Paramount Players Explained

Paramount Players
Parent:Paramount Pictures
Foundation:[1]
Founder:Jim Gianopulos
Location City:Los Angeles, California
Location Country:U.S.
Key People:Jeremy Kramer (president)
Area Served:Worldwide
Industry:Motion picture
Products:Film production
Type:Division

Paramount Players is an American film production label of Paramount Pictures, focusing on "contemporary properties" while working with other Paramount Global brands. The name alludes to the company's earliest origins as Famous Players Film Company, before its 1914 founding by William Wadsworth Hodkinson.

History

On June 7, 2017, Jim Gianopulos, who joined Paramount Pictures as the Chairman and CEO in March, announced the launch of the Paramount Players division with Brian Robbins, the founder and former CEO of AwesomenessTV, as president. Robbins will work with Viacom's Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central and BET operations to generate projects while the new division focuses on "contemporary properties."[1] The division was created after Paramount and Viacom expressed disappointment at Comedy Central stars Jordan Peele and Amy Schumer producing their own films (2017's Get Out and 2015's Trainwreck, respectively) for Universal Pictures due to feeling "unwelcome" by Paramount's former executives.[2]

On August 17, 2017, Paramount Players acquired its first project, which is a film adaptation of the book Vacation Guide to the Solar System by Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley.[3]

On October 1, 2018, Brian Robbins left his position as the president of Paramount Players after Viacom tapped him to be the president of Nickelodeon, ending his 16-month run at the studio. Despite leaving the studio, he will remain involved with Paramount Players' Nickelodeon films (Dora and the Lost City of Gold and Playing with Fire). Wyck Godfrey, the president of Paramount Motion Picture Group, is serving as interim and will oversee day-to-day operations with support from Robbins until Paramount finds a new president for the studio.[4]

On June 30, 2020, Emma Watts replaced Wyck Godfrey as the president of Paramount Motion Picture Group and began on July 20 (Godfrey returned to producing).[5] In October, Watts tapped Jeremy Kramer as president.[6]

On March 8, 2022, Kramer stepped down and the studio's operations were merged into the purview of Mike Ireland and Daria Cercek, the head executives of the Paramount Pictures Motion Picture Group, though Paramount Players and its current film inventory remains otherwise unaffected.[7]

Films

Released films

Release dateTitleclass=unsortable Notesclass=unsortable
November 2, 2018Nobody's FoolCo-produced by Tyler Perry Studios and BET Films
February 8, 2019What Men WantCo-produced by Will Packer Productions and BET Films
August 9, 2019Dora and the Lost City of GoldCo-produced by Nickelodeon Movies, Walden Media, Media Rights Capital and Burr! Productions
October 18, 2019EliDistributed by Netflix; co-produced by MTV Films, Intrepid Pictures and Bellevue Productions[8]
November 8, 2019Playing with FireCo-produced by Nickelodeon Movies, Walden Media and Broken Road Productions[9]
May 19, 2020Body CamCo-produced by Ace Entertainment and BET Films
October 30, 2020SpellCo-produced with LINK Entertainment and MC8 Entertainment[10]
October 29, 2021Distributed by Paramount+; co-produced with Blumhouse Productions[11]
February 11, 2022The In BetweenDistributed by Paramount+ in United States and Netflix in all other regions[12]
May 13, 2022Senior YearDistributed by Netflix; co-produced with Broken Road Productions[13] [14] [15]
June 17, 2022Jerry & Marge Go LargeDistributed by Paramount+; co-produced with Landline Films and Levantine Films [16]
August 19, 2022Co-produced by Dark Castle Entertainment, Entertainment One and Sierra/Affinity[17]
September 23, 2022On the Come UpDistributed by Paramount+; co-produced with Temple Hill Entertainment and State Street Pictures[18]
September 30, 2022SmileCo-produced by Temple Hill Entertainment[19]
October 7, 2022Significant OtherDistributed by Paramount+; co-production with Quay Street Productions
October 6, 2023Distributed by Paramount+; co-production with Di Bonaventura Pictures and Room 101, Inc.
January 12, 2024Mean GirlsCo-produced by Broadway Video and Little Stranger
September 27, 2024Apartment 7ACo-produced by Sunday Night Productions and Platinum Dunes[20] [21]
October 18, 2024Smile 2Co-produced with Temple Hill Entertainment

