The Directors of Global Entertainment Group plc ("GEG" or "the Company"), the
Asia-focused media and entertainment company, are pleased to announce that the
Company's wholly owned subsidiary, Global Entertainment Group (W) Ltd ("GEG(W)"),
has signed an investment agreement ("the Agreement") with QED International,LLC
("QED"), acting through Prescott Investments LLC, for an investment in Oliver
Stone's political biopic "W" ("the Film"). The total production budget for the
Film is approximately US$30 million, comprising US$6.9 million of equity
investment, of which 7.25% has been provided by the Company through GEG (W).
The Company's chairman Dr Johnny Hon will join "W" as executive producer along
with Albert Yeung, the chairman of Emperor Entertainment Group, Jon Kilik
("Babel" and "Alexander"), Eric Kopeloff ("Monster's Ball"), QED co-founders
Elliot Ferwerda and Paul Hanson, as well as Hong Kong actress and producer
Teresa Cheung.
GEG's international artist management agency, Morpheus Entertainment Management
and Agency Ltd, will also be responsible for incorporating the appearance of
two select artists into the Film.
Principal photography for "W" is currently underway in Shreveport, Louisiana.
The Film is scheduled to be released by Lionsgate on 17 October 2008, prior to
the US presidential election.
Inspired by one of the most controversial men in recent memory, "W" will
examine the life of George W. Bush his struggles and triumphs, how he found
both his wife and his faith and the critical days leading up to his decision to
invade Iraq. Academy Award® winning director Oliver Stone, who is best known
for films such as "World Trade Center", "Alexander", "JFK", "Wall Street" and
"Platoon", will direct and produce the Film. His previous films have reached
over US$1 billion gross profit in worldwide box office sales since "Platoon"
was released in 1986.
"W" will star Josh Brolin ("No Country For Old Men") as George W. Bush,
Elizabeth Banks ("Seabiscuit") as Laura Bush, James Cromwell ("The Queen") as
George Herbert Walker Bush, Academy Award® winner Ellen Burstyn ("Requiem for a
Dream") as Barbara Bush, Thandie Newton ("Crash") as Condoleezza Rice, Jeffrey
Wright ("Syriana") as Colin Powell, Scott Glenn ("The Bourne Ultimatum") as
Donald Rumsfeld, and Ioan Gruffudd ("Fantastic Four") as Tony Blair.
Dr Johnny Hon commented as follows: "We are thrilled to be teaming up with
award-winning director Oliver Stone on our first US feature film venture. This
is an excellent opportunity for GEG to bridge the gap between Asian and
Hollywood cinema, a goal of ours since day one. We look forward to potentially
working with QED again on future projects."
The Directors of GEG accept responsibility for the contents of this
announcement.
--- Ends ---
About Global Entertainment Group plc
Global Entertainment Group plc (GEG) is a vertically integrated media and
entertainment company focused on Film and Television Production, Cinema
Operations, Artist Management and Gaming and Risk Management. For additional
information, please visit www.gegplc.com.
About QED International
QED is a Beverly Hills based independent film company that represents
theatrical motion picture projects for sales and distribution in the worldwide
marketplace. The company also acquires, develops, finances and produces its own
motion pictures, either independently or in partnership with major studios,
talent and key foreign distributors.
QED Managing Partners include the Chief Executive Officer Bill Block; Senior
Vice President, Worldwide Sales and Distribution, Kimberly Fox; Chief Operating
Officer, Paul Hanson; and Vice President of Production, Elliot Ferwerda.
For further information please contact:
GEG plc Johnny Hon, Chairman +44 (0) 20 7073 7888
Rukpong Tupprasoot, COO info@gegplc.com
Atlantic Law Llp Andrew Greystoke +44 (0) 20 7616 2888
GTH Media Relations Toby Hall +44 (0) 20 7153 8039
Brooke Paul +44 (0) 20 7153 8035
QED International Dennis Dembia +33 (0) 6 07 32 74 25
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