Regency Enterprises

Regency Enterprises, Inc. is an American entertainment company formed by Arnon Milchan. It was founded on July 12, 1991 as the successor to Regency International Pictures (formerly known as Embassy International Pictures N.V.). It has offices in West Hollywood, California, London, and Luxembourg City.

History

Origins (1982–1991)

Arnon Milchan founded his company as Embassy International Pictures N.V., which held the name for seven years until it was changed to Regency International Pictures. This company originally had no distribution deal of producing films with various studios such as The Ladd Company, Columbia Pictures, TriStar Pictures, Warner Bros., Touchstone Pictures, Vestron Pictures, Universal Pictures and 20th Century Fox (now known as 20th Century Studios), with the latter ending up being the distributor of the majority of Regency's library. It produced films such as Once Upon a Time in America and Q&A, but was shut down in 1991.

New Regency (1991–present)

On January 15, 1991, Milchan and Regency, as well as Scriba & Deyle of Germany and Canal+ of France, formed a $600 million joint venture to finance 20 films in five years, all of which were to be distributed by Warner Bros.[4] Therefore, Regency International Pictures became the holding company for all Milchan’s investments and was legally renamed as Regency Enterprises (doing business as Arnon Milchan Enterprises) and two new companies (both 100% held by Regency Enterprises) were established to produce movies: one to do business in the United States and legally named Regency Entertainment (USA), Inc., one to do business overseas and legally named Monarchy Enterprises S.á.r.l. and both known under the umbrella trade name of Regency or New Regency Productions.[5] The offices of New Regency were located on the Warner Bros. lot.

Founder Arnon Milchan's daughter Alexandra Milchan headed their offshoot "Regency Vision", originally intended as a competitor to companies like New Line Cinema's Fine Line Features, a "specialty features" division.[6]

On March 24, 1999, Regency executive David Matalon joined the supervisory board of Puma AG, an international sports company. At the time, Regency Enterprises (the holding company) was the largest single shareholder in Puma, with more than a 25% stake.[7] The stake was sold for $676 million in May 2003.[8]

On September 9, 1997, Milchan signed a 15-year distribution pact with 20th Century Fox worldwide in all media with the exception of foreign television rights, ending the previous association with Warner Bros. (1991–1999). Fox also funneled $200 million in New Regency, in exchange for a 20% stake in the company.[9] The company’s offices were moved to the Fox lot (where are still located). On January 17, 2011, Fox and New Regency extended the pact, to expire in 2022.[10]

On May 21, 2008, they hired Hutch Parker as co-chairman of the studio.[11] He would eventually left the post on January 11, 2012.[12] In July of that same year New Regency announced that they launched a film production joint venture with British-based entertainment production company Shine Group to launch Shine Pictures with the former's Hutch Parker & Bob Harper joining the new subsidiary along with Shine Group's CEO Elizabeth Murdoch.[13]

In June 2012, New Regency announced that they formed a deal with EMJAG Digital Production and Shine America to create and distribute digital content. Under the deal with EMJAG Digital Productions, New Regency along with Shine America will co-produce and co-finance select digital products under a first-look deal with EMJAG's previous deal with Paramount being transferred to New Regency and Shine America.[14][15]

In May 2016, New Regency announced that Brad Weston had stepped of the company as CEO and president after five years as Yariv Milchan the son of New Regency's founder Arnon Milchan had joined the company and became their new chairman and CEO.[2]

In January 2019, New Regency re-formed its international sales team to take back control of its international television licensing activities.

The Walt Disney Company inherited Fox's stake in New Regency Productions after Disney acquired 21st Century Fox's assets on March 20, 2019.[16] Following the acquisition, 20th Century Fox and Fox Searchlight Pictures became divisions of Walt Disney Studios and were renamed 20th Century Studios and Searchlight Pictures, respectively, on January 17, 2020.[17] On December 13, 2021, New Regency renewed their global distribution deal with Disney.[18][19] This includes Disney's handling of global theatrical distribution, home entertainment, and first pay rights for New Regency. New Regency's sales team, led by Charlotte Thorp and primarily based out of London, United Kingdom will handle all other television and SVOD rights after the first pay window as well as other business development.[20]

In May 2022, New Regency joined forces with Black Bear Pictures to launch a documentary production unit entitled Double Agent to produce and finance premium documentaries, with Dana O'Keefe appointed as its president.[21]

In June 2025, New Regency began a partnership with Shamrock Capital.[22]

New Regency has at least 100 movies to its credit. The company produced 2013's 12 Years a Slave, 2014's Birdman, and 2015's The Revenant, which earned the company two Academy Awards for Best Picture in a row, and three nominations.

