Seriously I don't care what you think about Tom Cruise, he's great for film...

[Movies205]

United Artists Scores $500 Million in Financing
Source: United Artists Entertainment LLC
August 16, 2007


United Artists Entertainment LLC (UA) announced today that it has secured $500 million in financing through Merrill Lynch, one of the world's leading wealth management, capital markets and advisory companies. The arrangement provides the studio with financing for the production of 15 to 18 films over the next five years. The specific terms of the transaction are not being disclosed.

UA's slate will include a combination of films it develops itself, films that are co-produced or co-financed with other major studios or independent partners, and films that may be acquired through negative pickups or other distribution agreements. The studio expects to release four to six films annually, with green-light authority continuing to vest in UA co-owners Tom Cruise and Paula Wagner, who also serves as the studio's chief executive officer. UA is a partnership between Cruise, Wagner and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM).

The financing is effective immediately and will cover two UA film projects already in the works -- Lions for Lambs and Valkyrie. Directed by Academy Award® winning director Robert Redford and starring Redford, Meryl Streep and Tom Cruise, Lions for Lambs will be released in the U.S. and abroad on November 9, 2007. Valkyrie, a WWII thriller directed by Bryan Singer, with Tom Cruise leading an international cast that includes Kenneth Branagh, Bill Nighy, Tom Wilkinson, Carice Van Houten, Eddie Izzard, and Terrence Stamp, is currently filming in Germany and will be ready for release in the summer of 2008.

"The closing of this financing is an important milestone for the new United Artists," said UA CEO Wagner. "It leaves us perfectly poised to realize our vision of making movies that are both important and commercial. We are fortunate to have a team of talented executives who know how to nurture and develop a slate with ingenuity as well as financial discipline, and we're buoyed by the enthusiasm of our friends throughout the international film community. And, of course, Tom and I greatly appreciate the support we've received from Merrill Lynch and MGM."

Harry E. Sloan, Chairman and CEO, MGM, added: "We are pleased that this new United Artists financing arranged by Merrill Lynch supports the MGM model, providing a solid foundation for its production while also creating a pipeline of high quality films for worldwide distribution by MGM. We are also pleased to see such strong support from Wall Street for Tom and Paula and their team, which has enabled us to close this significant transaction within nine months of launching a new UA."

Michael Blum, Managing Director and Global Head of Structured Finance & Investments at Merrill Lynch, said: "The structure and terms of this financing provide the necessary flexibility for United Artists to achieve its production goals while also attracting strong interest from international investors. The participation in this transaction by over 15 institutional investors based in the U.S., Europe, Asia and Africa demonstrates strong and diverse demand notwithstanding a very challenging market environment."

Already the first 2 films look great, and if UA provides us with 7 good films a year, that'd be amazing... So Go Tom Cruise si all I got to say

 

[Symbiotic]

Am I alone when I say I want an M:I:IV?

 

[Movies205]

Am I alone when I say I want an M:I:IV?

Yes... Tom makes all good films except for the MI series

 

[Symbiotic]

Yes... Tom makes all good films except for the MI series

LIES!

 

[strikezone89]

tom cruise isnt the worlds best actor ive seen better. he's very overrated.

 

[Movies205]

tom cruise isnt the worlds best actor ive seen better. he's very overrated.

Christ I really wish people would learn to read, this has nothing to do with his acting but with his direct role in getting the movies we see in theaters green lit, and the fact that he's going to be contributing to having 7 good films a year put out, hopefully.

 

[블라스]

People are still on the "He's a crazy scientologist, so I must hate him!!!!1" bandwagon?

He could be a rabbit-rapist that dresses up like a clown, the guy's still a great actor and I love most of his movies.

 

[Warhammer]

Tom Cruise is the man.
He is good for film.
What he is doing is great for UA.

To settle the acting dispute, anybody who judges Cruise because he is a scientologist is a damn idiot. He is an actor. His personal life doesn't concern you, so get over it.

tom cruise isnt the worlds best actor ive seen better. he's very overrated.

My man, I've never really put anybody on the spot for using "overrated" (the mods really need to ban that word), but may you give specific details showing that he is overrated, or was that a word thatyou felt like throwing out there?

 

[Drizzle]

I think the only movie he's actually shown good acting skills in was "Born on the Fourth of July". The rest of his performances are all mediocre (Rain Main, Risky Business, Jerry Maguire) to crap (Mission Impossible series, War of the Worlds). I could give a **** less about his Scientology beliefs.

