Working Title Films

Working Title is a British film and television production company owned by Universal Pictures. The company was founded by Tim Bevan and Sarah Radclyffe in 1983. It produces feature films and several television productions. Eric Fellner and Tim Bevan are now the co chairmen of the company.

Working Title Films Limited
TypeSubsidiary
IndustryFilm production
Founded1983
Founders
Headquarters,
Number of locations
Key people
ParentUniversal Pictures
(NBCUniversal Film and Entertainment)
DivisionsWT2 Productions
Working Title Television
WebsiteOfficial website

Company

Working Title Films was co founded by producers Tim Bevan and Sarah Radclyffe in 1983. In 1992, PolyGram became the company's corporate backer. Radclyffe left Working Title, and Eric Fellner, a fellow independent film producer, joined the company.[1]

The company produced a variety of films for PolyGram's London based production company, PolyGram Filmed Entertainment. An Anglo-Dutch film studio, PolyGram Films became a major Hollywood competitor. In 1998, Seagram sold the bulk of its library of PolyGram films released up until March 31, 1996 to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

In 1999, PolyGram was sold to the Seagram company and merged with MCA Music Entertainment, to form Universal Music Group. PolyGram Films was sold and folded into Universal Pictures in 1999. Although contractually allowed to produce any film with a budget of up to $35 million, on a practical basis, Bevan and Fellner consult with studio executives at Working Title's parent company NBCUniversal.[2]

Working Title is headquartered in London, and has an office in Los Angeles, which is headed by producer Liza Chasin. More recently, the production company renewed its first look deal with Universal Pictures.[3]

WT2 Productions

In 1999, Bevan and Fellner launched a subsidiary company named Working Title 2 Productions, commonly known as WT2. The company is an independent film production arm run by Natascha Wharton, and has produced films that include Billy Elliot, Shaun of the Dead and The Calcium Kid.[1]

Television division

Working Title has been active in television production since the beginning of the 1990s.[4] In February 2010, Working Title officially launched its television division as a joint venture with parent company NBCUniversal, itself owned by Comcast.[5] Since then, they have produced content for both British and American television.[6][7] Notable productions and co productions developed by Working Title Television (WTTV)[8] include NBC's About a Boy, and Showtime's The Tudors.[4]

WTTV has offices in London and Los Angeles.[9][10]

TV productions

Title Years Co-production Network Notes
The Baldy Man1995–98Central Independent TelevisionITV
Randall & Hopkirk2000–01BBC One
The Tudors2007–2010Reveville Erie
Octagon Entertainment
Peace Arch Entertainment
Showtime Networks
BBC Two
CBC Television
Showtime
TV3
Love Bites2011Loud Blouse Productions
Universal Television
NBC
Yonderland2013–16 Sky 1
About a Boy2014–15True Jack Productions
Tribeca Productions
Universal Television
NBC
You, Me and the Apocalypse2015BigBalls Films
British Sky Broadcasting and NBCUniversal International Studios
Sky 1
NBC
Gypsy2017Universal TelevisionNetflix
Hanna2019–presentTomorrow Studios
NBCUniversal International Studios
Amazon Video
Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City2019Sweatpants Productions
Tomorrow Studios
Universal Television
NBCUniversal International Studios
Netflix

1991 ITV franchise bid

In 1991, Working Title was involved in a bid for the London Weekend ITV licence. Working Title, Mentorn, Palace and PolyGram wanted to take over from London Weekend Television and broadcast to London under the name London Independent Broadcasting. In the event LWT retained its licence; London Independent Broadcasting's proposals were deemed by the Independent Television Commission, which was overseeing the bid process, to fail the quality threshold.[11]

Films

1980s

Release date Title Notes
15 November 1985My Beautiful Laundrettewith Channel Four Films
24 July 1987Wish You Were Herewith Channel Four Films
30 October 1987Sammy and Rosie Get Laidwith Channel Four Films
10 September 1988Paperhouse
13 April 1989The Tall Guywith London Weekend Television
19 May 1989For Queen and Country

