Davis Entertainment

History

The company was founded in 1984 by filmmaker John Davis and it was incorporated in Nevada on December 2, 1985. The company was officially established on May 21, 1986, in order to produce mid-to-high budget action films that were financed entirely by a studio, starting with Predator, a co-production with Lawrence Gordon Productions and Silver Pictures, and a series of other films that were planned for release by 20th Century Fox. It was decided that it would be done independently with co-investors, and it would help anticipate the expansion of telefilms and sitcoms.

On February 18, 1987, Davis Entertainment partnered with Mark L. Lester of his Mark Lester Films company in order to handle the development of action-adventure films which were produced by the company, directed by Mark L. Lester, and it was independently financed by the two companies. The films that were made by the Lester/Davis alliance had ranked in the $5–10 million range, and would expect the co-venture to handle the production of two films before the yearend.

In 1994, it launched its first foray into interactive games, and launched Catapult Entertainment, Inc., intended to produce a modem that would link video game players by telephone lines; this would end up becoming the XBAND. That same year, Davis Entertainment Company signed a production deal with 20th Century Fox to develop feature films.

In 1995, Davis Entertainment launched its art-house division Davis Entertainment Classics, which was subsequently renamed Davis Entertainment Filmworks in 2002. In 1998, Davis Entertainment struck a deal with 20th Century Fox Television to produce television shows for its networks, both broadcast and cable.

In 2007, Michael Dorman joined its television division. At the same time, they signed a development pact with Fox Television Studios to produce series for television.

In 2011, John Fox, a former employee of 20th Century Fox, joined the company. In 2013, it signed a deal with Sony Pictures Television to develop television shows for platforms, broadcast, cable and streaming.

Filmography

Theatrical films

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010s

2020s

Upcoming

Direct-to-video films

1990s

2000s

Television/Streaming movies

1990s

2000s

2010s

2020s

Upcoming

Television series

2010s

2020s

Upcoming

Highest-grossing films

References

References

1. (1986-05-21). "John Davis Forms Prod. Outfit For Mid-To-Hi Budget Actioneers". [[Variety (magazine).
2. (1987-02-18). "Davis, Lester Pair For Action Films". [[Variety (magazine).
3. (1994-06-07). "Company Town : In the Name of the Son : John Davis Is Working to Make His Own Mark".
4. McNary, Dave. (2005-09-23). "Davis reups deal at Fox".
5. Abrams, Rachel. (2011-04-12). "Fox ankles Fox for Davis Entertainment".
6. (1995-05-22). "Davis cranks up Classics arm".
7. Harris, Dana. (2002-01-15). "Davis redubs indie banner".
8. Hontz, Jenny. (1998-10-20). "Davis, Fox ink TV pact".
9. Schneider, Michael. (2007-10-24). "John Davis takes Fox TV deal".
10. (29 July 2013). "'The Blacklist' Producers Ink First Look Deal at Sony TV (Exclusive)".
11. Kinsey, Michelle. (June 5, 2004). "Hometown cat Garfield's movie opens next week". The Star Press.
12. (1 February 2021). "Zachary Levi to Star in Sony's Live-Action 'Harold and the Purple Crayon' (Exclusive)".
13. Grobar, Matt. (January 4, 2024). "'Flight Risk': Topher Grace & Michelle Dockery Join Mark Wahlberg In Mel Gibson-Helmed Lionsgate Thriller".
14. Fleming, Mike Jr.. (March 29, 2023). "Amazon Studios Wins 'The Pick Up' Package In 7-Figure Deal; Eddie Murphy Eyeing Star Role & Tim Story To Direct Kevin Burrows-Matt Mider Spec".
15. D'Alessandro, Anthony. (October 22, 2024). "Marvel Studios' 'Blade' Removed From 2025 Release Schedule, Disney Dates 'Predator: Badlands' Instead".
16. Shanfeld, Ethan. (14 October 2024). "Hugh Jackman, Kate Hudson to Star in 'Song Sung Blue' Musical Film About Neil Diamond Tribute Band".
17. Borys Kit. (September 11, 2012). "'All of Me' Remake in the Works at DreamWorks". The Hollywood Reporter.
18. Justin Kroll. (October 30, 2013). "Universal Turning 1970s Series 'It Takes a Thief' into Film (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety.
19. Matt Grobar. (September 22, 2021). "'Summertime': Will Smith Song In Works As Screen Gems Musical Feature From Westbrook Studios & Davis Entertainment". Deadline Hollywood.
20. (March 31, 2022). "Eddie Murphy To Play Godfather Of Funk George Clinton In Biopic". [[Penske Media Corporation]].
21. Keegan, Prosser. (August 1, 2021). "Jungle Cruise: Dwayne Johnson Meeting With Disney to Discuss Sequel".
22. Kit, Borys. (August 30, 2021). "'Jungle Cruise' Sequel in the Works at Disney (Exclusive)".
23. Fleming, Mike Jr.. (March 23, 2023). "Paramount Sets Remake Of Hitchcock's 'Vertigo' As Potential Robert Downey Jr-Starrer; Steven Knight To Write Script & Davis Entertainment To Produce With Team Downey".
24. Reich, Kenneth. (March 3, 1997). "Mammoth Area Avoids Fallout From 'Volcano'". Los Angeles Times.
25. (15 September 2015). "'Behind Enemy Lines' Series Adaptation Of Movie Thriller Set At Fox As Put Pilot".
26. (January 22, 2020). "NBC Picks Up Drama Pilots 'At That Age' & 'Echo'". [[Deadline Hollywood]].
27. (20 November 2020). "Predator 5 in the works from 10 Cloverfield Lane director Dan Trachtenberg".
28. Kroll, Justin. (September 29, 2020). "Joey King To Star And Exec Produce Netflix's Adaptation of 'Uglies' With McG Directing". Deadline.
29. Milligan, Mercedes. (April 8, 2025). "20th Century Reveals 'Predator: Killer of Killers' Animated Original for Hulu".
30. Andreeva, Nellie. (March 28, 2022). "Matt Passmore & Floriana Lima To Headline NBC Drama Pilot 'Blank Slate'".