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== Current projects ==
== Current projects ==
The studio's first film, [[3D computer graphics|3D]] [[Computer-generated imagery|CGI]] feature, ''[[Despicable Me]]'', starring [[Steve Carell]] was released on July 9, 2010, and was a smash hit, earning $56 million on its opening weekend, and going on to earn $251 million domestically and $543 million worldwide. Illumination's second film was the live action/CGI hybrid ''[[Hop (film)|Hop]]'', starring [[Russell Brand]] and [[James Marsden]]. The talking-animal flick opened to a much bigger than expected $37 million opening, and ended up with $108 million domestically and $183 million worldwide. The latest film from the studio, an adaptation of Dr. Seuss' ''[[The Lorax (film)|The Lorax]]'', debuted on March 2, 2012, earning $70 million on its opening weekend, and eventually found its way to $214 million stateside and $348 million worldwide.
The studio's first film, [[3D computer graphics|3D]] [[Computer-generated imagery|CGI]] feature, ''[[Despicable Me]]'', starring [[Steve Carell]] was released on July 9, 2010, and was a smash hit, earning $56 million on its opening weekend, and going on to earn $251 million domestically and $543 million worldwide. Illumination's second film was the live action/CGI hybrid ''[[Hop (film)|Hop]]'', starring [[Russell Brand]] and [[James Marsden]]. The talking-animal flick opened to a much bigger than expected $37 million opening, and ended up with $108 million domestically and $183 million worldwide. , an adaptation of Dr. Seuss' ''[[The Lorax (film)|The Lorax]]'', debuted on March 2 earning $70 million on its opening weekend, and eventually found its way to $214 million stateside and $348 million worldwide.


Illumination is currently in production on the spin-off to ''Despicable Me'', titled ''[[Minions (film)|Minions]]'', scheduled for 2014,<ref name=DeadlineBullock>{{cite news|last=Fleming|first=Mike|title=Sandra Bullock To Voice Super-Villain In ‘Minions’ Spinoff For Illumination/Universal|url=http://www.deadline.com/2013/02/sandra-bullock-to-voice-super-villain-in-minions-spinoff-for-illuminationuniversal/|accessdate=February 12, 2013|newspaper=Deadline|date=February 11, 2013}}</ref> and an untitled original animated film, scheduled for 2015.<ref name=Wrap2015 />
Illumination is currently in production on the spin-off to ''Despicable Me'', titled ''[[Minions (film)|Minions]]'', scheduled for 2014,<ref name=DeadlineBullock>{{cite news|last=Fleming|first=Mike|title=Sandra Bullock To Voice Super-Villain In ‘Minions’ Spinoff For Illumination/Universal|url=http://www.deadline.com/2013/02/sandra-bullock-to-voice-super-villain-in-minions-spinoff-for-illuminationuniversal/|accessdate=February 12, 2013|newspaper=Deadline|date=February 11, 2013}}</ref> and an untitled original animated film, scheduled for 2015.<ref name=Wrap2015 />

Revision as of 15:54, 20 August 2013

Illumination Entertainment
Company typeSubsidiary of Universal Studios
IndustryCGI animation
Film
GenreVarious
Founded2007
FounderChris Meledandri
Headquarters
Los Angeles, California
,
United States
Key people
Janet Healy
Eddie Egan[1]
Natalie Fischer (COO)[2]
ProductsCGI animated films
OwnerNBCUniversal
(Comcast Corporation)
Number of employees
35 (2012)[2]
300 (Illumination Mac Guff) (2012)[2]
ParentUniversal Studios
SubsidiariesIllumination Mac Guff
Websitewww.illuminationentertainment.com
Not to be confused with Illumination Pictures.

Illumination Entertainment is an American film production company and animation studio, founded by Chris Meledandri in 2007. It has an exclusive financing and distribution partnership with Universal Studios and it is based in Santa Monica, California.[3] The company is best known for its 2010 animated feature Despicable Me, which was the first film by the company. Its sequel, Despicable Me 2 was released on July 3, 2013, and its spin-off Minions is set for release on December 19, 2014.

