.
"We are very pleased to be entering into this relationship with RatPac-Dune Entertainment," Warner Bros. CEO Kevin Tsujihara said. "This agreement gives us increased strength and flexibility in the motion picture division and an even greater ability to manage risk as we continue to produce high-quality filmed entertainment for the global audience. We look forward to working with their team as we move forward in this exciting new partnership with a truly great organization."
Added Mnuchin, "Warner Bros. Pictures has an incredible track record of success with the most valuable franchise properties, the best relationships in the creative community and an extremely talented executive team."
The RatPac-Dune Entertainment financial deal replaces Warner Bros. former partnership with the studios' longtime financing partner, Legendary Entertainment which ended in July. Legendary went on to sign a financial deal with Universal Pictures.
Source: HollywoodReporter.com
