France’s Mediawan Buys Germany’s Leonine Studios
France’s Mediawan has acquired Germany’s Leonine Studios.
The deal, financial terms of which were not revealed, has been bubbling since November last year. Call My Agent maker Mediawan has owned a 25% stake in the business since 2020.
More from Deadline
The Onion, Following Acquisition, Names Former NBC News Reporter Ben Collins CEO - Update
RTL Deutschland Strikes Long-Term German Films Pact With Wiedemann & Berg Film And Leonine Studios
Paramount Shares Leap As Investors Cheer Sony-Apollo Scenario
The all-stock deal will see the two companies move even closer together and forms a major European indie studio with 85 labels operating across 13 countries and revenues of more than €1B ($1.1B).
Leonine was founded in 2019 by Fred Kogel with financial support from KKR — a Mediawan backer — and Atwater Capital through acquiring and merging TMG, Universum Film, i&u TV and Wiedemann & Berg Film, and then W&B Television, SEO Entertainment, Hyperbole, BeetzBros Film Production and Toon2Tango.
Productions from within the group include The Lives of Others, School of Magical Animals, Dark, The Gryphon, Crooks, Juan Carlos – Downfall of The King, and The Cleaners. It also has certain rights to blockbuster titles such as the John Wick franchise, Hunger Games – The Ballad Of Songbirds and Snakes, Knives Out, Everything, Everywhere All At Once and The Zone of Interest.
Kogel will lead operations in German-speaking regions and alongside existing management and joins Mediawan’s executive committee.
The deal is subject to antitrust clearance from authorities in Germany and Austria, and certain other regulatory approvals.
Pierre-Antoine Capton, Xavier Niel and Matthieu Pigasse formed Mediawan in 2015.
Best of Deadline
TV Cancellations Photo Gallery: Series Ending In 2024 & Beyond
Hollywood & Media Deaths In 2024: Photo Gallery & Obituaries
2024 Premiere Dates For New & Returning Series On Broadcast, Cable & Streaming
Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.