In development

Titleclass=unsortable Notes
American SonCo-produced by Original Film[22]
Born A CrimeCo-produced by Day Zero Productions, Mainstay Entertainment and Eba Productions[23]
CoachellaCo-produced by Gotham Group[24]
Creepy CrawlersCo-produced by Original Film and Jakks Pacific[25]
Dora and the Search for Sol DoradoCo-produced by Nickelodeon Movies[26]
Double FaultCo-produced by Broken Road Productions[27]
Fashionista Co-produced by Ethea Entertainment and Kellagio Entertainment[28]
Frankly in LoveCo-produced by Alloy Entertainment[29]
Gay Kid and Fat ChickCo-produced by MTV Entertainment Studios[30]
Gucci ManeCo-produced by Imagine Entertainment[31]
Indecent Proposal[32]
Koreatown Ghost StoryCo-produced by Original Film[33]
Man of WarCo-produced by Vendetta Productions[34]
Marked Man[35]
One Night in ComptonCo-produced by Khalabo Ink Society[36]
Opposite of AlwaysCo-produced by Temple Hill Entertainment[37]
Planet of the NerdsCo-produced by Broken Road Productions[38]
Pumpkinhead [39]
Queen for a DayCo-produced by Brownstone Productions[40]
Quinceanerx Co-produced by 'Twas Entertainment[41]
Razorblade TearsCo-produced by Jerry Bruckheimer Films[42]
Shhh Co-produced by Ace Entertainment[43]
Slime [44]
The Strange Fascinations of Noah HypnotikCo-produced by Gotham Group[45]
Vacation Guide to the Solar System[46]
White SmokeCo-produced by Ace Entertainment[47]
WhitneyCo-produced by Marginal Mediaworks and Peachtree & Vine Productions[48]
UnboxingCo-produced by PocketWatch[49]
Untitled Aline Brosh McKenna film[50]
Untitled Colin Minihan filmCo-produced by Vertigo Entertainment[51]
Untitled H. G. Wells film Co-produced by OddBall Entertainment[52]
Untitled Jay Longino film[53]
Untitled LeBron James filmCo-produced by SpringHill Company[54]

Highest-grossing films

Highest-grossing films
RankTitleYearWorldwide grossBudget
1Smile2022$217.4 million$17 million
2Dora and the Lost City of Gold2019$120.6 million$49 million
3Mean Girls2024$104.4 million$36 million
4What Men Want2019$72.2 million$20 million
5Playing with Fire2019$68.6 million$30 million
62022$44 million
7Nobody's Fool2018$33.5 million$19 million

