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Strike Entertainment was a short-lived American production company founded in 2002 by Marc Abraham, Thomas Bliss and Eric Newman. Strike's films were distributed through Universal Pictures as well as various other majors. Its first film produced was The Rundown starring The Rock. The company was dissolved in March 2013.

Key Information

Company history

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In May 2002, producer Marc Abraham, Beacon COO Thomas Bliss and senior VP of development Eric Newman broke away from their previous partner, Beacon Pictures, to set up Strike Entertainment, with a deal at Universal Pictures, who financed the company along with foreign partnerships.[1]

In March 2013, Abraham, Bliss and Newman dissolved the company after 11 years as a Universal-based production company. The Universal first-look deal dissolved the company in Spring 2013, which marked the end of a 15-year tenure at the studio for Abraham and Newman. Abraham and Newman said the partnership simply ran its course and that the parting is amicable. They will continue to work together on a project they still have percolating under the Strike banner.[2]

Filmography

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References

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Strike Entertainment

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Strike Entertainment was an American film production company founded in 2002 by producers Marc Abraham, Eric Newman, and Thomas Bliss.[1][2] The company operated primarily out of Universal Pictures, where it developed and produced a range of genre films, including horror, science fiction, and action titles.[3][4] Among its most notable productions were the zombie horror remake Dawn of the Dead (2004), directed by Zack Snyder; the dystopian thriller Children of Men (2006), directed by Alfonso Cuarón; the body horror comedy Slither (2006); the vampire film Let Me In (2010); the time-travel heist In Time (2011); and the action remake RoboCop (2014).[5][6][7] Strike Entertainment's output often featured high-concept stories and collaborations with established directors, contributing to its reputation in the mid-2000s independent and studio film landscape.[8] In 2013, Abraham and Newman dissolved the company after more than a decade of partnership to pursue separate projects.[9]

History

Founding

Strike Entertainment was established in 2002 by producers Marc Abraham, Thomas Bliss, and Eric Newman as an independent film production company.[1] The company was initially based at Universal Pictures under a four-year first-look deal, which provided priority access to scripts, development resources, and partial financing from Universal alongside international partnerships.[1] This arrangement allowed Strike to operate off-lot while leveraging Universal's infrastructure for business affairs and production support.[1] From its inception, Strike Entertainment focused on genre-driven films, with an emphasis on horror, action, and science fiction projects designed as mid-budget productions targeted for wide theatrical release.[1] The founders aimed to create "big, intelligent, finely crafted tentpole movies" that balanced commercial appeal with narrative depth, drawing on their prior experience in the industry to develop original and adapted properties.[1] This strategy positioned the company to produce around 13 films over the deal's duration, prioritizing accessible yet ambitious storytelling in established genres.[1] Strike's first production involvement came with the 2003 action-comedy The Rundown, directed by Peter Berg and starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Seann William Scott, which marked the company's entry into high-energy adventure films.[10] Produced in association with Universal Pictures, Columbia Pictures, and WWE Films, the project exemplified Strike's early commitment to blending action with comedic elements for broad audience appeal.[10]

Growth and notable projects

Following the initial establishment of Strike Entertainment in 2002, the company experienced significant growth through a series of commercially and critically successful film releases, particularly in the mid-2000s. One of its early breakthroughs was the 2004 remake of Dawn of the Dead, directed by Zack Snyder and produced in collaboration with Universal Pictures. This horror film achieved substantial box office success, grossing $102 million worldwide against a $26 million budget, marking a key financial milestone that bolstered the company's reputation for delivering profitable genre fare.[9] Building on this momentum, Strike Entertainment ventured into more ambitious projects, including the 2006 dystopian thriller Children of Men, directed by Alfonso Cuarón. The film was praised for its innovative long-take sequences and prescient themes of societal collapse and infertility, earning three Academy Award nominations for Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, and Best Film Editing. Despite a modest worldwide gross of $70.6 million on a $76 million budget, its critical acclaim and lasting influence on cinematic techniques underscored Strike's ability to support auteur-driven storytelling.[11] The company further diversified into horror with projects like the 2006 creature feature Slither, marking director James Gunn's feature debut and produced in partnership with Gold Circle Films. This comedic horror entry, while grossing $12.8 million worldwide on a $15.25 million budget, gained a cult following for its blend of gore and humor, exemplifying Strike's strategy to cultivate emerging talent in genre filmmaking. By the late 2000s, operational expansion was evident, enabling a broader slate that included both studio-backed releases and independent ventures, all distributed primarily through Universal Pictures.[12][9]

