Over the decades since its founding in 1979, Miramax established its fame as one of the leading independent production companies in Hollywood. It offered a wide-ranging slate of original movies included SCREAM, GOOD WILL HUNTING, SCARY MOVIE, SPY KIDS, the BRIDGET JONES series, KILL BILL and many, many others.
However, the company’s fortunes were shattered by the spectacular and public disgrace of its leader, Harvey Weinstein. Miramax is now led by Jonathan Glickman, whose resume includes leading roles at other production companies that include Caravan, Spyglass Entertainment, and MGM Studios.
This week, Variety published a profile of Glickman and his effort to restore Miramax’s reputation by following a new approach to working with filmmakers while honoring Miramax’s track record of bringing prestigious films to mainstream audiences.
A prime example of Glickman’s new approach is his handling of the upcoming reboot of the memorable comic horror series of SCARY MOVIE films. Last year, Glickman reached out to Keenan, Shawn, and Marlon Wayans, who collaborated to write and direct the first two films in the series.
The brothers remained bitter over the raw deal they experienced with Miramax, which took control of the franchise. The brothers were forced out after the first two movies in the series, and did not have any role in the sequels that were released in 2003, 2006, and 2013.
By offering the Wayans brothers creative control and an equity share of the new project, Glickman was successful in convincing them to sign on to SCARY MOVIE 6, which is currently in development and scheduled to be released next year. Glickman has struck similar, talent-friendly deals with stars Sydney Sweeney, Colman Domingo, and Liam Neeson to work with Miramax on original, mid-budget movies.
