Marina Del Rey, CA -- May 9, 2000 – Building on an already impressive first quarter of activity, Trimark Pictures plans to develop a sequel to its science-fiction film, Cube. The film has been a theatrical sensation overseas, most notably in France, where its cult status has risen to an impressive $7M at the box office, and in Japan, where it went on to be the biggest specialized theatrical hit of the year. Cube was also a theatrical success in countries as diverse as Israel, Korea, Argentina, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Poland, where it has out-grossed the latest James Bond film. In Germany, it is slated for a major summer release by Constantin Film Gmbh. Despite its modest theatrical release in the U.S., the film went on to gross over $4 million in home video and became one of the highest rated films in the history of U.S.A. network.
The recipient of the grand prize in the Gerardmer Festival of Fantasy Film, Cube is about six people who inexplicably find themselves trapped inside a cube and must use their wits to find the right exit, or die. The sequel will take on an entirely new predicament and set of real and metaphysical obstacles. The project will be overseen by Robin Schorr, Head of Production, Trimark Pictures and Darin Spillman, VP, Production, Trimark Pictures.
“Cube became the must-see movie for smart filmgoers everywhere and we want to continue that ride with a sequel that will capture the spirit of the original but with a whole new twist,” said Schorr.
Although Trimark distributed the original Cube, the sequel rights to the picture were held by the Feature Film Project in Canada. Trimark’s deal to acquire Cube sequel rights was brokered by Peter Block (Executive Vice President) and Wayne Levin (Head of Business Affairs) for Trimark Pictures. Jeff Shumway (ICM), Diane Cafazzo, Esq. (McMillan Binch) and Justine Whyte represented the Feature Film Project.
Continuing to ramp up its production slate, Trimark will immediately begin production on Alex Rio’s screenplay, tentatively titled, Untitled Low-Budget Thriller That Will Scare the S**t Out of You. The film will be produced by Outlaw Productions. In addition, Trimark recently purchased the screenplay Redemption, a psychological cat & mouse thriller, from screenwriter Richard Hatem, which is to be produced with Patagonia Pictures.
Trimark Pictures is gearing up for the May 12, nationwide release of its production, Held Up, starring Jamie Foxx and Nia Long. The Company is also in post-production on its latest shows; Skipped Parts, directed by Tamra Davis, starring Jennifer Jason Leigh, Brad Renfro and featuring a cameo appearance by Drew Barrymore, which is slated for theatrical release this summer, and Stalk, starring Gretchen Mol, Samantha Mathis, Matthew Settle and Tom Everett Scott, which is slated for a fall theatrical release. Also in post-production is the recently wrapped After The Storm starring Armand Assante, Benjamin Bratt and Mili Avital. In addition, Trimark is currently in pre-production on Carnivore, written by Larry and Andy Wachowski, the creative team behind The Matrix.
Trimark Holdings, Inc. (TMRK-NASDAQ) is a broad-based entertainment company which acquires, produces, and distributes motion pictures domestically and internationally under the Trimark Pictures banner; licenses to the broadcast industry under the Trimark Television moniker; and distributes to the domestic home video market under the Trimark Home Video label. Through each of the Company’s separate entities, Trimark is the owner of nearly 700 titles.
Except for the historical information contained herein, certain matters discussed in this news release are forward looking statements, within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that involve risks and uncertainties. Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. Other matters, uncertainties and risks are detailed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports, including the Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 1999 and the Form 10-Qs for the quarters ended September 30, 1999 and December 31, 1999.