Dissolution and aftermath

In March 2013, Strike Entertainment announced its dissolution after 11 years as a production company based at Universal Pictures.[9] The closure marked the end of the company's first-look deal with Universal Pictures, prompting founders Marc Abraham and Eric Newman to pursue independent paths in film production.[9] Abraham shifted focus toward directing and producing select projects on his own, while Newman established the production company Grand Electric in 2014, backed by StudioCanal for film and television development.[9] Although Strike ceased new operations, in-development projects like the 2014 RoboCop remake were completed and released under the company's banner, with Abraham and Newman retaining producer credits through residual arrangements.[13][9] No further productions were initiated under Strike following the dissolution.[9]

Organization

Leadership

Strike Entertainment was founded in 2002 by Marc Abraham, Eric Newman, and Thomas Bliss, who served as the core leadership team guiding the company's focus on genre-driven film productions.[1] Marc Abraham, as co-founder and president, brought extensive experience from co-founding Beacon Pictures in 1990, where he rose to president of production and oversaw successful genre films such as Air Force One and End of Days. At Strike, Abraham played a pivotal role in acquiring and developing high-concept genre scripts, emphasizing action, horror, and science fiction projects that aligned with the company's output. Eric Newman, a co-founder and key executive, contributed prior expertise as senior vice president of development at Beacon Pictures. His responsibilities at Strike centered on script development, financing strategies, and production oversight, helping to secure deals that enabled films like Dawn of the Dead and Children of Men. Following Strike's dissolution in 2013, Newman independently produced the Netflix series Narcos.[14] Thomas Bliss, the third co-founder and chief operating officer, provided essential creative oversight and expertise in deal-making, drawing from his tenure as COO and executive vice president at Beacon Pictures since 1990. Though less prominent publicly, Bliss was instrumental in forging the early operational and partnership foundations that supported Strike's initial projects.[1] Mid-level executives, such as development and production head Gabrielle Neimand, managed daily operations including script evaluation and project coordination from 2004 to 2012, contributing to the execution of key releases like The Last Exorcism. Under this leadership, Strike prioritized bold genre selections that influenced its distinctive portfolio during the company's growth phase.[15]

Partnerships and distribution

Strike Entertainment formed its primary partnership with Universal Pictures in 2002 via a four-year first-look deal, which provided the company with financing support and priority access to projects for development and worldwide distribution; this arrangement was extended and lasted until the company's dissolution in 2013.[1] Under the deal, Universal co-financed a majority of Strike's output, enabling the production of mid-budget genre films while retaining distribution rights.[9] The company pursued co-production deals to expand its slate, including collaborations with Hit and Run Productions for the dystopian thriller Children of Men (2006), which combined Strike's resources with international expertise.[6] For horror titles, Strike partnered with New Amsterdam Entertainment on the zombie remake Dawn of the Dead (2004), sharing production costs and creative input to leverage genre appeal.[5] Distribution logistics under the Universal partnership centered on the studio handling North American theatrical releases for key films like Dawn of the Dead and Children of Men. International markets were covered through Universal's alliances, such as United International Pictures for broad territorial rollout. In the late 2000s, as the first-look deal wound down, Strike shifted toward independent financing, exemplified by Let Me In (2010), which received North American distribution from Overture Films while maintaining Strike's production oversight.[16]

Filmography

2000s productions

Strike Entertainment's productions in the 2000s established the company as a key player in genre filmmaking, focusing on action, comedy, and horror titles that often leveraged established intellectual properties through remakes and adaptations. The company's early slate emphasized high-concept projects with broad commercial appeal, building on initial partnerships with studios like Universal Pictures for distribution and financing.[17] The Rundown, released in 2003, was an action-comedy directed by Peter Berg, starring Dwayne Johnson and Seann William Scott as a bounty hunter and archaeologist in a jungle adventure; Strike Entertainment served as a primary production entity, contributing to its development and financing.[18] The film grossed approximately $80.9 million worldwide against an $85 million budget, highlighting Strike's ability to deliver entertaining, star-driven fare.[19] In 2004, Strike produced the direct-to-video sequel Bring It On Again, a cheerleading comedy directed by Damon Santostefano that followed new students forming a rival squad; the company handled production alongside Beacon Pictures, expanding the franchise's low-stakes, youth-oriented humor. Later that year, Dawn of the Dead, a horror remake directed by Zack Snyder from James Gunn's screenplay, depicted survivors fleeing a zombie apocalypse; Strike co-financed and developed the project with New Amsterdam Entertainment, resulting in a global box office of $102.4 million on a $26 million budget.[5] The film earned a 77% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, praised for its tense pacing and modern take on George A. Romero's 1978 original.[20] By 2006, Strike diversified into comedy with Let's Go to Prison, directed by Bob Odenkirk and starring Dax Shepard and Will Arnett in a satirical tale of revenge and incarceration; the company produced the film in association with Carsey-Werner, though it underperformed with $4.6 million in domestic earnings.[21] That same year, Children of Men, a sci-fi drama directed by Alfonso Cuarón and adapted from P.D. James's novel, explored infertility and societal collapse in a dystopian future; Strike financed and developed the ambitious production, which achieved critical acclaim with a 92% Rotten Tomatoes score for its innovative long takes and thematic depth.[6] Also in 2006, Slither, James Gunn's horror-comedy about an alien invasion in a small town, starred Nathan Fillion and Michael Rooker; Strike co-produced alongside Gold Circle Films, blending gore and humor to earn an 87% Rotten Tomatoes rating.[22] This decade's output, particularly the remakes like Dawn of the Dead and adaptations such as Children of Men, underscored Strike's strategy to capitalize on proven IPs for both artistic and financial impact, laying the groundwork for the company's portfolio.

