Davis Entertainment (also known as Davis Entertainment Company) is an American independent film and television production company, founded by John Davis in 1984.
 On-screen logo used since 2010 | |
| Company type | Film and television production company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Entertainment |
| Founded | 1984 |
| Founder | John Davis |
| Headquarters | |
| Products | Motion pictures and television programs |
Davis's three divisions–feature film, independent film, and television–develop and produce film and television projects for the major studios, independent distributors, networks and cable broadcasters. The company itself has enjoyed a long-standing first-look production deal at 20th Century Studios, although it also produces projects for all studios and mini-majors.
History
editThe company was founded in 1984 by filmmaker John Davis and it was incorporated in Nevada on December 2, 1985. The company was officially established on May 21, 1986, in order to produce mid-to-high budget action films that were financed entirely by a studio, starting with Predator, a co-production with Lawrence Gordon Productions and Silver Pictures, and a series of other films that were planned for release by 20th Century Fox. It was decided that it would be done independently with co-investors, and it would help anticipate the expansion of telefilms and sitcoms.[1]
On February 18, 1987, Davis Entertainment partnered with Mark L. Lester of his Mark Lester Films company in order to handle the development of action-adventure films which were produced by the company, directed by Mark L. Lester, and it was independently financed by the two companies. The films that were made by the Lester/Davis alliance had ranked in the $5–10 million range, and would expect the co-venture to handle the production of two films before the yearend.[2]
In 1994, it launched its first foray into interactive games, and launched Catapult Entertainment, Inc. to produce its interactive video games.[3] That same year, Davis Entertainment Company signed a production deal with 20th Century Fox to develop feature films.[4][5]
In 1995, Davis Entertainment launched its art-house division Davis Entertainment Classics,[6] which was subsequently renamed Davis Entertainment Filmworks in 2002.[7] In 1998, Davis Entertainment struck a deal with 20th Century Fox Television to produce television shows for its networks, both broadcast and cable.[8]
In 2007, Michael Dorman joined its television division. At the same time, they signed a development pact with Fox Television Studios to produce series for television.[9]
In 2011, John Fox, a former employee of 20th Century Fox, joined the company.[5] In 2013, it signed a deal with Sony Pictures Television to develop television shows for platforms, broadcast, cable and streaming.[10]
Filmography
editTheatrical films
edit1980s
edit| Year | Title | Director | Distributor | Notes | Reviews from critics |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Predator[11] | John McTiernan | 20th Century Fox | co-production with Lawrence Gordon Productions and Silver Pictures | Mixed |
| Three O'Clock High | Phil Joanou | Universal Pictures | uncredited; co-production with Aaron Spelling Productions | ||
| 1988 | License to Drive | Greg Beeman | 20th Century Fox | co-production with Licht/Mueller Productions | |
| 1989 | Little Monsters | Richard Alan Greenberg | MGM/UA Distribution Co. | co-production with Licht/Mueller Productions, Vestron Pictures and United Artists |
1990s
edit2000s
edit2010s
edit2020s
edit| Year | Title | Director | Distributor | Notes | Reviews from critics |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Jungle Cruise | Jaume Collet-Serra | Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures | co-production with Walt Disney Pictures, Seven Bucks Productions and Flynn Picture Company | Mixed to Positive |