New Regency Television International

New Regency Television International (formerly known as Regency Television) is a joint venture between Regency Enterprises and Fox Television Studios founded in 1998. Regency's best-known television shows include The WB/UPN sci-fi drama Roswell and the Fox sitcoms Malcolm in the Middle and The Bernie Mac Show.

On July 17, 2007, Regency Television shut down all production and closed its business after nine years in operation. On January 17, 2011, New Regency announced a return to the television business after 20th Century Fox extended its distribution business with Regency until 2022. Since New Regency re-formed its international sales team to take back control of its international television licensing activities in January 2019, Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution now handles domestic television rights to 1984's Once Upon a Time in America and the 1991–1999 Regency Enterprises library (except 1993's Six Degrees of Separation).

New Regency Television International launched at the start of 2019. Based out of London and drawing from New Regency's long-established relationships with the best writing, directing and producing talent, the division is focused on developing and producing high-end, authored and distinctive scripted content for the international marketplace.[23]

Investments

Current

  • New Regency Productions (80%) (a joint venture between Regency Enterprises and 20th Century Studios)
  • New Regency Television International (formerly known as Regency Television) (50%) (a joint venture between Regency Enterprises and 20th Television)
  • Double Agent (50%) (a joint venture between New Regency and Black Bear Pictures)[24]

Former

  • Restless Records: Rock recording company, sold to Rykodisc in 2001.
  • Puma AG (25%): International sports company. Sold in May 2003.
  • BabyFirst (30%): cable channel in U.S. aimed at 0–3 year olds, sold to First Media.

