With streaming services like Netflix and Amazon pouring money into original movies, it was only a matter of time before more traditional media outlets followed suit, and an unexpected player has entered the game. Sky has announced plans to create and release original films, with an initial slate crossing several genres and audiences.
First up will be Monster Family, a CGI animation featuring a range of classic movie monsters and a voice cast including Nick Frost and Jason Isaacs, arriving in March. Elsewhere there’s The Hurricane Heist, an action-thriller from The Fast and the Furious and xXx director Rob Cohen (pictured above), science-fiction thriller Anon starring Clive Owen and Amanda Seyfried, and football film Final Score with Pierce Brosnan and Dave Bautista.
The media company will take different levels of involvement in its film projects on a case by case basis, from co-productions and co-financing deals to early rights acquisitions. Speaking to Deadline, Sky Cinema director Ian Lewis said: “This allows us to help producers; there’s a lot of great ideas in the UK that haven’t come to fruition and we hope we can help that. The way that films are released needs to evolve and we’re finding a way to do that rather than waiting for others.”
As well as being available on a new channel called Sky Cinema Original Films, the movies are also set for theatrical releases.
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