1990s

Release date Title Notes
27 July 1990Chicago Joe and the Showgirlwith PolyGram Filmed Entertainment and New Line Cinema
24 May 1991Drop Dead Fredwith PolyGram Filmed Entertainment and New Line Cinema
21 August 1991Barton Finkwith 20th Century Fox
15 May 1992Rubin and Ed
7 August 1992London Kills Mewith PolyGram Filmed Entertainment and Fine Line Features
4 September 1992Bob Robertswith PolyGram Filmed Entertainment, Paramount Pictures, Miramax Films and LIVE Entertainment
23 April 1993Map of the Human Heartwith PolyGram Filmed Entertainment and Miramax Films
14 May 1993Possewith PolyGram Filmed Entertainment and Gramercy Pictures
8 October 1993The Young Americanswith PolyGram Filmed Entertainment and Live Entertainment
4 February 1994Romeo Is Bleedingwith PolyGram Filmed Entertainment and Gramercy Pictures
9 March 1994Four Weddings and a Funeralwith PolyGram Filmed Entertainment, Channel Four Films and Gramercy Pictures
11 March 1994The Hudsucker Proxywith PolyGram Filmed Entertainment, Warner Bros. and Silver Pictures
3 May 1995Pantherwith PolyGram Filmed Entertainment and Gramercy Pictures
5 May 1995French Kisswith PolyGram Filmed Entertainment and 20th Century Fox
29 September 1995Moonlight and Valentinowith PolyGram Filmed Entertainment and Gramercy Pictures
29 December 1995Dead Man Walkingwith PolyGram Filmed Entertainment and Gramercy Pictures
8 March 1996Fargowith PolyGram Filmed Entertainment and Gramercy Pictures
22 March 1996Land and Freedomwith PolyGram Filmed Entertainment and Gramercy Pictures
20 September 1996Loch Nesswith PolyGram Filmed Entertainment and Gramercy Pictures
7 March 1997The Eighth Daywith PolyGram Filmed Entertainment and Gramercy Pictures
2 August 1997Bean (Adaptation)with PolyGram Filmed Entertainment, Tiger Aspect Films and Gramercy Pictures
3 October 1997The MatchMakerwith PolyGram Filmed Entertainment and Gramercy Pictures
5 December 1997The Borrowerswith PolyGram Filmed Entertainment and Gramercy Pictures
6 March 1998The Big Lebowskiwith PolyGram Filmed Entertainment and Gramercy Pictures
22 November 1998Elizabethwith PolyGram Filmed Entertainment, StudioCanal, Channel Four Films and Gramercy Pictures
29 January 1999The Hi-Lo Countrywith PolyGram Filmed Entertainment and Gramercy Pictures
28 May 1999Notting Hillwith PolyGram Filmed Entertainment, StudioCanal and Universal Pictures
1 October 1999Plunkett & Macleanewith StudioCanal, PolyGram Filmed Entertainment and Gramercy Pictures

