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| products = ] | products = ]
| num_employees = | num_employees =
| parent = Independent<br />Pathé Communications<br />Public (pink sheets)<ref>{{cite news|last1=Galarza|first1=Pablo|title=Thank you, Joe Stalin|url=http://business.highbeam.com/392705/article-1G1-12270876/thank-you-joe-stalin|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141224223621/http://business.highbeam.com/392705/article-1G1-12270876/thank-you-joe-stalin|dead-url=yes|archive-date=December 24, 2014|accessdate=December 24, 2014|work=Forbes|date=July 6, 1992}}</ref> | parent = Independent (1971-1989)<br />Pathé Communications (1989-1992)<br />Public (pink sheets) (1992-1996)<ref>{{cite news|last1=Galarza|first1=Pablo|title=Thank you, Joe Stalin|url=http://business.highbeam.com/392705/article-1G1-12270876/thank-you-joe-stalin|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141224223621/http://business.highbeam.com/392705/article-1G1-12270876/thank-you-joe-stalin|dead-url=yes|archive-date=December 24, 2014|accessdate=December 24, 2014|work=Forbes|date=July 6, 1992}}</ref>
| subsid = | subsid =
}} }}
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==History== ==History==
It was formed sometime in 1971 as a production company and distributor as 21st Century Distribution Corporation. It was formed sometime in 1971 as a production company and distributor called 21st Century Distribution Corporation.


In the late 1980s, while filing for bankruptcy, it was purchased by ]. Pathé had also recently purchased ], which was renamed Pathé Communications, and he eventually handed 21st Century Film Corporation and ] and ] film rights (held by Cannon) over to Israeli filmmaker ] as part of Golan's severance package from Cannon.<ref name=bw>{{cite news|last1=Grover|first1=Ronald|title=Unraveling Spider-Man's Tangled Web|url=http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/apr2002/nf20020415_7441.htm|accessdate=January 22, 2007|work=Business Week|date=April 15, 2002}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Schmuckler|first1=Eric|title=Golan's latest gig|url=http://business.highbeam.com/392705/article-1G1-9121335/golan-latest-gig|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141224223623/http://business.highbeam.com/392705/article-1G1-9121335/golan-latest-gig|dead-url=yes|archive-date=December 24, 2014|accessdate=December 24, 2014|work=Forbes|via=Highbeam|date=June 25, 1990}}</ref> In the late 1980s, while filing for bankruptcy, it was purchased by ]. Parretti had also recently purchased ], which was renamed Pathé Communications, and he eventually handed 21st Century Film Corporation and the ] and ] film rights (held by Cannon) over to Israeli filmmaker ] as part of Golan's severance package from Cannon.<ref name=bw>{{cite news|last1=Grover|first1=Ronald|title=Unraveling Spider-Man's Tangled Web|url=http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/apr2002/nf20020415_7441.htm|accessdate=January 22, 2007|work=Business Week|date=April 15, 2002}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Schmuckler|first1=Eric|title=Golan's latest gig|url=http://business.highbeam.com/392705/article-1G1-9121335/golan-latest-gig|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141224223623/http://business.highbeam.com/392705/article-1G1-9121335/golan-latest-gig|dead-url=yes|archive-date=December 24, 2014|accessdate=December 24, 2014|work=Forbes|via=Highbeam|date=June 25, 1990}}</ref>


Golan's goal was to release high-quality motion pictures to the American and worldwide film audiences, but 21st Century only enjoyed small-scale success releasing low-budget films like '']'', art-house films like '']'', as well as remakes of '']'' and '']''. Golan's goal was to release high-quality motion pictures to film audiences in America and around the world, but 21st Century only enjoyed small-scale success releasing low-budget films like '']'', art-house films like '']'', and remakes of '']'' and '']''.


