While I like science fiction just as much as any geek, the SyFy channel is not exactly what I think of when I want quality movies. After all, this is a channel whose titles include Sharktopus, Super Eruption, Triassic Attack and Killer Mountain. When those kind of movies stay on the small screen, however, it's fine and fairly ignorable, but now they're trying to enter the legitimate film world.
NBC Universal and Syfy have announced that they will be creating SyFy Films, a new branch that will release movies under the Universal banner. According to the press release, the new department will stay within their field, producing films in the science fiction, fantasy, supernatural and horror genres. Kicking off in 2012, the new studio plans to produce between one to two films a year.
My favorite part of the press release is when it says that they will be making "human and relatable theatrical releases," despite the fact that none of their made-for-TV movies have ever had that. On the plus side, this could mean good things for Stargate and Battlestar Galactica fans. It's kind of a shame that the release isn't more specific. Check out the full announcement below.
New Film Company Will Create Syfy Branded Genre Films
NEW YORK and UNIVERSAL CITY, CA – December 15, 2010 – Syfy Ventures and Universal Pictures are joining forces to create Syfy Films, a new film company that will develop and produce Syfy branded theatrical motion pictures to be distributed by Universal. The new entity will leverage Syfy’s genre expertise to produce human and relatable theatrical releases from the worlds of science fiction, fantasy, supernatural and horror. Beginning in 2012, Syfy Films will distribute one to two films a year through Universal Pictures. The announcement was made today by Dave Howe, President Syfy and Chiller, Mark Stern, Executive Vice President of Original Programming, Syfy and Co-Head of Content for Universal Cable Productions, Universal Pictures Chairman Adam Fogelson and Co-Chairman Donna Langley.
“We know there is an incredible consumer appetite for genre content as proven by the top grossing box office films,” said Howe and Stern. “Partnering our brand with the theatrical talent of Universal Pictures, a premier motion picture company, will allow us to exploit our combined expertise and resources to create commercially successful quality films that have the potential to become great franchises for the whole company.”
“Syfy has been incredibly successful in finding ways to produce compelling entertainment for a specific audience,” said Fogelson and Langley. “Joining together to find moderately budgeted projects that we can develop using their expertise and their brand is a great opportunity for both of our companies.”
Mark Stern and Donna Langley will jointly oversee the operation. Universal and Syfy are currently looking for a production executive to run Syfy Films which will be based on the Universal Lot. That executive will work closely with the Universal and Syfy creative teams to find projects that they can develop by leveraging Syfy’s experience in developing genre programming. Universal will be responsible for distribution, marketing and publicity. Syfy will actively promote each film across Syfy’s television, online and mobile assets.