| 2022 | Prey[12] | Dan Trachtenberg | Hulu | co-production with 20th Century Studios and Lawrence Gordon Productions | |
| 2024 | Harold and the Purple Crayon[13] | Carlos Saldanha | Sony Pictures Releasing | co-production with Columbia Pictures and TSG Entertainment | Negative |
| Uglies[14] | McG | Netflix | co-production with Anonymous Content, Industry Entertainment, YRF Entertainment and Wonderland Sound and Vision |
Upcoming
edit| Year | Title | Director | Distributor | Notes | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Flight Risk[15] | Mel Gibson | Lionsgate | co-production with Icon Productions and Hammerstone Studios | Post-production[16] |
| Predator: Badlands[17] | Dan Trachtenberg | 20th Century Studios | Post-production | ||
| TBA | The Pickup[18] | Tim Story | Amazon MGM Studios | co-production with The Story Company and Eddie Murphy Productions | Post-production |
| All of Me[19] | TBA | Universal Pictures | In development | ||
| It Takes a Thief[20] | |||||
| Song Sung Blue[21] | Craig Brewer | Focus Features | Filming | ||
| Summertime[22] | TBA | Sony Pictures Releasing | co-production with Screen Gems and Westbrook Studios | In development | |
| Untitled George Clinton biopic[23] | Amazon MGM Studios | ||||
| Untitled Jungle Cruise sequel[24][25] | Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures | co-production with Walt Disney Pictures, Seven Bucks Productions and Flynn Picture Company | |||
| Vertigo[26] | Paramount Pictures | co-production with Team Downey | |||
Direct-to-video films
edit1990s
edit| Year | Title | Director | Distributor | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Enid Is Sleeping | Maurice Phillips | Live Home Video | co-production with Vestron Pictures |
2000s
edit| Year | Title | Director | Distributor | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | The Settlement | Mark Steilen | MTI Home Video | co-production with CineTel Films, Dosgmile Pictures and JeanRoy Entertainment |
| Labor Pains | Tracy Alexson | USA Home Entertainment | uncredited; co-production with Dogsmile Pictures and Prosperity Pictures | |
| 2006 | Dr. Dolittle 3 | Rich Thorne | 20th Century Home Entertainment | |
| 2007 | Garfield Gets Real | Mark A.Z. Dippé | co-production with The Animation Picture Company and Paws, Inc. | |
| 2008 | Dr. Dolittle: Tail to the Chief | Craig Shapiro | ||
| Garfield's Fun Fest | Mark A.Z. Dippé | co-production with The Animation Picture Company and Paws, Inc. | ||
| 2009 | Dr. Dolittle: Million Dollar Mutts | Alex Zamm | ||
| Garfield's Pet Force | Mark A.Z. Dippé Kyung Ho-Lee |
co-production with The Animation Picture Company and Paws, Inc. |
Television movies
edit1990s
edit| Year | Title | Director | Network | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Curiosity Kills | Colin Bucksey | USA Network | co-production with MTE |
| Dangerous Passion | Michael Miller | ABC | co-production with Stormy Weather Productions and Carolco Pictures | |
| Silhouette | Carl Schenkel | USA Network | co-production with Faye Dunaway Productions and MTE | |
| 1992 | Wild Card | Mel Damski | co-production with MTE | |
| 1993 | The Last Outlaw | Geoff Murphy | HBO | co-production with HBO Pictures |
| Voyage | John Mackenzie | USA Network | co-production with ITC Entertainment, Quinta Communications and USA Pictures | |
| 1994 | This Can't Be Love | Anthony Harvey | CBS | co-production with World International Network and Pacific Motion Pictures |
| One Christmas | Tony Bill | NBC | co-production with Karpf Productions | |
| Tears and Laughter: The Joan and Melissa Rivers Story | Oz Scott | |||
| New Eden | Alan Metzger | Sci-Fi Channel | co-production with MTE | |
| 1997 | Asteroid | Bradford May | NBC | co-production with NBC Studios |
| Volcano: Fire on the Mountain[27] | Graeme Campbell | ABC | co-production with Pacific Motion Pictures and World International Network | |
