Global Showbiz Briefs: UK Netflix, Bérénice Bejo, UltraViolet In Oz
Netflix Nabs ‘Hunger Games’ For The UK & Ireland
Netflix has secured exclusive rights to The Hunger Games for the UK and Ireland before it hits the streaming service in the U.S. Netflix entered the market in January 2012 where Amazon’s Lovefilm is a strong player and where Sky continues to build its business. It hit 1M subscribers last August and has UK deals with studios including Disney, Fox, NBCU, Paramount and Miramax.
Bérénice Bejo To Star In ‘Le Dernier Diamant’
The Artist star Bérénice Bejo has booked her latest French film and will start shooting next week. The Eric Barbier-directed Le Dernier Diamant co-stars Yvan Attal, Jean-François Stévenin and Annie Cordy. France’s Vertigo Productions is producing with international sales handled by Other Angle Pictures. The heist movie follows an ex-con who is coerced into participating in the theft of a celebrated diamond during an auction in Antwerp and who becomes entangled with the diamond’s owner (Bejo).
UltraViolet’s Oz Debut To Include ‘The Hobbit’
Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey will be among the first titles released on UltraViolet in Australia in May, Deadline has learned. All U.S. majors (except Disney) and leading independents are teaming up to ensure a smooth launch. The industry hopes UV will help arrest the decline in home entertainment revenues. The sector in Oz raked in $A1.05 billion ($1.07 billion) in 2012, down 13% on the prior year according to the Australian Home Entertainment Distributors Association. DVD revenues fell by 18% to $843 million while Blu-ray grew by 13% to $208 million. AHEDA CEO Simon Bush estimates digital sales of films and TV totalled $110-$120 million, a hefty spike from 2011’s $66 million. “When comparing UK and Asia Pacific sales numbers, we are performing comparatively well” says Bush who predicts “UltraViolet will spur interest” and reduce piracy. - Don Groves
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