Thunder Road Films
Company typePrivate
IndustryFilm
Founded2000; 24 years ago (2000)
FounderBasil Iwanyk
HeadquartersSanta Monica, California
ProductsFilm and Television Production

Thunder Road Films is a film and television financing and production company founded by Basil Iwanyk. It is based in Santa Monica, California.[1]

Thunder Road's films have grossed over $3.8 billion worldwide and garnered nominations from the Academy Awards, Golden Globes, Producers Guild Awards, Writers Guild Awards, Directors Guild Awards, and AFI Awards.[2] The company is known for producing a diverse range of films, including action blockbusters, dramas, and thrillers. Some of their most successful films include John Wick, The Town,[3] and Sicario.

The company has developed a reputation for supporting first time filmmakers, with Taylor Sheridan,[4] Halle Berry,[5] and Dev Patel[6] directing their first films with the company.

Management

Producer Basil Iwanyk founded the film and television financing and production company Thunder Road Films in the mid-2000s.[7] In January 2012, Peter Lawson left The Weinstein Company to join Thunder Road as a President of Production,[8] and then left in January 2014 for a job as exec VP of production and acquisitions at Open Road Films.[9] In 2021, Erica Lee was named partner at Thunder Road, moving from her position as President of Production.[10] In 2022, Eric Sherman joined as Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel.[11]

Collaboration deals

In July 2011, after leaving Warner Bros. Television, Thunder Road signed a first-look deal with Sony Pictures Television to develop television projects.[12]

In May 2013, Thunder Road signed on a deal with Cutting Edge Group to finance the company's film music slate, and from that the first film getting covered was John Wick.[13]

In June 2014, Thunder Road and Christian Angermayer's Film House Germany signed a deal to strengthen Thunder Road's financial capability to develop projects.[14] In October 2014, Thunder Road and PalmStar Media signed on a deal in which the Thunder Road would receive $200 million annually to finance five to six $20–50 million budgeted indies within a year.[7] It would also enable the company to co-finance the development and production of larger studio projects.[7]

In May 2015, Thunder Road renewed its slate agreement with Cutting Edge Group and its investment arm, Conduct, which finances the music budgets of films and television programs in exchange for IP rights to each project's original music.[15]

In September 2020, Thunder Road teamed with Redbox on joint venture Asbury Park Pictures for the purpose of making 12 films over the next three years. The films we be budgeted in the range of $10 million-$12 million, and be distributed via Redbox kiosks and on demand service.[16]

Production

Thunder Road has been producing films since 2006, which included 2006's Firewall and We Are Marshall, 2009's Brooklyn's Finest, 2010's Clash of the Titans and The Town.[13] The company also produced the three installments of The Expendables series.[13]

Filmography

Film

Upcoming

Television

References

  1. ^ "Thunder Road Pictures". Yellow Pages. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  2. ^ "Thunder Road Pictures' branch into marketing merges the film and advertising worlds » The Location Guide". Retrieved 2023-04-19.
  3. ^ "Film Producer on a Roll, With Fingers Crossed".
  4. ^ Mumford, Gwilym (2017-09-08). "Taylor Sheridan: 'The big joke on reservations is the white guy that shows up and says: "My grandma is Cherokee"'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-01-08.
  5. ^ Setoodeh, Ramin (2020-09-09). "How Halle Berry Fought Her Way to the Director's Chair". Variety. Retrieved 2024-01-08.
  6. ^ Wiseman, Andreas (2021-03-12). "Netflix Strikes $30M Deal For Dev Patel's Buzzed-About Directorial Debut 'Monkey Man'". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-01-08.
  7. ^ a b c Hall, Gina (October 22, 2014). "Thunder Road Pictures Gets $200 Million From PalmStar Media". TheWrap. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  8. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (January 3, 2012). "Weinstein Vet Peter Lawson To Become Thunder Road Production President". Deadline. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  9. ^ Stewart, Andrew (January 6, 2016). "Open Road Taps Peter Lawson as Head of Production, Acquisitions". Variety. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  10. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (2021-07-21). "Basil Iwanyk's Thunder Road Names Erica Lee Partner". Deadline. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
  11. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (2022-02-01). "Eric Sherman Joins Thunder Road Films & game1 as Chief Legal Officer & General Counsel". Deadline. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
  12. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (July 21, 2011). "Feature Producer Basil Iwanyk Signs First-Look Deal With Sony Pictures TV". Deadline. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  13. ^ a b c McNary, Dave (May 17, 2013). "Cutting Edge, Thunder Road In Slate Deal". Variety. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  14. ^ McNary, Dave (June 23, 2014). "'Wrath of the Titans' Producer Thunder Road Allies With Film House Germany". Variety. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  15. ^ Jaafar, Ali (May 14, 2015). "Basil Iwanyk's Thunder Road Renewing Its Slate Deal With Cutting Edge Group". Deadline. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  16. ^ "Basil Iwanyk's Thunder Road, Redbox Launch Asbury Park Pictures; Making 12 Modest Budget Action Films over Three Years". 8 September 2020.
  17. ^ Vlessing, Etan (November 9, 2022). "'Falcon and the Winter Soldier' Director Kari Skogland to Helm 'Wind River' Sequel". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  18. ^ Kroll, Justin (2023-07-18). "A24's Mother Mary & Faith-Based Series The Chosen Among Indie Projects Given SAG-AFTRA Waiver That Allows Them To Shoot During Strike". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 2023-08-17.
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