 

[deathshead2]

Not a big fan of the Cruise, and im rather annoyed with him being the one behind the return of UA. But Valkyrie does sound neat. My school has the book codename Valkyrie. So I plan on reading it, before I decide on seeing the movie or not. Most likely not sinse I hate the Cruise.

 

[LastSunrise1981]

I think the only movie he's actually shown good acting skills in was "Born on the Fourth of July". The rest of his performances are all mediocre (Rain Main, Risky Business, Jerry Maguire) to crap (Mission Impossible series, War of the Worlds). I could give a **** less about his Scientology beliefs.

You've obviously never seen "Magnolia". He's absolutely amazing in that film and got an Academy Award Nomination for his performance.

Cruise is a very good actor in my opinion. I just think the recent rant about his scientology beliefs and his hate for psychiatrists have made him an easy target. I feel he's the actor that people love to hate because it's "cool" to hate Tom Cruise now.

Oh, and Mission Impossible trilogy> You.

 

[Sava]

Cruise is a great actor who knows how to make good entertaining films, the guy doesnt make bad films IMO, his worst movie is MI2 IMO and even thats enjoyable.

 

[LexCorp]

I watched A Few Good Men last night, Tom Cruise was much better back then.

 

[Sugarculted]

I think the only movie he's actually shown good acting skills in was "Born on the Fourth of July". The rest of his performances are all mediocre (Rain Main, Risky Business, Jerry Maguire) to crap (Mission Impossible series, War of the Worlds). I could give a **** less about his Scientology beliefs.

I haven't disliked a single movie of his, which is saying something.
Loved Rain Man, and for those who haven't seen it...here it is in five seconds.

[YT]bUpPsONcotg[/YT]

 

[That-Guy]

People are still on the "He's a crazy scientologist, so I must hate him!!!!1" bandwagon?

He could be a rabbit-rapist that dresses up like a clown, the guy's still a great actor and I love most of his movies.

Thank you. Cruise is a great actor; I don't give a sh** what he does in his personal life. This "he's holding Katie Holmes prisoner" crap is ridiculous. She's a grown woman. If she wanted to leave, she could. Christ.

What amazes me is that John Travolta is also really into Scientology... so much that he actually made a HORRIBLE move based on one of L. Ron Hubbard's books... and the media doesn't make him out to be a joke for it.

 

[Warhammer]

Haha, Movies is going to freak about how his thread went from Tom Cruise's effect on UA to Cruise's acting evaluation.

 

[Movies205]

Seriously read the first post, it has nothing to do with his acting

 

[Movies205]

Haha, Movies is going to freak about how his thread went from Tom Cruise's effect on UA to Cruise's acting evaluation.

Well played... Sir... Well Play... THis thread a bastion for SHH! lack of reading comprehension

 

[Spidey Lover 10]

Already the first 2 films look great, and if UA provides us with 7 good films a year, that'd be amazing... So Go Tom Cruise si all I got to say

i agree. he's a good actor, but sucks at real life. lol

 

[Bishop2]

Am I alone when I say I want an M:I:IV?

No. Great series... especially the first and third!

 

[Dark Donnie]

I saw this....He's definately great for film. I remember reading articles how Cruise, before signing on with UA said he wanted to bring them to the forefront of film again like before. There certainly on there way. Can't wait to see some of the other projects that UA have in the works.

 

[Dark Donnie]

You've obviously never seen "Magnolia". He's absolutely amazing in that film and got an Academy Award Nomination for his performance.

Cruise is a very good actor in my opinion. I just think the recent rant about his scientology beliefs and his hate for psychiatrists have made him an easy target. I feel he's the actor that people love to hate because it's "cool" to hate Tom Cruise now.

Oh, and Mission Impossible trilogy> You.

Spoiler

"Respect the Cock, Tame the ****!"

 

[Warhammer]

Well played... Sir... Well Play... THis thread a bastion for SHH! lack of reading comprehension

 

[LexCorp]

I have not seen WWE in a long time. What girl is that Warhammer?

 

[Warhammer]

Maria Kanellis. :heart:

You should google her.
And you are like the 20th person to comment on my avvy or ask me who it was. I'm glad that the Maria love is spreading.