| 1998 | Miracle at Midnight | Ken Cameron | co-production with Walt Disney Television | |
| 1999 | The Jesse Ventura Story | David Jackson | NBC | co-production with NBC Studios |
2000s
edit| Year | Title | Director | Network | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Little Richard | Robert Townsend | NBC | co-production with Fox Television Studios |
| 2001 | Sunk on Christmas Eve | Bill Jardine | National Geographic Channel | |
| 2005 | Nadine in Date Land | Amie Steir | Oxygen | co-production with Departure Studios |
| Life Is Ruff | Charles Haid | Disney Channel | co-production with Salty Pictures | |
| 2007 | Jump In! | Paul Hoen | co-production with Hop, Skip and Jump Productions |
2010s
edit| Year | Title | Director | Network | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Locke & Key | Mark Romanek | Fox | television pilot; co-production with 20th Century Fox Television, DreamWorks Television and K/O Paper Products |
| 2017 | Behind Enemy Lines[28] | McG | television pilot; co-production with 20th Century Fox Television and Temple Hill Entertainment |
2020s
edit| Year | Title | Director | Network | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Echo[29] | TBA | NBC | pilot order; co-production with Universal Television |
Television series
edit2010s
edit2020s
edit| Year | Title | Creators | Network | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021–present | The Equalizer | based on the 1985 TV series by: Michael Sloan Richard Lindheim developed by: Queen Latifah Richard Lindheim |
CBS | co-production with Flavor Unit Entertainment, Martin Chase Productions, Milmar Pictures (seasons 1—2), Wilson Avenue (season 3), Shattered Glass (season 3), Universal Television and CBS Studios |
| 2021 | Rebel | Krista Vernoff | ABC | co-production with ABC Signature, Sony Pictures Television and Trip The Light Productions |
| 2022 | Blockbuster | Vanessa Ramos | Netflix | co-production with Universal Television, Foe Paws and Shark vs. Bear Productions |
Highest-grossing films
edit| Rank | Title | Year | Domestic gross | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I, Robot | 2004 | $144,801,023 | co-produced by Overbrook Entertainment |
| 2 | Dr. Dolittle | 1998 | $144,156,605 | co-produced by Friendly Films |
| 3 | Jungle Cruise | 2021 | $116,987,516 | co-produced by Walt Disney Pictures, Flynn Picture Company and Seven Bucks Productions |
| 4 | Dr. Dolittle 2 | 2001 | $112,952,899 | |
| 5 | Daddy Day Care | 2003 | $104,297,061 | co-produced by Revolution Studios |
| 6 | Norbit | 2007 | $95,673,607 | co-produced by DreamWorks Pictures and Tollin/Robbins Productions |
| 7 | Waterworld | 1995 | $88,246,220 | co-produced by Gordon Company and Licht/Mueller Film Corporation |
| 8 | Ferdinand | 2017 | $84,410,380 | co-produced by Blue Sky Studios |
| 9 | Alien vs. Predator | 2004 | $80,282,231 | co-produced by Brandywine Productions |
| 10 | Garfield: The Movie | 2004 | $75,369,589 | co-produced by Paws, Inc. |
References
edit- ^ "John Davis Forms Prod. Outfit For Mid-To-Hi Budget Actioneers". Variety. 1986-05-21. p. 17.
- ^ "Davis, Lester Pair For Action Films". Variety. 1987-02-18. p. 31.
- ^ "Company Town : In the Name of the Son : John Davis Is Working to Make His Own Mark". Los Angeles Times. 1994-06-07. Retrieved 2020-05-04.
- ^ McNary, Dave (2005-09-23). "Davis reups deal at Fox". Variety. Retrieved 2020-05-04.
- ^ a b Abrams, Rachel (2011-04-12). "Fox ankles Fox for Davis Entertainment". Variety. Retrieved 2020-05-04.
- ^ "Davis cranks up Classics arm". Variety. 1995-05-22. Retrieved 2020-05-04.
- ^ Harris, Dana (2002-01-15). "Davis redubs indie banner". Variety. Retrieved 2020-05-04.
- ^ Hontz, Jenny (1998-10-20). "Davis, Fox ink TV pact". Variety. Retrieved 2020-05-04.
- ^ Schneider, Michael (2007-10-24). "John Davis takes Fox TV deal". Variety. Retrieved 2020-05-04.
