Terminator Franchise Up at Auction This Month
Posted in General Terminator News on 02-11-2009
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I’ve gotten emails from readers asking why I don’t post as much anymore. The answer is pretty simple: there isn’t a whole lot to post about. There haven’t been any news about The Sarah Connor Chronicles, or any movement on another sequel to the “Terminator” franchise, and what news there is are of the dull, industry bullshit variety, which is, well, dull and bullshit-y. But here’s something that will impact the franchise mightily: rights to the franchise are going up for auction later this month.
This from DeadlineHollywoodDaily:
All the big studios, with Sony leading the way, as well as Summit Entertainment and Media Rights Capital, are interested in bidding when the Terminator franchise is auctioned off this month. This news comes from the Financial Times’ Matthew Garrahan who says the rights auction is for new Terminator films, TV program and other spin-offs… The sale is being conducted by FTI Capital Advisors for Halcyon which bought the Terminator rights 2 years ago for $25M from Mario Kassar. Halcyon recently filed for Chapter 11 after a dispute with Pacificor, a Santa Barbara-based hedge fund that lent Halcyon the sum to buy the Terminator rights.
Halcyon hasn’t exactly scored their first time out with the franchise. The movie, despite making $380 million worldwide, is still considered only a minor success. Plus, the failure of the TV show leaves a huge question mark. Maybe give someone else a shot, Halcyon…
Personally, I’m in favor of letting Joss Whedon buy the rights.
So wait, T4 made $380mil., yet that wasn’t enough for them to pay up their dept? Don’t tell me they didn’t make any sort profit from this movie, it couldn’t have been THAT expensive. Please correct me if I’m wrong.
Regardless, they did a crappy job with the franchise. Hopefully, Terminator will find a new owner, one with more brains. One that will bring back TSCC.
Generally speaking, a film needs to AT LEAST double its production budget to turn a profit. So $380 from a $200 million budget. You have to include print and advertising costs, overseas promotional expenses, etc. But when you factor in the film’s DVD sales, potential cable and other ancillary sales, it SHOULD come out in the black. Though it would appear, not nearly enough to save the producers.
Thanks for clarifying that.
will the last episodes, never shown, ever be released? I would at least like to have the chance to see how things really ended. This all sucks. MONEY, MONEY… it’s always about money….
What last episodes?
“All the big studios, with Sony leading the way, as well as Summit Entertainment and Media Rights Capital, are interested in bidding when the Terminator franchise is auctioned off this month.”
I dont care who gets the franchise, as long as they do not employ that clown McG and those dolts who did the FX on T4. The new owner will have too accept that a better script that sticks too the Ethos is required, and not rely solely on special effects.
yeah let someone but the rights, but they need common sence aswell
This shows up to us the results of why can’t make experiments with the franchise. good names, good story but not enough to profit. the earlier terminator movies their attractive was Schwarzenegger, the special fx and a captivating story. McG made a few mistakes showing a John Connor like a full doubt man, instead the resistance leader. maybe if they continues the story or tell about how Skynet was self aware of his existence and how the machines took the world, leading it to J-Day, could be more attractive.
Terminator franchise goes up for auction
Simon Brew
By the end of the month, the rights to the Terminator will be in fresh hands…
Published on Nov 2, 2009
With Terminator: Salvation hitting DVD and Blu-ray at the end of this month, the fate of future Terminator movies will now be dependent on the outcome of an auction for the rights to the franchise which takes place over the next couple of weeks. The auction has come about due to Halcyon filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States, and as such it’s selling off arguably its most valuable asset to try and raise some much-needed funds.
The auction will cover the future of the Terminator franchise, and not the rights to the earlier movies, and whoever wins the auction will be able to make whatever movies and TV shows around the property that they choose. As such, it’s a fair bet that we’ve not seen the last of the Terminator on the big screen, given that it’s likely to take a near-nine figure sum to win the rights in the first place (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles rights sold for $60m just a few weeks ago), and it’s also safe to assume that there’s likely to be more than one bidder here (all of Hollywood’s major studios are said to have lodged an interest, with the Financial Times reporting that Sony is the current frontrunner).
Whoever ends up with the rights to the Terminator will have to decide fairly quickly whether they intend to proceed with the plans for a new trilogy of films, which Terminator: Salvation was expected to be the first of. Despite suggestions that it had severely underperformed - in the light of its $125m US gross - Terminator: Salvation pulled in just over $370m at the worldwide box office, and is expected to garner healthy returns from its disc release too.