2010s productions

During the 2010s, Strike Entertainment's output reflected a transitional phase, building on the company's earlier horror successes from the 2000s while increasingly embracing remakes, sequels, and genre expansions into action amid financial and operational challenges leading to its dissolution in March 2013.[23] The period saw six key productions released between 2010 and 2014, with a pronounced shift toward high-concept horror and action films, often involving established intellectual properties to mitigate risks during the company's wind-down. These projects highlighted Strike's partnerships with major studios like Lionsgate, Universal, and MGM, though critical reception was mixed, and box office results varied from breakout hits to modest performers. The Last Exorcism (2010), a found-footage horror film directed by Daniel Stamm, marked Strike's strong entry into the decade with its low-budget tale of a skeptical minister confronting demonic possession. Produced in collaboration with StudioCanal and distributed by Lionsgate, the film faced no major production hurdles but capitalized on the mockumentary style popularized by Paranormal Activity. It earned positive reviews for its tense buildup and social commentary on faith, holding a 71% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.[24] Commercially, it grossed $70.2 million worldwide against a $1.8 million budget, establishing significant returns and paving the way for sequels.[25] In Time (2011), a science fiction action film written and directed by Andrew Niccol, starred Justin Timberlake and Amanda Seyfried in a dystopian world where time is used as currency and the rich can live forever. Co-produced with New Regency Productions and distributed by 20th Century Fox, the film explored themes of inequality and mortality with high-stakes chases and social commentary. It received mixed reviews, with a 36% Rotten Tomatoes score praising its premise but critiquing execution.[26] Box office performance was solid, grossing $174 million worldwide on a $40 million budget.[27] In 2011, Strike co-produced The Thing, a prequel to John Carpenter's 1982 classic, directed by Matthijs van Heijningen Jr. and starring Mary Elizabeth Winstead as a paleontologist uncovering an alien organism in Antarctica. Partnering with Morgan Creek Productions and Universal Pictures, the film encountered challenges in balancing practical effects with CGI to homage the original's creature designs, resulting in debates over fidelity to the source material. Critics praised its visuals and atmosphere but criticized narrative redundancies, yielding a 34% Rotten Tomatoes score.[28] Box office performance was underwhelming, totaling $31.5 million globally on a $38 million budget, underscoring the risks of horror prequels in a saturated market.[29] Shifting toward action, The Man with the Iron Fists (2012), RZA's directorial debut co-written with Eli Roth, blended martial arts, blaxploitation, and hip-hop aesthetics in a 19th-century Chinese setting. Strike collaborated with Arcade Pictures and Universal, facing production hurdles from its ambitious fight choreography and ensemble cast including Russell Crowe and Jamie Chung. Reviews highlighted its stylistic flair and soundtrack but noted uneven pacing, with a 52% Rotten Tomatoes rating.[30] The film earned $21.8 million worldwide on a $15 million budget, reflecting moderate success driven by cult appeal rather than broad commercial dominance.[31] The Last Exorcism Part II (2013), directed by Ed Gass-Donnelly, continued the franchise by following survivor Nell Sweetzer's (Ashley Bell) relocation to New Orleans, where possession resurfaces. Produced with StudioCanal and distributed by CBS Films, the sequel abandoned found-footage for traditional horror, addressing fan feedback on the original's abrupt ending but struggling with tonal inconsistencies during post-production. It received poor critical marks, scoring 16% on Rotten Tomatoes for its convoluted plot and lack of scares.[32] Financially, it underperformed with $15.4 million domestic on an estimated $5 million budget, signaling diminishing returns for the series amid Strike's closure.[33] Strike's final major release, RoboCop (2014), a remake of Paul Verhoeven's 1987 satire directed by José Padilha, reimagined the cyborg cop narrative with Joel Kinnaman as Alex Murphy in a drone-warfare era. Co-produced with MGM and Columbia Pictures, the project navigated controversies over toning down the original's violence for a PG-13 rating and extensive reshoots to enhance action sequences. Critics offered mixed verdicts, appreciating updated themes on media and militarism but lamenting the loss of satirical edge, with a 50% Rotten Tomatoes score.[34] It achieved solid box office success, grossing $242.7 million worldwide on a $100-130 million budget, providing a capstone to Strike's legacy despite the company's prior dissolution.[35]
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