Lionsgate Chairman Kevin Beggs Talks Projects With 42, International Productions, Recent Successes & Netflix Woes – Banff
deadline.comLionsgate Chairman Kevin Beggs has said the studio is “working on a variety of projects” with 42, ramping up international productions and has put recent successes down to there being “a little more room at the broadcasters.” Beggs also defended Netflix following a period of lower-than-expected growth for the streamer but said it may need to be “more judicious and disciplined” going forwards.Speaking to Deadline in a wide-ranging interview at Banff, where he is Chair of the Board of Directors, Beggs hinted at what’s to come once the deal for a minority stake in London and LA-based management and production firm 42 officially completes in the coming weeks.“We’re already working on a variety of projects,” he added. “We love 42’s entrepreneurial spirit and they have a fantastic model and a U.S.
footprint. This feels promising.”Deadline revealed in March that Ghosts and Minx producer Lionsgate had taken the minority stake in 42, which counts Jesse Armstrong, Julian Fellowes and Lynne Ramsay as clients.
It is understood management-production powerhouse 3 Arts Entertainment, of which Lionsgate is a majority owner, was a key driver for the deal and will look to collaborate on TV and film projects.The move comes as Lionsgate gets ready to sell premium cable channel Starz, with more news due in the summer and completion date set for next Spring, according to Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer on a recent earnings call, although Beggs wouldn’t be drawn on any more detail and didn’t say whether Lionsgate will hit the M&A market once the deal closes.He said Lionsgate is looking to ramp up production outside the U.S.
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