The fate of Terminator 5, however, is set to be known by the end of the month. The Financial Times has more on the auction…”
Sony are said to be the front runners, but all the major studios have shown interest, and this also include WB and Fox. Hopefully they will lose in the bid. It needs to be in new hands. And if there is a T5, which does not look likely, it needs to be under the control of people who actually know something about the Terminator genre.
It was reported ages ago that Terminator was up for auction this month. Okay, here we are the last day of the month and nothing new has been reported. Does anyone know what is going on? I do a search online, and it just keeps bring up the same old articles. So what is up with the auction?
Still no news!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That just sucks. I’m waiting somewhat impatiently for news as to who will be buying the franchise. I would think something like this would be generating more talk, but without further news, every forum discussing it has dried up. I need news. I want to know the future of Terminator will be in good hands. Hopefully the hands of someone who wants to bring back Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles!
According to one source, there will be the initial sealed bids. After they are opened all those bidding will be told there is a “Stalking-Horse” an outsider and would they like to increase their bid. This could gone on into 2010 by the looks of things.
MGM have gone belly up now as well, looking for buyers.
Terminator Franchise to Be Sold by February
December 3rd, 2009
The Terminator franchise to be sold by February
In a story from Variety, the future of the Terminator franchise looks to be getting worked out.
Halcyon Holding Group announced today that it hopes to conclude the auction for the rights to the franchise by February 1 as part of its bankruptcy process.
“Over the past few weeks, Halcyon and its professionals have engaged in in-depth discussions and negotiations with numerous serious potential buyers, including several major movie studios,” Halcyon stated. “In addition, a number of attractive refinancing alternatives have also been presented. In order to maximize the value of a transaction for all of the company’s creditors and stakeholders, we are fully analyzing all these options.”
One month ago, Halcyon had said that it would figure out by November 20 which offer would be the “stalking horse” and then set the minimum bid price for all the Terminator assets. This are “rights to future Terminator pics, TV series, DVDs and merchandise.”
Halcyon says now that it isn’t going to do that part of the process.”
A bit more. I hope what they said about “McG” is true
Fri, Dec 4 2009 | Published in FCG, News
Terminator Franchise Hangs In The Balance
By: Martyn Conterio
Last year’s Terminator: Salvation might have been a title too far. It now looks likely McG’s 2008 sci-fi actioner will be a one-off. Halycon Holding Group, who hold the rights, have filed for bankruptcy and will be flogging the series to the highest bidder. Who will buy?
Terminator Salvation’s makers initially planned a new trilogy, but this now seems unlikely to happen. Will Christian Bale ever return? After “that” on-set incident reduced him to a worldwide laughing stock? Not likely. He and Shane Halbutt are “done professionally.”
Halycon Holding Group announced, that:
“Over the past few weeks, Halcyon and its professionals have engaged in in-depth discussions and negotiations with numerous serious potential buyers, including several major movie studios,” Halcyon said. “In addition, a number of attractive refinancing alternatives have also been presented. In order to maximize the value of a transaction for all of the company’s creditors and stakeholders, we are fully analyzing all these options.”
The Terminator brand could tempt Hollywood studios to stump up the cash and attempt another series of films. For once the future is hard to see. James Cameron’s creation has continued to capture the imagination of audiences ever since Arnie muttered the iconic words: “I’ll be back”. Jonathan Mostow helmed the third feature, Terminator 3: The Rise of the Machines, to a collective shrug.
Halycon Holding Group expect to have the situation wrapped up by Feb 2010.”
Thank you JimM for finding and posting the information. I will share it later on terminator wiki. There is a discussion there that hasn’t seen any new information coming to light either.
Hi The1Russter A bit more…
“Halcyon had said a month ago that it would determine by Nov. 20 which offer would serve as a “stalking horse” and set the minimum bid price for the “Terminator” assets, which include rights to future “Terminator” pics, TV series, DVDs and merchandise. But the company said Thursday that it will eschew that part of the process. “
It is done pacifior has bought the rights as of today, check it out on scifi.com
It’s not a done deal unless the bankruptcy court approves it on Thursday.
Well lets hope a company that knows they have a goldmine treat it properly. For what its worth, in the UK Virgin are running Series 1 & 2 again on Friday nights with another showing an hour or so later.
Terminator Franchise Sold To Pacificor For $29.5 Million!
Posted by Allan Ford 9 February, 2010
According to Deadline Hollywood, the Terminator franchise has a new owner. Halcyon Holding Corp. accepted a $29.5 million bid from a Santa Barbara-based hedge fund called Pacificor.