History

Meledandri left his post as President of 20th Century Fox Animation in early 2007 where he supervised or executive produced movies including Ice Age, its sequel The Meltdown, Robots, Alvin and the Chipmunks and Horton Hears a Who!. After leaving, he founded Illumination Entertainment. By 2008, a deal was announced positioning Illumination as NBC Universal’s family entertainment arm that would produce one to two films a year starting in 2010. It is co-owned by Universal who exclusively distributes the films, but Illumination retains creative control as an independent production company. During the summer 2011, Illumination acquired the animation department of the French animation and visual effects studio Mac Guff, which animated Despicable Me and The Lorax, and formed Illumination Mac Guff.[4][5][6]

Process

Meledandri is determined to keep his company adhering to a low-cost model, recognizing that “strict cost controls and hit animated films are not mutually exclusive.”[7] In an industry where movie expenses often exceed $100 million, Illumination’s first two releases were completed with significantly lower budgets, considering Despicable Me’s $69 million budget and the $63 million budget of Hop.[7] One way the company sustains a lean financial model is by employing cost-conscious animation techniques that lower the expenses and render times of its computer graphics.[7]

Current projects

The studio's first film, 3D CGI feature, Despicable Me, starring Steve Carell was released on July 9, 2010, and was a smash hit, earning $56 million on its opening weekend, and going on to earn $251 million domestically and $543 million worldwide. Illumination's second film was the live action/CGI hybrid Hop, starring Russell Brand and James Marsden. The talking-animal flick opened to a much bigger than expected $37 million opening, and ended up with $108 million domestically and $183 million worldwide. In 2012, an adaptation of Dr. Seuss' The Lorax, debuted on March 2 earning $70 million on its opening weekend, and eventually found its way to $214 million stateside and $348 million worldwide. The latest film from the studio, Despicable Me 2, opened in the United States on July 3, 2013 bringing in $83.5 million on its opening weekend.[8]

Illumination is currently in production on the spin-off to Despicable Me, titled Minions, scheduled for 2014,[9] and an untitled original animated film, scheduled for 2015.[10]

Other films in pre-production include the animated feature adaptation of Ricky Gervais' Flanimals books and a CGI adaptation of the Uglydoll toy franchise, which creators David Horvath and Sun-Min-Kim will executive produce.[11]

In May 2011, Illumination announced that it will be working with Universal Studios to create, Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem, a 3-D ride at Universal Studios in Orlando and Hollywood.[12] The ride officially opened on July 2, 2012 in Orlando and is scheduled for a 2014 opening in Hollywood.

Filmography

Feature films

Released films

# Title Release Date Budget Gross RT MC
1 Despicable Me July 9, 2010 $69,000,000 $543,113,985 81% 72
2 Hop April 1, 2011 $63,000,000 $183,953,723 25% 41
3 Dr. Seuss' The Lorax March 2, 2012 $70,000,000 $348,840,316 54% 46
4 Despicable Me 2 July 3, 2013 $76,000,000 $781,188,000 75% 62

Upcoming films

Title Release Date Refs.
Minions December 19, 2014 [13][14]
Untitled film July 3, 2015 [15][10]

Films in development

Title Refs.
Flanimals [16]
Curious George [17]
Untitled Cryptozoology Project [18]
Pluto [19]
Uglydolls [11][20]
Gospel for Teens [21]
Dr. Seuss' biopic [22]
Emily the Strange [22]
Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat [23]
Lockwood & Co.: The Screaming Staircase [24]
Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! [25]

Short films

# Title Release Date
1 Home Makeover, Orientation Day, and Banana December 14, 2010
2 Brad & Gary [26][27][28] 2012
3 Phil's Dance Party [29] March 23, 2012
4 Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem July 2, 2012
5 Serenade, Wagon-Ho, and Forces of Nature [30] August 7, 2012

