Rogue Pictures – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Rogue (originally Rogue Pictures ) is an American independent production company founded in 1998 by Matt Wall and Patrick Gunn, which originally began as a genre film label of the Universal-affiliated independent film studio October Films and was based in Universal City, California. It was known for producing action, non-action, thriller, and horror films.

It was owned by October Films from 1998 to 1999, after which it merged with Gramercy Pictures to form USA Films until its original year of demise in 2000. In 2004, Rogue was revived by Focus Features, which retained the studio until 2009, when it was acquired by Relativity Media. In June 2012, Rogue and Relativity Media sold 30 of its films to Manchester Library Company, [1]​ which was acquired by Vine Alternative Investments in April 2017. [2]​

Era original de October Films (1998-2000)

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On April 2, 1998, Rogue Pictures was formed as a division of Universal Pictures’ October Films independent film label run by Patrick Gunn and Matt Wall in order to release genre films to compete with Miramax’s Dimension Films label. Rogue’s theatrical releases, much like Dimension did, would be handled by its parent company October Films, while video and television sales would be handled by October Films’ parent company Universal, and all foreign sales would be handled by Universal subsidiary Good Machine. [3]​

One of the first film projects/script acquisitions approved by Rogue was the film Cherry Fallswhile October’s first acquisition through the Rogue label was the film Orgasmalthough PolyGram Video handled the video rights to the film. [4]The genre’s predecessor was October Films’ affiliated production label Mad Dog Pictures, which was designed to release genre films. [5]The Rogue name was dropped in 2000 after October Films was absorbed into USA Films following the merger with Gramercy Pictures. [6]​

Focus Features/Universal Era (2004-2008)

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In 2004, the name and brand were revived as part of Universal-owned Focus Features, with the goal of “high-quality suspense, action, thriller and urban feature films with mainstream appeal and franchise potential.” [7]The revamped Rogue Pictures would be run by the same team that ran the Focus Features group, rather than having its own dedicated staff. [8]​

In 2005, Universal expanded the company’s operations to become an independent division with a new goal of releasing ten films a year. [9]Later that year, Universal and Rogue signed a deal with the newly formed Intrepid Pictures to produce, co-finance and distribute films for five years. [10]In 2007, distribution and marketing of Rogue Pictures films were moved to Universal in company-wide shifts to accommodate Focus Features, putting Rogue Pictures under greater control of the parent company. [11]​

Relativity Media and the era of independent companies (2008-2016)

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In 2008, Relativity Media approached Universal to buy the company, a move described in entertainment media as “bold.” [12]The following year, Relativity completed its acquisition of the company. At the time of the purchase, Rogue Pictures had more than two dozen titles in its library, four upcoming films, and more than thirty projects in development. [13]This deal was part of Relativity Media’s renewal of its deal with Universal Pictures that would run through 2015, with Universal retaining a distribution stake in future Rogue films. [14]On May 7, 2009, Relativity decided to spin off the Rogue brand into a consumer brand that was used by the studio. [15]​

1. ↑ US Copyright Office Document No V3617D065 2012-06-12
2. ↑ Hipes, Patrick (April 27, 2017). «New Village Roadshow Co-Owner Vine Acquires Manchester Film Library».
3. ↑ Roman, Monica (April 3, 1998). «Rogue of October». Variety (in American English). Retrieved January 1, 2022.
4. ↑ Roman, Monica (April 3, 1998). «Rogue of October». Variety (in American English). Retrieved January 2, 2022.
5. ↑ Frook, John Evan (April 8, 1993). «October buys rights to ‘Thrill‘». Variety (in American English). Retrieved January 1, 2022.
6. ↑ Peers, Martin (March 22, 1999). «Diller sez he ought to be back in pic biz». Variety (in American English). Retrieved January 2, 2022.
7. ↑ Mohr, Ian (March 25, 2004). «Uni’s Focus reveals Rogue plan». The Hollywood Reporter.
8. ↑ Rooney, David (March 25, 2004). «Focus widens lens with Rogue». Variety (in American English). Retrieved January 2, 2022.
9. ↑ Kilday, Gregg (May 19, 2005). «Uni’s Rogue given solo spot». The Hollywood Reporter.
10. ↑ Goldstein, Gregg (December 16, 2005). «Intrepid makes Rogue films». The Hollywood Reporter.
11. ↑ Goldstein, Gregg (October 16, 2007). «New Focus has Rogue Pictures under Universal». The Hollywood Reporter.
12. ↑ Zeitchik, Steven (October 23, 2008). «Bold gambit by Relativity’s Ryan Kavanaugh». The Hollywood Reporter.
13. ↑ Kit, Borys (January 4, 2009). «Relativity completes Rogue acquisition». The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 4, 2009.
14. ↑ Siegel, Tatiana (January 4, 2009). «Relativity reels in Rogue». Variety (in American English). Retrieved January 2, 2022.
15. ↑ Graser, Marc (May 7, 2009). «Relativity Media rolls dice on Rogue». Variety (in American English). Retrieved January 2, 2022.