Joshua Grode: Last News

EXCLUSIVE: Legendary Entertainment is moving into the non-scripted world.

Studiocanal veteran Isabel Hund has been tapped as CEO of the new Legendary Entertainment and Tobis joint venture.

Dune studio Legendary Entertainment and Berlin-based indie producer and distributor Tobis are to create a joint venture aimed at developing and producing premium German-language serial content.

Manori Ravindran International EditorLegendary Entertainment has struck a scripted joint venture with leading German producer-distributor Tobis.The JV will see the companies developing, producing and distributing premium German-language series.Tobis, which was first founded in 1971, has released more than 400 local and international films, including “The Fifth Element,” “Hannibal” and “Bad Moms.” The company’s local-language productions include “The Most Beautiful Girl In The World” and “Catweazle” as well as the forthcoming films “The Magic Flute,” “Better Man” and German in-house production “Jagdsaison.”The newly formed company will be based at Tobis’ recently opened Munich offices and will focus on high-end scripted series and mini-series driven by local stories and talent. The company is set to work with traditional German broadcasters and streaming platforms.

Cynthia Littleton Business EditorThe business of moviegoing may be grappling with unprecedented, pandemic-induced pressures, but no one should underestimate the economic value of a theatrical release.That was the strong perspective offered by Legendary Entertainment CEO Joshua Grode on Wednesday morning during a Q&A held as part of the Variety Power of Law breakfast, presented by City National Bank, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills.“I think there’s going to be a very vibrant theatrical business,” Grode told Variety Editor-in-Chief Claudia Eller, who conducted the 30-minute interview. Grode, a former lawyer who took the reins of Legendary in 2018, emphasized that Legendary’s model for backing big tentpole movies relies on strength at the box office to drive pricing and fees for premium VOD, pay-one television deals and other after-market exploitation that goes on for years.

Todd Longwell Legendary Entertainment CEO Joshua Grode, the keynote speaker at Variety’s Power of Law breakfast on April 20, is having a good year. For one thing, his company scored big at the Oscars with its epic adaptation of Frank Herbert’s classic sci-fi novel “Dune” (produced in partnership with Warner Bros.), which earned 10 nominations, including best picture, and took home six statuettes.

William Earl Variety announced today the programming for its in-person, invite-only Power of Law Breakfast, presented by City National Bank, on April 20. Variety Power of Law is tied to the annual Legal Impact Report, which profiles the top business lawyers working in entertainment and media.This year’s Power of Law honoree will be Mathew Rosengart, Partner, Greenberg Traurig, LLP, one of the nation’s foremost litigators, who is being recognized for his distinguished career and philanthropic endeavors.

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and MediaLegendary Entertainment has sold a $760 million equity stake to Apollo, the companies announced on MondayThe pact gives the investment giant a minority ownership position in the studio behind “Dune” and “Godzilla vs. Kong.” In July, Variety broke the news that Legendary was exploring a possible sale and merger and had abandoned an earlier plan to merge with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC).Wanda, which bought Legendary in 2016 for $3.5 billion, will continue to have a stake in the company.

Netflix film Enola Holmes has been approved for a sequel, with Millie Bobby Brown and Henry Cavill to reprise their roles as Enola and Sherlock Holmes, respectively.According to the Hollywood Reporter, the second instalment was greenlit after the film was viewed by 76million households within the first 30 days of its release back in September.Writer Jack Thorne and director Harry Bradbeer will also be brought back for the sequel, with both of them also executive producing along with Legendary Pictures’ Joshua Grode and Michael Dreyer.Brown herself has responded to the news, sharing a photo on Instagram with the caption: “The sequel is afoot”.

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and MediaLayoffs have hit Legendary Digital Networks, a spokesperson for the company’s corporate parent Legendary Entertainment confirmed to Variety.The cuts are to eight full-time positions, representing 30% of the staff, according to sources. The layoffs are across the division’s marketing, production and sales teams.

Legendary Entertainment has appointed Sirena Liu CEO of Legendary East, the studio's China-based division, which is responsible for marketing, licensing and merchandising Legendary’s theatrical film and TV projects in the Middle Kingdom market. The announcement was made Thursday by Legendary's CEO Joshua Grode, to whom Liu will report.

By Nancy Tartaglione