In April 1989, Twenty-first Century Film and Pathé Communications ended their film production contract. As part of the termination, 21st Century Film received rights to two feature-length movies: the completed ''Mack the Knife'', in production ''Phantom of the Opera'' plus other projects and scripts rights. While Pathé would no longer have any financial obligations to 21st Century.<ref>{{cite news|title=P. M. BRIEFING : 21st Century Film, Pathe to End Pact|url=http://articles.latimes.com/1989-04-14/business/fi-1985_1_twenty-first-pathe-original-film|accessdate=December 24, 2014|work=Los Angeles Times|agency=Times wire services|date=April 14, 1989}}</ref> In April 1989, 21st Century and Pathé Communications ended their film production contract. As part of the termination, 21st Century received rights to two feature-length movies: the completed ''Mack the Knife'', and ''Phantom of the Opera'' which was in production, plus other projects and scripts. Pathé would no longer have any financial obligations to 21st Century.<ref>{{cite news|title=P. M. BRIEFING : 21st Century Film, Pathe to End Pact|url=http://articles.latimes.com/1989-04-14/business/fi-1985_1_twenty-first-pathe-original-film|accessdate=December 24, 2014|work=Los Angeles Times|agency=Times wire services|date=April 14, 1989}}</ref>


'']'' was filmed and was given only a limited theatrical release worldwide. '']'' was filmed and was only given a limited theatrical release worldwide.


Looking for funding for the Spider-Man film was difficult; 21st Century sold the film's TV rights to ], the home-video rights to Columbia and theatrical rights to ]. In 1993, Golan triggered a series of lawsuits for 21st Century over Spider-Man as he feared being pushed out. Bankruptcy followed within the year for the company. In 1995, the judge ruled that the Spider-Man film rights expired and reverted to Marvel.<ref name=bw/> Meanwhile, all of 21st Century's film library and assets were acquired by ] (which had merged with Pathé/Cannon earlier and was a theatrical distributor of Carolco's films at the time), mostly due to a ] by Carolco.<ref>{{cite web|last=Macek III|first=J.C.|title=The Rise Fall and Rise of Marvel Comics on Film Part 2: The Road Out of Development Hell|date=9 June 2014|publisher='']''|url=http://www.popmatters.com/column/182254-the-rise-fall-and-rise-of-marvel-comics-on-film-part-2-the-long-hard/|accessdate=29 March 2015}}</ref> Looking for funding for the Spider-Man film was difficult; 21st Century sold the TV rights for the film to ], the home video rights to ] and the theatrical rights to ]. In 1993, Golan triggered a series of lawsuits against 21st Century over Spider-Man as he feared being pushed out. Bankruptcy followed within the year for the company. In 1995, the judge ruled that the Spider-Man film rights expired and reverted to Marvel.<ref name=bw/> Meanwhile, all of 21st Century's film library and assets were acquired by ] (which had merged with Pathé/Cannon earlier and was a theatrical distributor of Carolco's films at the time), mostly due to a ] by Carolco.<ref>{{cite web|last=Macek III|first=J.C.|title=The Rise Fall and Rise of Marvel Comics on Film Part 2: The Road Out of Development Hell|date=9 June 2014|publisher='']''|url=http://www.popmatters.com/column/182254-the-rise-fall-and-rise-of-marvel-comics-on-film-part-2-the-long-hard/|accessdate=29 March 2015}}</ref>


In 1993, it released a few more movies including '']'' and most notably '']'', the last in the series and ]'s final theatrical film. In 1993, it released a few more movies including '']'' and most notably '']'', the last in the series and ]'s final theatrical film.


Currently, the majority of 21st Century Film Corporation's film catalog is owned by MGM Studios, with the exception of ''Night of the Living Dead'' and ], both which were distributed by ] and are currently owned by parent company ]. Currently, the majority of 21st Century Film Corporation's film catalog is owned by MGM Studios, with the exception of ''Night of the Living Dead'' and '']'', both which were distributed by ] and are currently owned by parent company ].


==Partial filmography== ==Partial filmography==
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*1984: '']'' *1984: '']''
*1985: '']'' (now owned by ]) *1985: '']'' (now owned by ])
*1989: '']''(released by ]) *1989: '']'' (released by ])
*1989: '']'' *1989: '']''
*1989: ''Bullseye!''(released by ]) *1989: ''Bullseye!'' (released by ])
*1989: '']'' *1989: '']''
*1990: '']'' (released by ]) *1990: '']'' (released by ])
*1990: '']''(released by ]) *1990: '']'' (released by ])
*1990: '']'' (released by ]) *1990: '']'' (released by ])
*1990: '']''(released by ] in the USA) *1990: '']'' (released by ] in the USA)
*1991: '']''(released by ]) *1991: '']'' (released by ])
*1991: '']''(released by ]) *1991: '']'' (released by ])
*1992: ''Prison Planet''(released by ]) *1992: ''Prison Planet'' (released by ])
*1992: '']''(released by ]) *1992: '']'' (released by ])
*1993: '']''(released by ]) *1993: '']'' (released by ])
*1993: '']''(released by ]) *1993: '']'' (released by ])
*1993: '']''(released by ]) *1993: '']'' (released by ])
*1994: '']'' (released by ]) *1994: '']'' (released by ])
*1995: ''Russian Roulette - Moscow 95'' *1995: ''Russian Roulette - Moscow 95''