2000s

Release date Title Notes
31 March 2000High Fidelitywith Touchstone Pictures
13 October 2000Billy Elliotwith BBC Films, Tiger Aspect Productions, StudioCanal and Universal Focus
2 December 2000O Brother, Where Art Thou?with Touchstone Pictures, Universal Pictures and StudioCanal
13 April 2001Bridget Jones's Diarywith Universal Pictures, StudioCanal and Miramax Films
17 August 2001Captain Corelli's Mandolinwith Universal Pictures, StudioCanal and Miramax Films
2 November 2001The Man Who Wasn't Therewith USA Films, Gramercy Pictures and Good Machine
1 March 200240 Days and 40 Nightswith Universal Pictures, StudioCanal and Miramax Films
22 March 2002Ali G Indahousewith Universal Pictures and StudioCanal
17 May 2002About a Boywith Universal Pictures, StudioCanal and TriBeCa Productions
18 July 2003Johnny Englishwith Universal Pictures and StudioCanal
28 October 2003Long Time Deadwith Universal Pictures and Focus Features
14 November 2003Love Actuallywith Universal Pictures, StudioCanal and DNA Films
26 March 2004Ned Kellywith Focus Features and StudioCanal
30 July 2004Thunderbirdswith StudioCanal and Universal Pictures
17 September 2004Wimbledonwith Universal Pictures and StudioCanal
24 September 2004Shaun of the Deadwith Universal Pictures, StudioCanal and Rogue Pictures
19 November 2004Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reasonwith Universal Pictures, StudioCanal and Miramax Films
4 February 2005Rory O'Shea Was Herewith Focus Features and StudioCanal
22 April 2005The Interpreterwith Universal Pictures and StudioCanal
23 November 2005Pride & Prejudicewith Focus Features and StudioCanal
27 January 2006Nanny McPheewith Universal Pictures, StudioCanal and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
28 April 2006United 93with Universal Pictures and StudioCanal
27 October 2006Catch a Firewith Focus Features and StudioCanal
26 January 2007Smokin' Aceswith Universal Pictures and StudioCanal
14 February 2007Hot Fuzzwith Universal Pictures, StudioCanal and Rogue Pictures
24 March 2007Mr. Bean's Holiday (Adaptation)with Universal Pictures, StudioCanal and Tiger Aspect Productions
12 October 2007Elizabeth: The Golden Agewith Universal Pictures and StudioCanal
4 January 2008Atonementwith Focus Features and StudioCanal
14 February 2008Definitely, Maybewith Universal Pictures and StudioCanal
12 September 2008Burn After Readingwith Focus Features, Relativity Media and StudioCanal
5 December 2008Frost/Nixonwith Universal Pictures, Imagine Entertainment and StudioCanal
17 April 2009State of Playwith Universal Pictures and StudioCanal
2 October 2009A Serious Manwith Focus Features, Relativity Media and StudioCanal
13 November 2009The Boat That Rockedwith Universal Pictures and StudioCanal

2010s

Release date Title Notes
12 March 2010Green Zonewith Universal Pictures and StudioCanal
2 April 2010Nanny McPhee and the Big BangStudioCanal
18 March 2011Paulwith Universal Pictures and StudioCanal
12 August 2011Sennawith Universal Pictures and StudioCanal
21 October 2011Johnny English Rebornwith Universal Pictures and StudioCanal
9 December 2011Tinker Tailor Soldier Spywith Focus Features and StudioCanal
13 January 2012Contrabandwith Universal Pictures and StudioCanal
3 February 2012Big Miraclewith Universal Pictures and StudioCanal
16 November 2012Anna Kareninawith Focus Features and StudioCanal
25 December 2012Les Misérableswith Universal Pictures, Relativity Media and Cameron Mackintosh, Ltd.
8 February 2013I Give It a Yearwith StudioCanal
19 July 2013The World's Endwith Universal Pictures, Focus Features, and Relativity Media
28 August 2013Closed Circuitwith Focus Features
4 September 2013About Timewith Universal Pictures and StudioCanal
27 September 2013Rushwith Universal Pictures, Imagine Entertainment, Exclusive Media, Cross Creek Pictures and Revolution Films
9 October 2014Trashwith StudioCanal, O2 Filmes and PeaPie Films
1 January 2015The Theory of Everythingwith Focus Features
28 August 2015We Are Your Friendswith Warner Bros., StudioCanal and RatPac Entertainment
9 September 2015Legendwith Universal Pictures, StudioCanal, Cross Creek Pictures and Anton Capital Entertainment
18 September 2015Everestwith Universal Pictures, Walden Media and Cross Creek Pictures
14 October 2015The Programwith StudioCanal
27 November 2015The Danish Girlwith Pretty Pictures, Revision Pictures, Senator Global Productions, Universal Pictures International and Focus Features
5 February 2016Hail, Caesar!with Universal Pictures and Mike Zoss Productions
11 March 2016The Brothers Grimsbywith Columbia Pictures, Village Roadshow Pictures Big Talk Productions and Four by Two Productions
16 September 2016Bridget Jones's Baby[12]with StudioCanal, Miramax and Universal Pictures
30 June 2017Baby Driverwith Big Talk Productions, TriStar Pictures and Media Rights Capital
15 September 2017Victoria and Abdulwith BBC Films, Focus Features and Universal Pictures
13 October 2017The Snowmanwith Universal Pictures, Perfect World Pictures and Another Park Film
12 January 2018Darkest Hourwith Universal Pictures, Focus Features and Perfect World Pictures
16 March 20187 Days in Entebbewith Participant Media and Focus Features
26 October 2018Johnny English Strikes Againwith StudioCanal Perfect World Pictures and Universal Pictures
7 December 2018Mary Queen of Scotswith Perfect World Pictures, Focus Features and Universal Pictures
25 January 2019The Kid Who Would Be Kingwith Big Talk Productions TSG Entertainment and 20th Century Fox
28 June 2019Yesterdaywith Universal Pictures and Decibel Films
20 December 2019Catswith Universal Pictures, Amblin Entertainment, Monumental Pictures and Really Useful Group