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Paramount Pictures Launches New Production Division Headed by Brian Robbins. Dave. McNary. June 7, 2017. October 14, 2018.
  2. News: Faughnder. Ryan. James. Meg. Paramount Pictures CEO says struggling studio is 'poised for a renaissance.' Inside Jim Gianopulos' first year. Los Angeles Times. February 23, 2019. April 24, 2018.
  3. News: Ford. Rebecca. Paramount's New Banner Lands 'Vacation Guide to the Solar System'. The Hollywood Reporter. October 24, 2017.
  4. News: Sandberg. Bryn Elise. Viacom Names Brian Robbins President of Nickelodeon. The Hollywood Reporter. October 1, 2018. October 1, 2018.
  5. News: McClintock . Pamela . Paramount Pictures Names Emma Watts President of the Motion Picture Group . The Hollywood Reporter. July 12, 2020. June 30, 2020.
  6. Web site: Jeremy Kramer to Head Paramount Players. March 8, 2022. The Hollywood Reporter.
  7. Web site: D'Alessandro . Anthony . Paramount Players Merged Under Studio Co-Heads Mike Ireland and Daria Cercek; Jeremy Kramer Departing . Deadline . March 8, 2022 . March 8, 2022.
  8. Web site: Netflix Buys Horror Pic 'Eli' From Paramount . D'Alessandro . Anthony . December 12, 2018 . . December 12, 2018.
  9. Web site: Paramount Dates 'Crawl' & 'Playing With Fire', Moves 'Loud House' Off Schedule. January 19, 2019. Deadline. January 18, 2019.
  10. Web site: Thriller 'Spell' Coming to PVOD and Digital Oct. 30. Media Play News. Stephanie. Prange. October 1, 2020. October 1, 2020.
  11. Web site: New 'Pet Sematary' and 'Paranormal Activity' Films Headed to Paramount+. February 24, 2021. Brian. Welk . TheWrap. February 24, 2021.
  12. Web site: Joey King Romance 'The In Between' Sets Paramount Plus Premiere — Film News in Brief. Variety. January 12, 2022. February 11, 2022.
  13. Web site: Kinane . Ruth . August 2, 2021 . Rebel Wilson transforms into '90s Britney Spears for Netflix movie . August 25, 2021 . Entertainment Weekly.
  14. Web site: Kroll . Justin . February 25, 2021 . Rebel Wilson To Star in Paramount Players Comedy 'Senior Year' . March 8, 2021 . Deadline Hollywood.
  15. Web site: Chuba . Kirsten . May 13, 2022 . Events of the Week: 'Hacks,' 'Good Mourning' and More . May 16, 2022 . The Hollywood Reporter . en-US.
  16. Web site: 'Jerry And Marge Go Large' Premiere Date, First-Look Photos: Bryan Cranston & Annette Bening Lead Paramount+ Comedy. Matt. Grobar. Deadline Hollywood. April 26, 2022. April 27, 2022.
  17. Web site: Borys. Kit. Paramount Picks Up Horror Thriller 'Orphan: First Kill' From eOne, Dark Castle (Exclusive). September 9, 2021. The Hollywood Reporter. September 18, 2021.
  18. Web site: D'Alessandro . Anthony . July 27, 2022 . 'On The Come Up': Paramount+ Sets Autumn Drop Date For Sanaa Lathan's Toronto Film Festival World Premiere . July 31, 2022 . Deadline . en-US.
  19. Web site: Galuppo. Mia. Kyle Gallner, Kal Penn Join Paramount Players Horror 'Something's Wrong with Rose'. The Hollywood Reporter. October 8, 2021. October 29, 2021.
  20. Web site: Dianne Wiest Joins Julia Garner In Paramount Thriller 'Apartment 7A'. Kroll. Justin. Deadline Hollywood. March 14, 2022. October 26, 2022.
  21. Web site: ‘Apartment 7A’: Julia Garner To Star In Paramount+ Prequel To ‘Rosemary’s Baby’; Natalie Erika James To Direct. Deadline Hollywood. Valerie. Complex. April 26, 2024. April 26, 2024.
  22. Web site: Kroll . Justin . February 14, 2020 . Paramount Players Taps Rapman to Direct Film Based on Oscar-Nominated ‘A Prophet’ (EXCLUSIVE) . June 10, 2024 . Variety . en-US.
  23. Web site: N'Duka . Amanda . April 16, 2019 . Janine Eser To Pen Trevor Noah’s ‘Born A Crime’ Film Starring Lupita Nyong’o . June 9, 2024 . Deadline . en-US.
  24. Web site: Leiber . Sarah Jae . Paramount Players Buys Comedy Set at Coachella . June 9, 2024 . BroadwayWorld.com . en.
  25. Web site: Kroll . Justin . May 29, 2018 . Paramount Players Lands Film Rights to Creepy Crawlers Toy Brand (EXCLUSIVE) . June 9, 2024 . Variety . en-US.
  26. Web site: Kit . Borys . New 'Dora the Explorer' Movie to Star 'You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah' Actress Samantha Lorraine (Exclusive) . . May 8, 2024 . May 8, 2024.
  27. Web site: Rubin . Rebecca . August 4, 2022 . Rebel Wilson to Star in Tennis Comedy ‘Double Fault’ at Paramount (EXCLUSIVE) . June 10, 2024 . Variety . en-US.
  28. Web site: Renner . Brian D. . Everything You Need to Know About Fashionista Movie (Development): Feb. 27, 2022 - changed the title from "Fashionistas" to "Fashionista" . April 1, 2022 . Movie Insider . en.
