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Rogue Pictures

Rogue (originally Rogue Pictures) is an American film distributor founded in 1998 by Matt Wall and Patrick Gunn. It originally started off as a genre film label of the Universal Pictures-affiliated independent film studio October Films and was based in Universal City, California.

It was owned by October Films from 1998 to 1999, after which October was sold to USA Networks and merged with Interscope Communications and Gramercy Pictures to form USA Films. In 2004, Rogue was revived by Focus Features, which retained the studio until 2009, when it was acquired by Relativity Media, which declared its second and final bankruptcy in 2018.

History

Original October Films era (1998–1999)

On April 2, 1998, Rogue Pictures was formed as a division of the Universal Pictures' independent film label October Films, led 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 in the same manner like Dimension did, would be handled by its parent company October Films, with video and television sales handled by October Films' parent company Universal, and all foreign sales would be handled by fellow Universal subsidiary Good Machine.[1]

One of the first film projects/script acquisitions greenlit by Rogue was the film Cherry Falls, while the first acquisition via the Rogue label was the film Orgazmo, although PolyGram Video handled the video rights of the film.[2][3] The Rogue name was dropped in 1999 after October Films was absorbed into USA Films following the merger with Interscope Communications and Gramercy Pictures.[4]

Focus Features era (2004–2009)

In 2004, the name and branding was revived as part of the Universal-owned Focus Features, with a goal of "high-quality suspense, action, thriller and urban features with mainstream appeal and franchise potential".[5] The revived Rogue Pictures would be led by the same team who led the Focus Features group, rather than having its own dedicated staff.[6]

In 2005, Universal expanded the company's operations to become a stand-alone division with a new goal of releasing ten films annually.[7] Later that year, Universal and Rogue signed a deal with newly formed Intrepid Pictures to produce, co-finance, and distribute films for five years.[8] 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.[9]

Relativity Media era (2008–2018)

In 2008, Relativity Media approached Universal about buying the company, a move described in the entertainment media as "bold."[10] The following year, Relativity completed acquisition of the company.[11] This deal was part of Relativity Media reupping its agreement with Universal Pictures that would extend until 2015, and Universal would retain a distribution stake in future Rogue films.[12] On May 7, 2009, Relativity decided to turn the Rogue branding into a consumer brand that was used by the studio.[13]

In June 2012, Rogue and Relativity Media sold 30 of their films to Manchester Library Company,[14] which was acquired by Vine Alternative Investments in April 2017.[15]

Films

References

  1. Monica Roman. Rogue of October Variety, 1998-04-03, retrieved 2022-01-01^
  2. Monica Roman. Rogue of October Variety, 1998-04-03, retrieved 2022-01-02^
  3. John Evan Frook. October buys rights to 'Thrill' Variety, 1993-04-08, retrieved 2022-01-01^
  4. Martin Peers. Diller sez he ought to be back in pic biz Variety, 1999-03-22, retrieved 2022-01-02^
  5. Ian Mohr. Uni's Focus reveals Rogue plan The Hollywood Reporter, March 25, 2004^
  6. David Rooney. Focus widens lens with Rogue Variety, 2004-03-25, retrieved 2022-01-02^
  7. Gregg Kilday. Uni's Rogue given solo spot The Hollywood Reporter, May 19, 2005^
  8. Gregg Goldstein. Intrepid makes Rogue films The Hollywood Reporter, December 16, 2005^
  9. Gregg Goldstein. New Focus has Rogue Pictures under Universal The Hollywood Reporter, October 16, 2007^
  10. Steven Zeitchik. Bold gambit by Relativity's Ryan Kavanaugh The Hollywood Reporter, October 23, 2008^
  11. Borys Kit. Relativity completes Rogue acquisition The Hollywood Reporter, January 4, 2009, retrieved January 4, 2009^
  12. Tatiana Siegel. Relativity reels in Rogue Variety, 2009-01-04, retrieved 2022-01-02^
  13. Marc Graser. Relativity Media rolls dice on Rogue Variety, 2009-05-07, retrieved 2022-01-02^
  14. US Copyright Office Document No V3617D065 2012-06-12^
  15. Patrick Hipes. New Village Roadshow Co-Owner Vine Acquires Manchester Film Library April 27, 2017^
  16. Ryan Gajewski. André Holland, Zazie Beetz, Kate Mara's 'The Dutchman' Sets Early 2026 Release The Hollywood Reporter, 26 November 2025, retrieved 26 November 2025^