2020s

Release date Title Notes
14 February 2020Emma.with Focus Features, Blueprint Pictures and Perfect World Pictures
29 May 2020The High Notewith Focus Features and Perfect World Pictures
24 July 2020Radioactivewith StudioCanal and Amazon Studios
21 October 2020Rebeccawith Netflix

Upcoming

Release Date Title Notes
22 October 2021Last Night in Soho[13]
TBACatherine, Called Birdy[14]
Cyrano[15]
Matilda[16]
What's Love Got to Do With It?[17]

In development

Title Notes
Unreasonable Behaviourco-production with Hardy Son & Baker[18]
Untitled Baby Driver sequel[19][20][21]
Untitled Yusra Mardini project[22]

References

  1. Higgins, Charlotte (16 April 2005). "Interview: Eric Fellner and Tim Bevan, co-chairmen Working Title Films". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  2. "Working Title – Skillset". The Guardian.
  3. Kay, Jeremy (11 December 2020). "Universal, Working Title renew first-look deal through 2025". Screen. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
  4. "Working Title Television [gb]". IMDb. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  5. Laughlin, Andrew (17 February 2010). "Working Title launches TV division". Digital Spy. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  6. Andreeva, Nellie (16 November 2011). "Working Title Television Sells 6 Projects". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  7. Leo Barraclough. "Working Title Television Produces 'The Secrets' for BBC". Variety.
  8. "About WTTV". workingtitlefilms.com. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  9. Prudom, Laura (17 October 2014). "BBC America Co-Producing 'London Spy' Miniseries with Ben Whishaw, Jim Broadbent". Variety. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  10. "Liza Chasin". Variety. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  11. Davidson, Andrew, Under the Hammer: The ITV Franchise Battle, William Heinemann Ltd., p. 297.
  12. Stuart Kemp, Matthew Belloni (3 February 2012). "'Bridget Jones 3' Producer Admits Delay, Vows to Shoot Film in 2012". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  13. Kroll, Justin (4 February 2019). "Anya Taylor-Joy to Star in Edgar Wright's Thriller 'Last Night in Soho' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  14. Goldberg, Lesley (21 August 2019). "Lena Dunham Launches New Production Company". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
  15. MGM Lands ‘Cyrano’; Joe Wright-Directed Working Title Stage Adaptation Stars Peter Dinklage, Haley Bennett, Brian Tyree Henry & Ben Mendelsohn
  16. Wood, Alex (17 January 2020). "New Matilda film confirmed – expected to start shooting later this year". WhatsOnStage. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  17. Wiseman, Andreas (2 November 2020). "Lily James, Shazad Latif & Emma Thompson To Star In Working Title Rom-Com 'What's Love Got To Do With It?' From Jemima Khan & Shekhar Kapur; Studiocanal Launches Sales — AFM Hot Pic". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  18. Wiseman, Andreas (19 November 2020). "Angelina Jolie To Direct Movie 'Unreasonable Behaviour' About Revered War Photographer Don McCullin; Working Title & Hardy Son & Baker Producing". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  19. Collis, Clark (December 4, 2017). "How director Edgar Wright steered Baby Driver to global success". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on December 7, 2018. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
  20. Hall, Jacob (5 December 2017). "'Baby Driver' Sequel "Being Hammered Out," Edgar Wright Plans to Write the Screenplay". /Film. Retrieved 6 December 2017.
  21. Travis, Ben; Nugent, John (21 January 2019). "Edgar Wright's Next Film Is A Psychological Horror, Plus Baby Driver 2 Update – Exclusive". Empire. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  22. Ritman, Alex. "Working Title, Stephen Daldry Reteam for Story of Syrian Refugee-Turned-Olympian". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
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