References

  1. ^ Fleming, Mike (2011-05-15). "Universal Marketing Head Eddie Egan Moving To Top Illumination Post". Deadline.com. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
  2. ^ a b c Fleming, Mike (August 7, 2012). "Chris Meledandri's Illumination Names Natalie Fischer COO". Deadline. Retrieved August 12, 2012.
  3. ^ Michael Fleming (2008-03-05). "Meledandri, Universal team on deals - Entertainment News, Exclusives, Media". Variety. Retrieved 2010-03-26.
  4. ^ Fleming, Mike (November 14, 2011). "Universal Pictures Buys Paris Animation Unit For Chris Meledandri's Illumination". Deadline. Retrieved November 15, 2011.
  5. ^ Juridic informations about Illumination Mac Guff
  6. ^ Keslassy, Elsa (December 12, 2011). "Universal benefit in Mac Guff accord". Variety. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  7. ^ a b c Barnes, Brooks (2011-04-03). "For Illumination Entertainment, Animation Meets Economic Reality". Nytimes.com. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
  8. ^ http://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?yr=2013&wknd=27&p=.htm
  9. ^ Fleming, Mike (February 11, 2013). "Sandra Bullock To Voice Super-Villain In 'Minions' Spinoff For Illumination/Universal". Deadline. Retrieved February 12, 2013.
  10. ^ a b Shaw, Lucas (February 12, 2013). "Universal Dates Mystery Illumination Movie for 2015". The Wrap. Retrieved February 15, 2013.
  11. ^ a b Fleming, Mike (2011-05-26). "Chris Meledandri's Illumination To Turn Uglydoll Into Animated Film". Deadline.com. Retrieved 2011-05-28.
  12. ^ Vary, Adam B. (2011-05-19). "Universal Parks announces new 'Despicable Me' ride, and a major face-lift for 'Spider-Man'". EW.com. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
  13. ^ Mike Fleming (2012-07-23). "Illumination And Universal Hatch 'Despicable Me' Spinoff About The Minions". Deadline. Retrieved 2012-07-23.
  14. ^ Gregg Kilday (2012-08-21). "Universal Sets Release Date for 'Despicable Me' Spin-Off Project". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2012-08-21.
  15. ^ "Untitled Illumination Entertainment 2015 Project". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved February 14, 2013.
  16. ^ Michael Fleming (2009-04-28). "Gervais' 'Flanimals' heads to bigscreen". Variety. Retrieved 2010-08-14.
  17. ^ Steven Zeitchik (2010-07-30). "With 'Curious George,' Illumination looks to make more animation mischief". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2010-07-31.
  18. ^ Mike Fleming (2009-12-04). "Illumination Bets on Black for Ani Pitch". Variety. Retrieved 2010-09-03.
  19. ^ Mike Fleming (2010-10-20). "Illumination Entertainment And Universal Eye Japanese Manga 'Pluto' For New Pic". Deadline. Retrieved 2010-10-21.
  20. ^ "Universal Pictures Plans Uglydoll Feature Film". ComingSoon.net. January 7, 2013. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
  21. ^ Fleming, Mike (August 16, 2011). "Universal, Illumination, And Escape Artists To Film Harlem Teen Gospel Story". Deadline. Retrieved August 17, 2011.
  22. ^ a b Kit, Borys (October 6, 2011). "Johnny Depp to Become Dr. Seuss for Illumination and Universal (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 7, 2011.
  23. ^ Fleming, Mike (March 15, 2012). "Dr. Seuss' 'The Cat In The Hat' Get Another Life At Chris Meledandri's Illumination". Deadline. Retrieved March 15, 2012.
  24. ^ Kroll, Justin (October 24, 2012). "Illumination, U acquire 'Lockwood' series". Variety. Retrieved October 25, 2012.
  25. ^ Kroll, Justin (October 8, 2013). "Universal, Illumination to reboot 'The Grinch'". Variety. Retrieved February 7, 2013.
  26. ^ "Brad & Gary". Seattle International Film Festival. Retrieved February 3, 2013.
  27. ^ "Brad & Gary". IMDb. Retrieved February 3, 2013.
  28. ^ King, Susan (February 2, 2013). "40th Annie Award nominees and winners list". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 3, 2013.
  29. ^ Katz, Josh (January 9, 2012). "Hop Blu-ray". Blu-ray. Retrieved January 9, 2012.
  30. ^ "From Universal Studios Home Entertainment: Dr. Seuss' The Lorax". PR Newswire. June 5, 2012. Retrieved June 5, 2012.
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