Chinese mogul Bruno Wu’s Seven Stars Entertainment has partnered with French mogul Pierre-Ange Le Pogam to form Angel Storm, a new joint venture that will develop and produce European-Chinese co-productions.
Le Pogam and Wu have already picked the venture’s first two films, “Shanghai” and “Triangle,” which both will produce. Le Pogam’s Stone Angels will handle distribution rights in France, while Seven Stars will distribute in China.
“Pierre-Ange is a very versatile filmmaker and executive, whether he’s dealing with a mainstream commercial title or an art house film, he understands the global business, and we both share a love for movies,” Wu said in a statement. “I believe Angel Storm will deliver franchise actioners to international audiences everywhere.”
Wu has set up a variety of partnerships over the past couple of years, from his joint venture with Avi Arad to his film fund co-financed by the government of the Binhai New Area. This deal lands him a major partner in Europe while awarding Le Pogam an inside track at distribution in China.
Also read: Why Hollywood Studios Need to Learn Chinese
Le Pogam is a veteran of the European film scene, a co-founder of EuropaCorp, the company behind hits like the “Taken” and ‘Transporter” franchises.
His Stone Angels produced the Grace Kelly biopic “Grace of Monaco,” which Wu executive-produced.
Seven Stars, which formed last year, has three movies premiering at Cannes this year – James Gray‘s “The Immigrant,” Nicolas Winding Refn‘s “Only God Forgives” and Guillaume Canet’s “Blood Ties.”
Olga Kurylenko to Star with Pierce Brosnan in 'November Man'
“Oblivion” star Olga Kurylenko, Luke Bracey of “G.I. Joe: Retaliation” and Bill Smitrovich of “Iron Man” have all joined the cast of spy thriller “November Man,” Das Films and Irish Dreamtime announced on Friday.
Pierce Brosnan will star in the film as a former CIA agent who must combat his former pupil (Bracey) to find a woman (Kurylenko) central to an international plot.
“Pierce and I couldn’t be happier with the cast we’ve put together on a project that’s been a true labor of love,” producer Beau St. Clair said. “We’re excited to reintroduce Pierce to the spy game, especially with such great talent surrounding him.”
Roger Donaldson will direct the film from Michael Finch’s script, based on Bill Granger’s seventh book in his 13-part “November Man” series. Financed by Merced Media Partners, Envision Entertainment Corporation and PalmStar Media, the film will begin shooting in May 20.
The Solution is selling international rights while CAA represents the domestic rights.
XLrator Media Acquires Violent Action Epic ‘Ironclad: Battle for Blood’
XLrator Media has acquired domestic distribution rights to “Ironclad: Battle for Blood,” ContentFilm announced on Friday.
Content has sold the violent action film in several territories across the globe, including the U.K., France, Germany, Australia, Japan, China and Turkey. It is showing footage to buyers, as the film is currently in post-production.
Jonathan English directed “Ironclad” from a script he co-wrote with Steven McDool. Michelle Fairly, Roxanne McKee and Danny Webb star.
Incentive Capital to Finance Casper Van Dien Starrer, 'Jason and the Necronauts'
Incentive Capital will finance “Jason and the Necronauts,” a mythological fantasy starring Casper Van Dien, Recreation announced on Friday. Special-effects veteran Kevin Van Hook wrote and will direct the film, which begins shooting in July.
The film, whose title is a play on the Jason of Greek mythology, follows a different hero who must recruit an army of the dead to face his enemy.
Incentive and Recreation partnered last year to collaborate on international distribution and financing. They are already working together on “U.F.O” starring Jean-Claude Van Damme.
Recreation CEO Ariel Veneziano made the deal with Incentive’s Joe Pia and Peter Wetherell.