Relativity Media is in negotiations with Universal to acquire the assets of Rogue Pictures, the studio’s genre label, for as much as $150 million.
The Hollywood Reporter says the proposed deal would see Ryan Kavanaugh’s Relativity purchase more than 25 library titles, four upcoming films and more than 30 projects in development at Rogue, which was launched in 2004 as a division of Universal’s Focus Features. In 2007, Rogue became an independent specialty unit of the parent studio.
Universal would continue to market and distribute the Rogue films that Relativity is acquiring, and Relativity would also be able to turn to Universal to handle other titles. Universal would get a distribution fee.
The purchase would cover Rogue films now in postproduction, which include Fighting, starring Channing Tatum and Terrence Howard; Platinum Dunes’ The Unborn, from writer/director David Goyer; Wes Craven’s 25/8 and a remake of The Last House on the Left.
Relativity also would pick up the first-look deals Rogue has with Platinum Dunes and Wes Craven, while Universal would get first right of refusal, for a set period of time, for any sequels based on any of the movies released.