- ^ "'The Blacklist' Producers Ink First Look Deal at Sony TV (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. 29 July 2013. Retrieved 2020-05-04.
- ^ a b c d Kinsey, Michelle (June 5, 2004). "Hometown cat Garfield's movie opens next week". The Star Press. Vol. 105, no. 362. Muncie, Indiana. pp. 1, 6 – via Newspapers.com. Note - the link provided is to part two of the article; part one is located here.
- ^ "Predator 5 in the works from 10 Cloverfield Lane director Dan Trachtenberg". 20 November 2020.
- ^ "Zachary Levi to Star in Sony's Live-Action 'Harold and the Purple Crayon' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. 1 February 2021.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (September 29, 2020). "Joey King To Star And Exec Produce Netflix's Adaptation of 'Uglies' With McG Directing". Deadline. Retrieved March 13, 2023.
- ^ Grobar, Matt (January 4, 2024). "'Flight Risk': Topher Grace & Michelle Dockery Join Mark Wahlberg In Mel Gibson-Helmed Lionsgate Thriller". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (May 20, 2024). "Lionsgate Dates Dave Bautista & Mark Wahlberg Movies For Fall; Gerard Butler's 'Den Of Thieves: Pantera' For 2025". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (October 22, 2024). "Marvel Studios' 'Blade' Removed From 2025 Release Schedule, Disney Dates 'Predator: Badlands' Instead". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 22, 2024. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
- ^ Fleming Jr, Mike (March 29, 2023). "Amazon Studios Wins 'The Pick Up' Package In 7-Figure Deal; Eddie Murphy Eyeing Star Role & Tim Story To Direct Kevin Burrows-Matt Mider Spec". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
- ^ Borys Kit (September 11, 2012). "'All of Me' Remake in the Works at DreamWorks". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
- ^ Justin Kroll (October 30, 2013). "Universal Turning 1970s Series 'It Takes a Thief' into Film (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
- ^ Shanfeld, Ethan (14 October 2024). "Hugh Jackman, Kate Hudson to Star in 'Song Sung Blue' Musical Film About Neil Diamond Tribute Band". Variety. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
- ^ Matt Grobar (September 22, 2021). "'Summertime': Will Smith Song In Works As Screen Gems Musical Feature From Westbrook Studios & Davis Entertainment". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
- ^ Mike Fleming Jr. (March 31, 2022). "Eddie Murphy To Play Godfather Of Funk George Clinton In Biopic". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
- ^ Keegan, Prosser (August 1, 2021). "Jungle Cruise: Dwayne Johnson Meeting With Disney to Discuss Sequel". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on August 2, 2021. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
- ^ Kit, Borys (August 30, 2021). "'Jungle Cruise' Sequel in the Works at Disney (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on August 30, 2021. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
- ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (March 23, 2023). "Paramount Sets Remake Of Hitchcock's 'Vertigo' As Potential Robert Downey Jr-Starrer; Steven Knight To Write Script & Davis Entertainment To Produce With Team Downey". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
- ^ Reich, Kenneth (March 3, 1997). "Mammoth Area Avoids Fallout From 'Volcano'". Los Angeles Times. Vol. CXVI, no. 90 (Valley ed.). pp. F9, F15 – via Newspapers.com. Note - Link to second part of the article.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (15 September 2015). "'Behind Enemy Lines' Series Adaptation Of Movie Thriller Set At Fox As Put Pilot". Deadline. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie; Petski, Denise (January 22, 2020). "NBC Picks Up Drama Pilots 'At That Age' & 'Echo'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
Further reading
edit- McDougal, Dennis (January 21, 1992). "Hollywood TV producers claim rights to secret KGB intelligence files". Democrat and Chronicle. Vol. 160, no. 21 (Metro/East ed.). Rochester, New York. Los Angeles Times. p. 13C – via Newspapers.com.
External links
edit- Box office grosses for Davis Entertainment releases (The Numbers)