Netflix Could Buy EuropaCorp before the Summer

Megalith

Megalith

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Netflix is reportedly in advanced talks to acquire EuropaCorp, the studio behind the Transporter and Taken franchises. The company was originally founded in 1996 by Luc Besson (director/writer of classics such as Léon: The Professional), who is expected to continue overseeing the creative side of the company.

The proposed deal would also make a lot of sense for Netflix, who has been making a big push for original films, especially those blockbuster films that would normally be reserved for the big screen. Last year saw “Bright” released on the streaming service, which carried an almost-$100 million budget, and was so successful (at least with viewers, definitely not with critics) that Netflix quickly greenlit a sequel.
 
Croak said:
Luc Beson has a particular set of skills.
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Just finished looking at "The Fifth Element". One of his (IMHO) best. But he also gave birth to "Taken", "The Professional", "The transporter" and "Lucy". His last film had a budget over 200 million but barely made it back - "Valerian and the *something* Planets". He was married to "The fifth element (Mila jokovich)" but also dated a 14 year old who he later married - (allowed in france)?

Since he directs, writes and produces its a win for Netflix as long as he is part of the deal and just doesnt take the money and run. Also did a few music videos and TV.
 
As long as we don't get a string of nonstop edited shots like the Jason Bourne series, hopefully this might bump up their ability to do action scenes believably. One of my biggest complaints about bright were the atrocious car chase scenes that just looked horrible, adding to the uneven production values that plagued the movie.
 
Khahhblaab said:
Just finished looking at "The Fifth Element". One of his (IMHO) best. But he also gave birth to "Taken", "The Professional", "The transporter" and "Lucy". His last film had a budget over 200 million but barely made it back - "Valerian and the *something* Planets". He was married to "The fifth element (Mila jokovich)" but also dated a 14 year old who he later married - (allowed in france)?

Since he directs, writes and produces its a win for Netflix as long as he is part of the deal and just doesnt take the money and run. Also did a few music videos and TV.
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You looked him up but forgot his best film, La Femme Nikita or Subway?
 
What I'd like to see is someone gobble up all the media firms and then provide one nice streaming service with everything on it for one simple price (well ok I don't stream much but if I did). Yeah, I know, no competition, but in this case it seems too much competition has fragmented the market rather badly...or do the cable companies pay for this fragmentation to happen (evil cable company conspiracy theory #21313)?
 
Cue media conglomerate teeth nashing about companies with tech company valuations finding it easier to make acquisitions.
 
WhoMe said:
or do the cable companies pay for this fragmentation to happen (evil cable company conspiracy theory #21313)?
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Isn't that what many cord-cutters wanted? Only paying for what they wanted and not having to pay for shows and channels that they're forced to get in a bundle?
 
Khahhblaab said:
Just finished looking at "The Fifth Element". One of his (IMHO) best. But he also gave birth to "Taken", "The Professional", "The transporter" and "Lucy". His last film had a budget over 200 million but barely made it back - "Valerian and the *something* Planets". He was married to "The fifth element (Mila jokovich)" but also dated a 14 year old who he later married - (allowed in france)?

Since he directs, writes and produces its a win for Netflix as long as he is part of the deal and just doesnt take the money and run. Also did a few music videos and TV.
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Valerian was in some ways considered the spiritual sequel to the fifth element. Although it didn’t have a loaded cast, it did have a lot of the atmosphere. But it lacked imagination, cool music or any kind of good comedy.
 
Trimlock said:
Valerian was in some ways considered the spiritual sequel to the fifth element. Although it didn’t have a loaded cast, it did have a lot of the atmosphere. But it lacked imagination, cool music or any kind of good comedy.
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other way around.. Valérian and Laureline was a 60's french comic that luc besson grew up reading.. he felt the technology wasn't there yet to do what he wanted in 1997 and instead did fifth element which is loosely based on the same world that Valérian and Laureline takes place in.
 
The whole news page seems like one huge april fools. lol.
 
sirmonkey1985 said:
other way around.. Valérian and Laureline was a 60's french comic that luc besson grew up reading.. he felt the technology wasn't there yet to do what he wanted in 1997 and instead did fifth element which is loosely based on the same world that Valérian and Laureline takes place in.
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My wife & I are big fans of the original "Heavy Metal" magazines and loved the original movie. She explained to me how the cab story in the beginning is the source material for Fifth Element(pretty obvious). The writer for that also did a movie called Immortal, and something to the effect of them being French and involved with the creation of Heavy Metal back in the day.
 
spacecowboy863 said:
spoiler alert: netflix will launch a series on taken and transporter both starring nicholas cage
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It'd be funny though if they kept Liam for Taken. I saw a comedian do a sketch on them and basically just punned how this guy is simply just a bad parent/care taker. Loses every family member he's left to look after. They proceeded to Taken IX and he's reduced to being a local dog walker. You could see where that's heading.
 
SLee said:
Isn't that what many cord-cutters wanted? Only paying for what they wanted and not having to pay for shows and channels that they're forced to get in a bundle?
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Yes, what we don't want is having to pay for a bunch of different services to get access to one or two shows on each. Back in the 90's this is what we were promised with satellite, but it never came through, to get the few channels I wanted I had to go for the most expensive packages, a-la-carte never materialized.
 
Khahhblaab said:
His last film had a budget over 200 million but barely made it back - "Valerian and the *something* Planets"
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Because it's a steaming pile of *****


It's so bad i feel queasy just thinking about it.
 
thesmokingman said:
You looked him up but forgot his best film, La Femme Nikita or Subway?
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:cool:
Somewhat. Just saw "The Fifth" and needed a reminder as to how his last picture did. I like big Sci-fi and remembered that although it had a crazy budget -1/5 of the way to a billion - it wasn't doing well in the movies last I checked. Quick search and other reminders of his filmography. Only placed the ones that I had a feeling for. I dont remember "Nikita" and never saw "Subway".

Search was a reminder.

I could have pleaded "The Fifth" ;) but its all good......
 
Trimlock said:
Valerian was in some ways considered the spiritual sequel to the fifth element. Although it didn’t have a loaded cast, it did have a lot of the atmosphere. But it lacked imagination, cool music or any kind of good comedy.
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....I am still "Taken" (npi) as to how well the Chris tucker character played out in "The Fifth". He is one funny dude and I would like to know how a producer goes about giving a screen test for a character that comes off like he did. Really funny. When I finally see "Valerian" I will understand what you mean......not even a funny moment :cool:

Tucker has a Netflix deal too.
 
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