Mad Solar is an American entertainment company founded by American musician Scott "Kid Cudi" Mescudi, and his business partners Dennis Cummings and Karina Manashil, in 2020. The multidisciplinary company comprises film and television production houses, as well as management and publishing services.[3] Mad Solar was launched on November 17, 2020, and is headquartered in Los Angeles.[4]
The company went on to produce A Man Named Scott (2021), a documentary storying Mescudi's musical career, as well as Mescudi's Netflix animated special Entergalactic (2022), which he co-created alongside fellow American producer Kenya Barris. Mad Solar would also produce the critically acclaimed horror film X (2022), which Cudi starred in, along with it’s prequel Pearl (2022) and sequel MaXXXine (2023).
History
On November 17, 2020, it was announced American musician and actor Scott Mescudi teamed with his manager Dennis Cummings and his talent agent Karina Manashil, to found Mad Solar, a production and music management company. The company, which takes its name from the eleventh track from Kid Cudi's third album Indicud (2013), is backed by Bron Studios, which provides corporate back office and production support, including financing, marketing, and sales.[5]
In a statement Mescudi said, "Beyond excited to be launching my production company Mad Solar and partnering with Bron, whose creative vision and storytelling has transformed the industry."[6] When speaking on the collaboration, Bron Studios chairman Aaron Gilbert said, "Scott Mescudi's growth as a creative and an entrepreneur has been impressive. For Bron, the strategic relationship with Mad Solar is key in our efforts to support the entertainment industry's top creatives, as well as expand Bron's access to the best in class music and sports talent through Mad Solar's management division."[7]
On December 9, 2020 it was announced Mad Solar would be developing a film adaptation of the coming-of-age campus novel Real Life, with Mescudi set to star. Bron Studios acquired the rights to the 2020 Booker Prize-shortlisted novel with Mad Solar. Real Life is the semi-autobiographical novel debut for writer Brandon Taylor. It follows an introverted, queer, Black scientist in a predominantly white, Midwestern PhD program as he navigates complex friendships, romantic relationships, betrayals and mercies, all over the course of one weekend.[8]
In September 2022, Mad Solar produced the Netflix adult animated special Entergalactic, which Mescudi co-created alongside fellow American producer Kenya Barris. Based on original music by Mescudi, the special, which Mescudi writes, executive produces and stars in, follows a young man on his journey to discover love. Additionally, Mad Solar teamed with A24 and Bron Studios on the horror film X (2022). Written and directed by Ti West, X stars Mia Goth, Cudi and Jenna Ortega. Mescudi and Manashil served as executive producers on the film, and its subsequent films Pearl (2022) and MaXXXine (2023).[7][9]
On July 19, 2023, Bron Studios, the parent company of Mad Solar, filed for creditor protection in Canada, and Chapter 15 bankruptcy in the United States, citing the COVID-19 pandemic and both the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes as the reasons of its eventual downfall.[10]
Filmography
Films
Key
†
Denotes productions that have not yet been released
