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Wikipedia / Virtual Studios

Virtual Studios LLC was an American film financier, distributor and production studio based in the United States.

History

Establishment and early years

Virtual Studios was founded by film producer Benjamin Waisbren in 2005 as a film financier and media company. The funding was backed by the hedge fund Stark Investments, where he worked at the time of founding.

Film industry

The companies first film production and financing credits were the romantic comedy film Duane Hopwood and the dystopian political thriller film V for Vendetta in 2005. In 2006, they signed a deal to produce and finance films in association with Warner Bros. Their next films (Poseidon, V for Vendetta, The Good German and 300) were all distributed by Warner Bros. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford was their last film they co-produced for Warner Bros. and the deal was signed off. Their last film was Bangkok Dangerous and the company was left dormant after the film became a box-office flop.

Virtual Films

Virtual Studios started a film distribution company called Virtual Films in early 2006. The company was short-lived and only lasted a year, and it was shut down in 2007. First Born was the only film that Virtual Films distributed.

Closure

Virtual Studios ultimately closed in 2009 after being dormant for a year due to Waisbren leaving the company to pursue other ventures. He later worked for LStar Capital's film funding company LSC Film Corporation on their deal with Sony Pictures, and also currently owns and operates Virtually There Holdings LLC since 2014.

Films

Release date

Film title

Notes

November 11, 2005

Duane Hopwood

distributed by IFC Films; co-produced by Big Beach; first Virtual Studios film

March 17, 2006

V For Vendetta

distributed and produced by Warner Bros. Pictures; co-produced by Silver Pictures, Anarchos Productions Inc., Vertigo, Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg and Fünfte Babelsberg Film GmbH.

May 12, 2006

Poseidon

distributed and produced by Warner Bros. Pictures; co-produced by, Irwin Allen Productions, Next Entertainment, Radiance Productions and Synthesis Entertainment.

December 8, 2006

Blood Diamond

distributed and produced by Warner Bros. Pictures; co-produced by Bedford Falls Productions and Initial Entertainment Group

December 15, 2006

The Good German

distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures; co-produced by Section Eight Productions

March 9, 2007

300

distributed and produced by Warner Bros. Pictures; co-produced by Legendary Pictures, Atmosphere Pictures and Hollywood Gang Productions

March 20, 2007

First Born

April 26, 2007

Gardener of Eden

co-produced by Appian Way Productions

April 27, 2007

Next

distributed by Paramount Pictures; co-produced by Revolution Studios, Initial Entertainment Group and Saturn Films

June 15, 2007

Nancy Drew

distributed and produced by Warner Bros. Pictures; co-produced by Jerry Weintraub Productions

September 21, 2007

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

distributed and produced by Warner Bros. Pictures; co-produced by Scott Free Productions and Plan B Entertainment

January 18, 2008

Cassandra's Dream

distributed by StudioCanal Limited overseas while The Weinstein Company handled the US Distribution rights; co-produced by The Wild Bunch

September 5, 2008

Bangkok Dangerous

distributed by Lionsgate; co-produced by Saturn Films and Blue Star Entertainment; final Virtual Studios film

References