Films

Feature films

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010s

2020s

Upcoming

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010s

2020s

Upcoming

Television

1990s

2000s

2020s

Upcoming

Television films/pilots

1990s

2000s

1990s

2000s

References

  1. MONARCHY ENTERPRISES S.A.R.L.^
  2. Kim Masters. New Regency CEO Brad Weston Exits (Exclusive) The Hollywood Reporter, May 2, 2016^
  3. Manori Ravindran. New Regency, Black Bear Pictures Form JV Double Agent for Documentaries, Cinetic’s Dana O’Keefe to Serve as President Variety, May 12, 2022^
  4. 3 European Companies to Back Warner : Film: The deal culminates the studio's months-long search for foreign investors. The new partners expect to make at least 20 films. Los Angeles Times, January 15, 1991, retrieved March 12, 2021^
  5. Billboard (September 3, 2005), page 85.^
  6. Alexandra Milchan Exits New Regency Post, Signs First-Look Deal with Company (Exclusive) November 6, 2013^
  7. Puma picks pic pair Variety, March 24, 1999^
  8. Los Angeles Magazine, May 2003^
  9. Claudia Eller. Milchan Leaving Warner for 20th Century Fox Los Angeles Times, September 9, 1997^
  10. Nikki Finke. Fox To Distribute New Regency Thru 2022 Deadline Hollywood, January 17, 2011^
  11. Nikki Finke. Hutch Parker Exits Fox For New Regency; Ends Months of Speculation About His Exit Deadline, May 21, 2008, retrieved May 6, 2020^
  12. Rachel Abrams. Hutch Parker closing Fox first-look deal Variety, January 12, 2012, retrieved May 6, 2020^
  13. Stuart Kemp. U.K. is focus of Shine-New Regency pact The Hollywood Reporter, July 24, 2008, retrieved September 16, 2024^
  14. Lesley Goldberg. Shine, New Regency Pact for Digital Partnership The Hollywood Reporter, June 14, 2012, retrieved September 16, 2024^
  15. David McNary. Shine, Emjag, New Regency partner on prod’n Variety, June 14, 2012, retrieved September 16, 2024^
  16. Pamela McClintock, Paul Bond. Anxiety, AWOL Executives and "Bloodshed": How Disney Is Making 21st Century Fox Disappear The Hollywood Reporter, February 6, 2019, retrieved August 13, 2019^
  17. Mia Galuppo. Disney Drops "Fox" From 20th Century, Searchlight Logos The Hollywood Reporter, January 17, 2020, retrieved January 17, 2020^
  18. Etan Vlessing. New Regency Extends Film Distribution Deal With Disney The Hollywood Reporter, December 13, 2021, retrieved January 5, 2022^
  19. Anthony D'Alessandro. Ben Affleck-Ana De Armas Movie 'Deep Water' Heading To Streaming, Amazon Deadline Hollywood, December 13, 2021, retrieved December 14, 2021^
  20. International Regency Enterprises, retrieved September 24, 2022^
  21. Manori Ravindran. New Regency, Black Bear Pictures Form JV Double Agent for Documentaries, Cinetic's Dana O'Keefe to Serve as President Variety, May 12, 2022^
  22. Anthony D'Alessandro. New Regency Partners With Shamrock Capital, Investment Firm Acquires Participation In Studio’s Film & TV Library Deadline Hollywood, June 18, 2025, retrieved June 19, 2025^
  23. Regency Television Regency Enterprises, retrieved May 24, 2022^
  24. Manori Ravindran. New Regency, Black Bear Pictures Form JV Double Agent for Documentaries, Cinetic’s Dana O’Keefe to Serve as President Variety, May 12, 2022^
  25. Zack Sharf. Robert Eggers Eyes All-Star Cast for 10th Century Viking Drama 'The Northman' — First Details Indiewire, October 16, 2019, retrieved December 19, 2019^
  26. Andreas Wiseman. George Mackay, Kelly Macdonald & Hugh Bonneville Lead Cast In Netflix Thriller 'I Came By' For Director Babak Anvari Deadline Hollywood, July 20, 2021, retrieved September 1, 2021^
  27. Danielle Turchiano. 'Barbarian' Trailer Explores The Haunted Horror Of Home Rentals Metacritic, June 23, 2022^
  28. Mike Jr. Fleming. David O. Russell And Christian Bale In Talks For Big Film At New Regency Deadline Hollywood, January 16, 2020, retrieved January 13, 2021^
  29. Danny McBride, Gemma Chan & Benedict Wong Eyed To Join John David Washington In Gareth Edwards' Next Film At New Regency June 24, 2021^
  30. Andreas Wiseman. A24 & New Regency Aboard For Steve McQueen WWII Documentary Occupied City Deadline, January 7, 2022, retrieved January 7, 2022^
  31. Justin Kroll, Andreas Wiseman. Jodie Comer, Austin Butler & Tom Hardy To Lead Ensemble For Jeff Nichols' The Bikeriders At New Regency Deadline Hollywood, August 4, 2022, retrieved September 1, 2022^
  32. Anthony D'Alessandro. The Bikeriders Vrooms Into Summer After Focus Features Takes Over New Regency Pic Deadline Hollywood, December 8, 2023, retrieved December 8, 2023^
  33. Steve McQueen Sets Next Film 'Blitz' At New Regency, Where He Made Oscar-Winner '12 Years A Slave' November 10, 2021^
  34. Justin Kroll. Apple Lands Steve McQueen's Next Film 'Blitz' Deadline Hollywood, June 6, 2022, retrieved June 7, 2022^
  35. Justin Kroll. 'Watch Dogs' Movie In The Works At New Regency With 'Talk To Me' Breakout Sophie Wilde Starring Deadline Hollywood, March 8, 2024, retrieved March 8, 2024^
  36. Justin Kroll. New Regency Adapting Cormac McCarthy's Blood Meridian Into Feature Film With John Hillcoat Directing Deadline Hollywood, April 28, 2023, retrieved April 28, 2023^
  37. Justin Kroll. New Regency And Maximum Effort To Adapt 'Eight Perfect Murders' With Harry Bradbeer Set To Direct Deadline Hollywood, August 16, 2024, retrieved August 16, 2024^
  38. Matt Grobar. New Regency Lands Erotic Thriller Spec ‘Fixation’ From ‘Wednesday’s Erika Vazquez & Siena Butterfield; Made Up Stories Producing Deadline Hollywood, August 20, 2025, retrieved October 23, 2025^
  39. Matt Grobar. New Regency Lands Thriller Short Story “They’re Still Here” From Stephen Herman In Competitive Bidding Deadline Hollywood, July 16, 2025, retrieved October 23, 2025^
  40. Matt Grobar. New Regency Lands Action-Thriller Short Story “Carrier” From Aaron Benjamin; Mortal Media To Produce Deadline Hollywood, February 4, 2026, retrieved February 7, 2026^
  41. Matt Grobar. New Regency Snaps Up Espionage Thriller Spec ‘Panic Officer’ From Ben Ripley Deadline Hollywood, February 18, 2026, retrieved February 18, 2026^
  42. Justin Kroll. Seth Rogen And Elle Fanning Eyeing 'Chippendales' Pic Starring Dev Patel Deadline, December 9, 2021, retrieved January 9, 2022^