Banijay-All3Media Merger, Idris Elba’s West Africa Production Push, Paramount’s Elm Street Reboot, Netflix’s Monopoly Series ..and More This Week

This week, the global entertainment industry saw major consolidation, franchise revivals, and strategic expansion.

From the Banijay–All3Media merger creating the world’s largest independent production company to Idris Elba’s push into West African filmmaking, alongside Paramount’s A Nightmare on Elm Street reboot and Netflix’s Monopoly competition series, the week’s biggest developments reflect how studios are scaling IP, investing in new markets, and expanding content ecosystems.

Want to discover who’s acquiring similar IP, forming strategic partnerships, investing in new markets, or expanding production worldwide? Ask VIQI.

Sony’s TriStar Pictures acquired the movie rights to Trevor Henderson’s viral internet horror character ‘Cartoon Cat’ following a competitive bidding situation. The feature project will be produced by Roy Lee, Steven Schneider, Scott Glassgold, J. Todd Harris, Thomas Pettinelli, and Marc Marcum. (🇺🇸)

Belgian distributor Primitives has secured the first international adaptation for its reality adventure format ‘The Expedition’ with broadcaster France Télévisions. The French local version, which features eight celebrities navigating extreme environments, was produced by Warner Bros. International Television Production France and is scheduled to air during the upcoming winter season. (🇧🇪)

South Korean media company Webtoon Productions has signed an exclusive first-look development deal with Spanish production company Espotlight. The partnership will focus on adapting popular Spanish-language literary titles from the Wattpad platform into television series and feature films for local and global markets. (🇪🇸)

List notable television and film adaptations globally that originated as Spanish-language Wattpad literary titles.

Paramount Pictures greenlit a reboot of the horror film ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’ under its new label, Paramount Primal. The studio acquired the U.S. distribution rights from the Wes Craven estate, with Iya Labunka and Jonathan Craven set to produce the project. (🇺🇸)

Provide examples of classic horror screenplays from the 1980s that have been rebooted by modern studios.

Oberon Media, Vilaüt Films, and Mestra Media 2024 A.I.E., alongside Saga Film and 3Cat, have commenced filming the historical drama ‘Maestras’ in Barcelona. Directed by Judith Colell, the film stars Bruna Cusí, Daniela Brown, and Natalia de Molina. The project secured €1 million from the ICAA for upcoming distribution by Filmax. (🇪🇸)

Netflix has greenlit and opened casting for the competition series ‘Monopoly’, developed in partnership with Hasbro Entertainment and produced by Studio Lambert. The unscripted reality series will feature 12 contestants playing on a life-sized town square for a $2 million prize. It is slated to premiere in fall 2027. (🇺🇸)

Boutique distributor 1-2 Special grabbed the North American rights for the French period drama ‘A Man of His Time’ from sales company Charades. The Cannes award-winning film, directed by Emmanuel Marre, stars popular cast member Swann Arlaud. (🇺🇸)

Outline 1-2 Special’s upcoming theatrical release slate and their strategy for distributing European independent films in North America.

Greece-based sales agency Heretic acquired the worldwide sales rights for the Canadian drama ‘Nobody’s Violence’ from production company Voyelles Films ahead of its Locarno Film Festival premiere. The Denis Côté-directed film features a popular cast including Larissa Corriveau and Philippe Rebbot. (🇬🇷)

Vertigo Releasing has acquired the UK and Ireland distribution rights for Taratoa Stappard’s Māori gothic horror film ‘Mārama’ from the US-based MPI Media Group. The project stars Ariāna Osborne alongside Toby Stephens, Errol Shand, and Emi Meyers. Vertigo Releasing plans a theatrical launch this autumn. (🇬🇧)

Brazilian broadcaster Globo commissioned the first international adaptation of the competition format ‘Upside Down’. Rights were secured from Banijay Entertainment, whose Dutch entity EndemolShine Nederland created the original concept. Endemol Shine Brasil will produce the local version at Banijay Studios. (🇧🇷)

ChaiFlicks has acquired exclusive US, UK, and Australian SVOD rights to both seasons of the acclaimed New Zealand comedy series Kid Sister from Seven.One Studios International. Created by and starring Simone Nathan (Our Flag Means Death), the 10-episode series is scheduled to make its exclusive streaming debut on the platform this fall. (🇳🇿)

The streaming platform Documentary+ has aquired worldwide rights for the documentary film ‘Shadows in Sunlight’ from production companies Nobel Prize Outreach and Grain Media. Directed by Ruhi Hamid, the film documents the dangerous frontline mission of polio vaccination volunteer Ishrat Rahim in Pakistan. (🇺🇸)

Banijay Group and RedBird IMI have finalized the merger of Banijay Entertainment and All3Media, forming the world’s largest independent production company. Jointly owned by both parent companies via a 50-50 stake, the newly merged entity will operate under the Banijay Entertainment name and establish its global corporate headquarters in London. (🇬🇧)

Panorama Studios International and Cinépolis India have formed a strategic theatrical distribution partnership for the Delhi and UP Circuit. The joint distribution arrangement kicks off with films like ‘Dhamaal 4’ starring Ajay Devgn and Riteish Deshmukh, and ‘Baby Do Die Do’ starring Huma Qureshi. Upcoming titles include ‘Mahaprabhu Jagannath’ and ‘Hanuman Ansh’. (🇮🇳)

Channel 4 has partnered with brand North Sails and production company Finite Films & TV for the digital series ‘Force of Nature’. Distributed exclusively across Channel 4 Sport’s platforms, the project features athletes Cohan van Dijk, Noé Cantaloube, and Pierre Mortefon, alongside commentary by Ariana Bravo, competing in extreme water sports. (🇬🇧)

Amazon MGM Studios has submitted a planning application to the Royal Borough to expand and modernise the historic Bray Film Studios in the UK. The streaming giant, which has used the site for major projects like ‘The Rings of Power’ and ‘Citadel’, plans to build six new sound stages and four workshop buildings. (🇺🇸)

Versant-owned digital video platform Fandango has expanded and unified its ad-supported VOD streaming service, formerly called Fandango at Home, under its main brand. The updated platform includes content from the Versant library and live Bundesliga coverage via USA Sports, offering new features like account-free guest viewing and one-click instant playback. (🇺🇸)

Idris Elba’s 22Summers, Moses Babatope’s Nile Media Entertainment Group, and Chee Keong Cheung’s Action Xtreme have launched a strategic production partnership. The alliance will develop and produce a slate of high-energy action features across West Africa to cultivate local creative talent, with Nile Entertainment handling regional African distribution. (🇳🇬)