  29. Web site: D'Alessandro . Anthony . October 3, 2018 . Alloy Entertainment & Paramount Players Developing David Yoon’s Upcoming YA Novel ‘Frankly In Love’ For The Big Screen . June 9, 2024 . Deadline . en-US.
  30. Web site: Busch . Anita . April 5, 2018 . Amy York Rubin Attached To Direct Bo Burnham’s ‘Gay Kid And Fat Chick’ For Paramount Players . June 10, 2024 . Deadline . en-US.
  31. Web site: McNary . Dave . February 9, 2018 . Gucci Mane Biopic in the Works at Paramount Players, Imagine . June 9, 2024 . Variety . en-US.
  32. Web site: Fleming . Mike Jr. . July 30, 2018 . Paramount Players Plots Remake Of ‘Indecent Proposal;’ Erin Cressida Wilson Writing . June 10, 2024 . Deadline . en-US.
  33. Web site: Kroll . Justin . September 9, 2021 . Paramount Players Lands Rights To The Short Film ‘Koreatown Ghost Story’ With Teddy Tenenbaum And Minsun Park Directing . June 9, 2024 . Deadline . en-US.
  34. Web site: D'Alessandro . Anthony . August 10, 2021 . Paramount Players Buys ‘Man Of War’ Pitch From Vendetta’s Sheldon Turner & Jennifer Klein . June 9, 2024 . Deadline . en-US.
  35. Web site: Donnelly . Matt . October 26, 2021 . Paramount Players Options Gregg Hurwitz ‘Marked Man’ Books for Film Series (EXCLUSIVE) . June 10, 2024 . Variety . en-US.
  36. Web site: Kit . Borys . November 19, 2020 . Kenya Barris, Paramount Players Tackling Sci-Fi Adventure With ‘One Night in Compton’ (Exclusive) . June 10, 2024 . The Hollywood Reporter . en-US.
  37. Web site: Fleming . Mike Jr. . March 20, 2019 . Paramount Players Lands YA Novel ‘Opposite Of Always’ For Temple Hill . June 10, 2024 . Deadline . en-US.
  38. Web site: Kit . Borys . October 25, 2019 . Paramount Players Picks Up ‘Planet of the Nerds’ Comic (Exclusive) . June 10, 2024 . The Hollywood Reporter . en-US.
  39. Web site: Pumpkinhead remake coming from Paramount Players?. Hamman. Cody. JoBlo.com. April 1, 2022. November 15, 2021.
  40. Web site: Fleming . Mike Jr. . August 14, 2018 . Elizabeth Banks To Star In & Produce Paramount Players Pic On The Day A Wyoming Hotel Maid Won A Dream Date With Prince . June 9, 2024 . Deadline . en-US.
  41. News: Paramount Players Steps To 'Quinceanerx,' Kevin Lima-Directed Musical On A 14-Year Old Genderfluid Youth Determined To Celebrate A Rite Of Passage. Fleming. Mike Jr.. March 31, 2021. Deadline Hollywood. October 29, 2021. en-US.
  42. Web site: Donnelly . Matt . January 13, 2021 . Paramount Players Wins Rights Auction for S.A. Cosby’s Forthcoming Novel ‘Razorblade Tears’ (EXCLUSIVE) . June 9, 2024 . Variety . en-US.
  43. Web site: Paramount Players Picks Up Horror Project 'Shhh' (Exclusive). Borys Kit. The Hollywood Reporter. October 17, 2018. October 19, 2018.
  44. Web site: 'Slime' Time For Paramount Players, Steve Pink & Jeff Morris. Mike Fleming Jr. Deadline Hollywood. January 15, 2019. January 19, 2019.
  45. Web site: D'Alessandro . Anthony . December 10, 2018 . Andrew Lanham Adapting David Arnold Novel ‘The Strange Fascinations Of Noah Hypnotik’ For Paramount Players . June 9, 2024 . Deadline . en-US.
  46. Web site: McNary . Dave . August 17, 2017 . Paramount Players Lands First Project: ‘Vacation Guide to the Solar System’ . June 9, 2024 . Variety . en-US.
  47. Web site: D'Alessandro . Anthony . August 29, 2019 . ACE Entertainment Sets Up Nicholas McCarthy Vatican Thriller ‘White Smoke’ At Paramount Players . June 9, 2024 . Deadline . en-US.
  48. Web site: N'Duka . Amanda . December 12, 2019 . Tyler Perry’s Peachtree & Vine, Marginal Mediaworks Set Deep South Thriller ‘Whitney’ At Paramount Players . June 9, 2024 . Deadline . en-US.
  49. Web site: Hipes . Patrick . November 13, 2018 . Paramount Players Acquires ‘Unboxing’ From ‘Ice Age’ Scribe Jim Hecht . June 10, 2024 . Deadline . en-US.
  50. Web site: Pedersen . Erik . March 9, 2018 . Paramount Players Sets Female-Driven Comedy From Aline Brosh McKenna & ‘Crazy Ex-Girlfriend’ Writers . June 9, 2024 . Deadline . en-US.
  51. Web site: Kit . Borys . June 14, 2019 . ‘It’ Producer, Paramount Players Team for Untitled Border Town Thriller (Exclusive) . June 10, 2024 . The Hollywood Reporter . en-US.
  52. Web site: Grobar . Matt . March 28, 2022 . Paramount Developing H.G. Wells Project From Wes Ball's OddBall Entertainment; Laura Gillis Tapped To Write Latest Draft Of The Script . April 1, 2022 . Deadline . en-US.
  53. Web site: Kroll . Justin . April 11, 2018 . Paramount Players Acquires Comedy Pitch From ‘Uncle Drew’ Scribe Jay Longino (EXCLUSIVE) . June 10, 2024 . Variety . en-US.
  54. Web site: Kroll . Justin . July 11, 2018 . LeBron James in Talks to Star in Comedy (EXCLUSIVE) . June 9, 2024 . Variety . en-US.

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