Sony and Lionsgate dropped out at just under $29.5 million when it became clear that Pacificor was willing to pay almost any amount of money for Terminator.
Pacificor is actually the debt holder that caused the bankruptcy issue for Halcyon in the first place, and led to the auction. Halcyon will receive $5 million for every Terminator movie made from now on, as well as retains the rich revenue streams from the movies Terminator 3 and 4. An arrangement also was made that the sale now wipes out the debt Halcyon owed to Pacificor and all the other creditors.
Lionsgate had planned “a complete re-boot, back to basics, with real emotional stories, and effects that will be secondary” vision of the Terminator franchise. Finally, Sony Pictures Entertainment’s president of worldwide affairs Peter Schlessel was reportedly furious about losing the auction, and stormed out after losing the rights war to Pacificor.
According to the L.A Times, Sony and Lionsgate are now jointly in talks with Pacificor to “take control of the property”. Pacificor has no experience making movies whatsoever, so they will need to work with studios if they are to put the rights into good use.
U.S. judge OKs “Terminator” sale to hedge fund
Alex Dobuzinskis and Emily Chasan
Wed Feb 10, 2010 7:23pm EST
Related News
Judge OKs “Terminator” sale to hedge fund
Wed, Feb 10 2010
Columbia, Lions Gate call Terminator auction unfair
Wed, Feb 10 2010
Hedge fund wins “Terminator” franchise: source
Tue, Feb 9 2010
Hedge fund wins “Terminator” franchise - source
Tue, Feb 9 2010
LOS ANGELES/NEW YORK (Reuters) - The Terminator will be back, but under new ownership.
DEALS
A U.S. bankruptcy judge said on Wednesday the movie franchise could be sold to California-based, hedge fund Pacificor LLC, ending months of speculation about the future of the iconic film series after its current owner collapsed into bankruptcy in August.
U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Ernest Robles approved the sale during a hearing in his Los Angeles courtroom, saying it would offer the best deal for the company’s unsecured creditors.
He overruled an objection from movie studios Columbia Pictures and Lions Gate Entertainment Corp who had claimed the auction process was unfair after their joint bid for the franchise was not selected.
Under the deal, Pacificor would have the rights to the revenue from future films, games, DVDs and certain television programing from the franchise.
Pacificor has been in talks with several movie studios about future distribution and production of the Terminator films, and those talks are expected to intensify once the deal closes, according to a person familiar with the matter who declined to be named because the information was not public.
Pacificor did not return an e-mail seeking comment.
Halcyon Holding, had acquired the Terminator franchise in 2007 for about $25 million and produced “Terminator Salvation,” which took in about $371 million in worldwide box office returns last year.
Halcyon, which had been working on the concept for a fifth Terminator film, fell into bankruptcy amid a dispute with its backers at Pacificor, who had originally financed Halcyon’s purchase of the Terminator rights.
Pacificor, Halcyon’s largest creditor in the bankruptcy, made a winning “credit bid” of $29.5 million on Monday to acquire the franchise. It also promised to pay an additional $5 million to Halcyon’s bankruptcy estate for each future Terminator sequel created.
Pacificor’s bid beat out a $35.6 million joint offer from Lions Gate and Columbia Pictures, a unit of Sony Corp, which had promised to pay the estate a further $2 million for each of the sixth and seventh Terminator sequels, but no money for the fifth sequel.
In a bankruptcy auction, lenders are allowed to “credit bid,” forgiving much of the debt they are owed in exchange for taking control of franchise. The movie studios had contested last minute changes that allowed Pacificor to credit bid up to $38 million.
Judge Robles said he believed the Pacificor deal would lead to a better return for Halcyon’s unsecured creditors.
“They have the most at stake here,” Robles said.
The deal with Pacificor also settled several legal disputes between Halcyon and the hedge fund stemming from its collapse.
The sale is the second high profile movie franchise to be sold in the last few months. Nickelodeon paid $60 million for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise in October.
FTI Capital Advisors acted as the banker for the auction, Peitzman, Weg & Kempinsky LLP represents Halcyon and Pacificor is represented by Latham & Watkins.
The case is In re: T Asset Acquisition Company LLC, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Central District of California, No. 09-31853.
(Reporting by Alex Dobuzinskis and Emily Chasan; editing by Gerald E. McCormick, Leslie Gevirtz and Andre Grenon)
“Under the deal, Pacificor would have the rights to the revenue from future films, games, DVDs and certain television programing from the franchise.”
Lets hope the TV Programming is the chronicles