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Thunder Road and Lit Entertainment Unite to Form TR/AK
Confirmed
In Short: Thunder Road Films and Lit Entertainment have joined forces to create TR/AK, a new media company focused on original stories and global audiences.
Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee, founders of Thunder Road Films, are combining with Lit Entertainment Group to launch TR/AK, a new media company for original stories, creators, and film and TV projects for global audiences.
The Hollywood Reporter's statement notes, "Basil, Erica and the Thunder Road team have built their company by trusting their instincts and doing the work required to get ambitious movies made," highlighting the trust and ambition behind the new venture.
The new venture brings together Thunder Road, producers of the John Wick franchise and other notable films, with Lit Entertainment, a management and production company led by Adam Kolbrenner. The two brands will remain independent but will collaborate on projects, with Thunder Road currently in production on "Hivemind," starring Samara Weaving and Nicholas Braun.
Thunder Road’s films have collectively grossed more than $4.4 billion worldwide, while projects written by Lit clients have generated more than $7 billion at the global box office, in addition to thousands of hours of television.
What's confirmed
- Thunder Road Films founder Basil Iwanyk and partner Erica Lee are combining with the Lit Entertainment Group to launch TR/AK, a new media company for original stories, creators and film and TV projects for global audiences.
- “Basil, Erica and the Thunder Road team have built their company by trusting their instincts and doing the work required to get ambitious movies made,” said Kolbrenner in a statement.
- “Erica and I have been thinking of how to grow Thunder Road for years and Adam is a longtime friend and collaborator with us. The more we talked, the more we realized we had a shared vision and ambition in creating the most expansive and dynamic independent company in town” added Iwanyk in his own statement.
- Thunder Road is currently in production on Hivemind, starring Samara Weaving and Nicholas Braun.
- Thunder Road’s films have collectively grossed more than $4.4 billion worldwide, while projects written by Lit clients have generated more than $7 billion at the global box office, in addition to thousands of hours of television.
- While Thunder Road and Lit brands will remain independent, there will be additional executive appointments expected as the company builds out its finance, operations and corporate infrastructure.
What's still developing
- Lit Entertainment clients include David Guggenheim, Aaron Guzikowski, Ben Jacoby, Matt Lieberman and Justin Rhodes.
- TR/AK is about bringing those teams together, backing great writers and filmmakers for projects that can connect with audiences around the world.” “Erica and I have been thinking of how to grow Thunder Road for years and Adam is a longtime friend and collaborator with us.
- CAA Media Finance-Evolution was a strategic advisor on the transaction.