Outlaw nabs WB/Fuji deal
Fuji had been courting Outlaw for the past five years. This represents the first stateside production entry for Fuji's parent group Fujisankei, the largest media company in Japan.
Under the terms of the 50-50 equity financing arrangement, WB retains world distrib rights and Fuji gets Japan for pix all three partners agree on.
After the two giants collect their respective distrib fees, all three partners equally share net revenues once the films are profitable.
Aside from these unusual terms, the partnership works much like a first-look deal: Both WB and Fuji reserve equal right to pass on Outlaw projects. If Fuji passes, WB still has first look. And if both pass, the pic can then be shopped elsewhere.
"While this is technically not an exclusive deal, I'd be surprised if we make movies elsewhere," said Outlaw partner Robert Newmyer. "We anticipate that all of our movies in the foreseeable future will be made in this joint venture."
Either way, the deal guarantees that all of Outlaw's overhead is paid, including salaries for its nine-member staff and rent for its Studio City office. Staying true to their name, the Outlaws will stay off the WB lot.
Before the deal was struck, a 10-project Outlaw slate was in development at several studios. One of these, "Addicted to Love," a story about two spurned lovers who team up to destroy their former partners, is now in development for WB. And when the Fuji folks wing over in July for a powwow, all three partners will decide which projectswill get a green light.
The indie producers will continue to use their flair for small, offbeat pix while also eyeing bigger game.
"Our main emphasis will be on modestly budgeted pictures with young, new talent," said Outlaw partner Jeffrey Silver. "That's our appeal with both of these companies. But we'll most likely also do about one bigger picture every year with a higher talent profile."
Producer Brian Reilly also felt that the deal would enhance Outlaw's profile.
"The interesting thing is that we'll continue to attract artists with great stories, and now we'll have the financial backing to really be considered a solid option for them," Reilly said.
This partnership "sets a precedent between Fuji Television and Warner Bros., in that each is an equal financial participant in the agreement," said WB prexy and COO Terry Semel. "We are very pleased to begin this relationship between divisions of the largest American-owned and the largest Japanese-owned media companies."
"We believe that the future of motion pictures relies on the work of today's young filmmakers," added Fuji prexy and CEO HisashiHieda.
Fuji apparently also considered Outlaw's budget control a key selling point.
"We had talks with them specifically about how we planned to contain costs," said Newmyer. "And since (he and Silver) have both been line producers, they were interested in that."
WB and Fuji have previously ponied up green for UK-based Enigma Prods., which made "Memphis Belle" and "Meeting Venus."