Revision as of 16:22, 23 June 2019

Not to be confused with 21st Century Fox or 21st Century Fox (disambiguation).
21st Century Film Corporation Inc.
File:21stcenturyfilmcorporation.png
IndustryMotion Picture Production & Releasing
Founded1971 (as 21st Century Distribution Corporation)
April 1989 (as 21st Century Film Corporation)
DefunctMarch 24, 1996
FateBankruptcy
SuccessorMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer
HeadquartersLos Angeles
Key peopleMenahem Golan (CEO), Ami Artzi & Giancarlo Parretti
ProductsMotion pictures
ParentIndependent (1971-1989)
Pathé Communications (1989-1992)
Public (pink sheets) (1992-1996)

21st Century Film Corporation was a theatrical distribution company formed sometime in 1971 as a production company and distributor. Menahem Golan has served as CEO of the company from 1989 to the company's bankruptcy.

History

It was formed sometime in 1971 as a production company and distributor called 21st Century Distribution Corporation.

In the late 1980s, while filing for bankruptcy, it was purchased by Giancarlo Parretti. Parretti had also recently purchased The Cannon Group, which was renamed Pathé Communications, and he eventually handed 21st Century Film Corporation and the Spider-Man and Captain America film rights (held by Cannon) over to Israeli filmmaker Menahem Golan as part of Golan's severance package from Cannon.

Golan's goal was to release high-quality motion pictures to film audiences in America and around the world, but 21st Century only enjoyed small-scale success releasing low-budget films like Bullseye!, art-house films like Eraserhead, and remakes of The Phantom of the Opera and Night of the Living Dead.

In April 1989, 21st Century and Pathé Communications ended their film production contract. As part of the termination, 21st Century received rights to two feature-length movies: the completed Mack the Knife, and Phantom of the Opera which was in production, plus other projects and scripts. Pathé would no longer have any financial obligations to 21st Century.

Captain America was filmed and was only given a limited theatrical release worldwide.

Looking for funding for the Spider-Man film was difficult; 21st Century sold the TV rights for the film to Viacom, the home video rights to Columbia TriStar and the theatrical rights to Carolco. In 1993, Golan triggered a series of lawsuits against 21st Century over Spider-Man as he feared being pushed out. Bankruptcy followed within the year for the company. In 1995, the judge ruled that the Spider-Man film rights expired and reverted to Marvel. Meanwhile, all of 21st Century's film library and assets were acquired by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (which had merged with Pathé/Cannon earlier and was a theatrical distributor of Carolco's films at the time), mostly due to a quitclaim deed by Carolco.

In 1993, it released a few more movies including Deadly Heroes and most notably Death Wish V: The Face of Death, the last in the series and Charles Bronson's final theatrical film.

Currently, the majority of 21st Century Film Corporation's film catalog is owned by MGM Studios, with the exception of Night of the Living Dead and The Forbidden Dance, both which were distributed by Columbia Pictures and are currently owned by parent company Sony Pictures.

Partial filmography

References

  1. Galarza, Pablo (July 6, 1992). "Thank you, Joe Stalin". Forbes. Archived from the original on December 24, 2014. Retrieved December 24, 2014. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ Grover, Ronald (April 15, 2002). "Unraveling Spider-Man's Tangled Web". Business Week. Retrieved January 22, 2007.
  3. Schmuckler, Eric (June 25, 1990). "Golan's latest gig". Forbes. Archived from the original on December 24, 2014. Retrieved December 24, 2014 – via Highbeam. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  4. "P. M. BRIEFING : 21st Century Film, Pathe to End Pact". Los Angeles Times. Times wire services. April 14, 1989. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
  5. Macek III, J.C. (9 June 2014). "The Rise Fall and Rise of Marvel Comics on Film Part 2: The Road Out of Development Hell". PopMatters. Retrieved 29 March 2015. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)

External links

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