Reports that Summit — the studio behind the Twilight movie (pictured) — and Lionsgate, the makers of the Saw franchise, are discussing a merger have been greatly exaggerated, EW has learned. Following a report yesterday on Sharon Waxman’s new website The Wrap, which revealed that the two indie studios are in fact having conversations about a corporate marriage, a source tells EW that those discussions actually occurred before Summit took the $37 million Twilight and turned it into a $340 million worldwide franchise. Now that they’ve got a real hit on their hands, Summit is going it alone for the time being, with the Dakota Fanning-starrer Push releasing on Friday, and New Moon, the studio’s Twilight sequel, scheduled for a Nov. 20 bow.
However, with the economic conditions being as they are, everyone in Hollywood is talking about ways to enhance their business strategically while simultaneously reducing overhead, so it’s certainly not out of the question that we’ll see some kind of changes taking place at various studios in coming months. We’ll just have to wait and see how it all shakes out.
More on New Moon & Twilight
‘New Moon’ red carpet buzz
Kristen Stewart on ‘New Moon’
Stephenie Meyer confirms Taylor Lautner will be in ‘Twilight’ sequel
Dakota Fanning offered role in ‘New Moon’
‘Twilight’ sequel: New details on ‘New Moon’
‘Twilight’ sequel: ‘New Moon’ director will be Chris Weitz
EW’s Twilight Headquarters
Twilight sequel: Who would you recast?
Comments (1-4) of 4 Add your comment
Gosh. I hope they don’t merge.
Now, Lionsgate just wants all the Twilight money from Summit. I love how Twilight’s a part of only Summit – Summit’s such a small company and I think it’s great they have such a hit. Twilight’s just.. I don’t know. It has not very well-known actors, which I love. And it’s with a movie studio not very well known. I just love that.. <3
I agree with Melissa and Summit did right by not merging.
I so ageer with Meslissa.i love how they are not well known.and i do think that lionsgate just wants the monye summit made with twilight.I hope they dont merg in the furter
Summit should not merge with LGE.