Dr Tone does Rambo?

[aev]

Aston Villa Owner Said in Talks to Acquire Millennium Films (1)
2017-02-14 14:44:48.439 GMT


By Bloomberg News
(Bloomberg) -- The Chinese company that bought the U.K.’s
Aston Villa Football Club is nearing the purchase of a Hollywood
film producer behind action films such as “The Expendables” and
one of the “Rambo” sequels, according to people familiar with
the matter.
Recon Group, headed by Chairman Tony Xia, is in talks to
acquire the Millennium Films label, according to the people, who
asked not to be identified because the talks are private. The
purchase is likely to be made through Shenzhen-listed Recon
Wenyuan Cable Co., though there is no certainty that a deal will
be struck, they said.
Should a deal go through, Xia would join the growing number
of Chinese moguls that are buying their way into Hollywood and
western sports teams. Big studios such as Sony Pictures,
Paramount Pictures and Universal Pictures have teamed up with
Chinese companies for film funding and marketing partnerships.
A spokesman for Millennium Films declined to comment.
Wenyuan Cable, which has a market value of about $1.2 billion
and whose shares have been halted from trading since Jan. 26
pending an acquisition in the film industry, didn’t respond to
calls and an e-mail seeking comment.
Founded in 1996 by Avi Lerner and Trevor Short, Los
Angeles-based Millennium Films produced the three “Expendables”
movies, which have totaled more than $800 million worldwide,
according to researcher Box Office Mojo. The company produces,
finances and handles international sales for five to eight star-
driven movies a year, generally with budgets of between $20
million and $80 million, according to its website.
Other titles in its library include “Rambo,” “Olympus Has
Fallen,” and “The Mechanic” -- the action series featuring Jason
Statham, who’s so popular in China that the last “Mechanic”
movie collected more than twice the box office in China than it
did in America. He is set to star in “MEG,” a Chinese-U.S co-
production that’s scheduled for release in March 2018.
Xia, who holds a doctorate from Harvard University, gained
control of Wenyuan Cable -- a maker of wires and cables -- in
October and the company has since turned its focus toward
entertainment. Last year, Xia’s Recon Group -- a Beijing-based
conglomerate that has businesses in industries ranging from
health care to agriculture -- bought the Aston Villa team from
former Cleveland Browns owner Randy Lerner.
Chinese money has financed Hollywood blockbusters including
installments of the “Transformers, Mission: Impossible,” and
“Fast & Furious” franchises. Chinese conglomerate Dalian Wanda
Group went on a buying spree to become the largest theater
operator in the U.S. and also paid $3.5 billion for its own
American film production house, Legendary Entertainment. And
while the U.S. box office is stagnating, China’s market has been
growing at an unparalleled rate -- boosting global receipts for
the small number of American films shown there.
But as China’s foray into Hollywood deepens, some U.S.
lawmakers have called greater scrutiny over such deals.
President Trump’s rhetoric on China’s trade practices has added
further complications.

[Billy Walker]

I think Tony said in an interview last year that Recon were looking to invest/buy into three Hollywood studios: one a big six/eight studio, one mid-sized and one small - this must be the mid-sized acquisition?  The long and short of it, though, is that it further confirms he has substantial money behind him.

[aev]

I think Tony said in an interview last year that Recon were looking to invest/buy into three Hollywood studios: one a big six/eight studio, one mid-sized and one small - this must be the mid-sized acquisition?  The long and short of it, though, is that it further confirms he has substantial money behind him.

Remake of The Money Pit?

[Confusious says]

Can Rambo play centre forward!

[simon ward 50]

Can Rambo play centre forward!

He did!

[Salsa Party Animal]

Alan McInally
@AlanMcInally

is the guy for Villa around late 80s before moving to Bayern Munich.

I hope we will see Villa related films. ie Villa Trip in Germany 1930, The European Cup winning year, Tommy Ball murder, Legend of Charlie Athersmith and co.

[passport1]

Oh he's a film mogul now .

[pauliewalnuts]

Founded in 1996 by Avi Lerner and Trevor Short, Los
Angeles-based Millennium Films produced the three “Expendables”

You'd think he'd have learned his lesson about buying companies from Lerners.

[johnc]

Can Rambo play centre forward!

He did!

Even one armed he looked better than Our latest goal minder

[robbo1874]

He's clearly got a horror movie in the pipeline then

[Rudy65]

He's clearly got a horror movie in the pipeline then

Tonights first half would meet the criteria

[passport1]

He should make a disaster movie,thats assuming the studios are still open in 12 months.

[pbavfckuwait]

Thriller at the Villa

[ktvillan]

Expendables, Mission:Impossible and Transformers franchises could all be set at Villa Park/Bodymoor Heath.  Not too sure about Fast and Furious but we could start a new franchise called Slow and Ponderous.