Millennium Media

American film company From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Millennium Media

Millennium Media (formerly Nu Image and Millennium Films) is an American independent film production and financing company that was founded by Avi Lerner, Trevor Short, Danny Dimbort and Danny Lerner in 1992, and is one of Hollywood's[1] longest running independent film companies.[2] Millennium creates, produces, finances, and sells[3] films worldwide. The company produces action films, most of which are filmed primarily in South Africa and Bulgaria (by 2005, it acquired Nu Boyana Film Studios),[4] among other locations.

Quick Facts Formerly, Company type ...
Millennium Media
Formerly
  • Nu Image (1992–2017)
Company typePrivate
IndustryEntertainment
Predecessors
Founded1992
Founder
Headquarters,
United States
Key people
  • Avi Lerner
  • Trevor Short
ProductsMotion Pictures
SubsidiariesMillennium Films (1999–2017)
Millennium Entertainment (2001–2014)
Websitewww.millennium-media.net
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History

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Perspective

Nu Metro Entertainment

In the mid-1980s, The Cannon Group, Inc. began expanding its operation into Africa, taking advantage of cheap locations and labor in countries such as Zimbabwe and South Africa. Avi Lerner opened Nu Metro Entertainment, a film production company based in Johannesburg to accommodate production demands in the countries.[5] During this time, Lerner executive produced many films, such as American Ninja 2: The Confrontation and River of Death for Cannon as well as Howling IV: The Original Nightmare for Harry Alan Towers.

Nu Image

After pressure from anti-apartheid forces, Cannon closed its African operations in 1988,[6] Lerner created a new company, Nu Image, to produce original, low budget films alongside his brother Danny Lerner and other Cannon employees Trevor Short, Danny Dimbort and Boaz Davidson.[5]

From 1992, Nu Image began producing multiple films a year, mainly in the action genre. Many of its films went direct-to-video, however some, such as Shark Attack debuted on television. Many stars, writers and directors from The Cannon Group, Inc. appeared in films for Nu Image, including David Bradley, Michael Dudikoff, Sam Firstenberg and Billy Drago. They also built a new generation of action talent such as Bryan Genesse[7] and Joe Lara.[8]

However, their efforts to break into the mainstream with mockbusters such as Freefall starring Eric Roberts, Jeff Fahey and Pamela Gidley, created to capitalise on the success of Sylvester Stallone's Cliffhanger failed to make much of an impact. Freefall ended up going direct-to-video.[9]

After the successes of creature features such as Anaconda and Deep Blue Sea released in the late 1990s, Nu Image produced a spate of low budget franchises to capitalise on the trend including; Tobe Hooper's Crocodile, Shark Attack, Spiders, Killer Rats, Octopus and Raging Sharks and various sequels were produced from 1999 to 2005. While not critically successful, the films were extremely successful on television and home media.

Millennium Films & Millennium Entertainment

In 1999, Nu Image formed a subsidiary label, Millennium Films, for higher-budget productions. From the mid-2000s, the main Nu Image company gradually began producing fewer films, with Millennium Films releasing more with a greater level of financing than previously.

In 2005, it purchased Nu Boyana Film Studios in Bulgaria.[10]

In March 2007, Nu Image acquired a controlling 52% stake in independent film and home video company First Look Studios. As a result, Nu Image and Millennium Films were given an additional outlet for home video and theatrical distribution.[11]

One of the first films to be produced by Millennium Films was the remake The Wicker Man starring Nicolas Cage.[12] The film was a critical and commercial failure.[13][14] They continued on with a focus on sequels and remakes of notable properties such as Day of the Dead[15] and Rambo.[16] After the commercial success of Rambo,[17][18] Millennium Films entered into a multi-year deal with Lionsgate to produce several big-budgeted films, the first of which was Conan the Barbarian.[19] The deal would be extended over the years with successful box-office hits (The Mechanic[20]) and box office bombs (The Legend of Hercules[21]). Another notable success was Olympus Has Fallen starring Gerard Butler.[22]

In November 2010, First Look filed for bankruptcy. Nu Image formed Millennium Entertainment, LLC to assume the assets of First Look.[23]

Millennium Entertainment was sold in August 2014. The company's library and distribution assets had been sold to a consortium consisting of its current management and Virgo Investment Group. The new owners renamed the company Alchemy in January 2015, finally cutting ties to its former sister company Millennium Films, which remained under the control of Avi Lerner.[24] Alchemy filed for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy on June 30, 2016.[25]

Millennium Media

In 2017, a deal was reached with The Recon Group, a Chinese investment firm, for them to purchase a majority stake in the Millennium Films subsidiary.[26] The deal was signed and a $20 million downpayment was secured.[27] However, this deal was later announced to be off in August 2017 due to the Chinese government clamping down on overseas business investments.[28] The same year, Millennium Films was merged into Nu Image to form Millennium Media.

In 2017, Millennium faced sexual harassment allegations alleging hostile workplace and rampant sexual harassment and gender disparity.[29]

In 2018, actor Terry Crews testified in front of Congress that he had been threatened by Avi Lerner of Millennium Media not to testify in his sexual assault case.[30]

Films

More information Year, Title ...
Year Title Notes Ref
1988 The Stay Awake[31]
1989 Crazy Camera (Ochlim Lokshim)[32]
The Big Gag[33]
Kill Slade[34]
Funny Face[35]
1990 African Express[36]
1992 Lethal Ninja[37]
1993 You're Famous[38]
Terminator Woman[39]
That Englishwoman[40]
Cyborg CopDirect-to-video[41]
Point of Impact[42]
1994 Woman of Desire[43]
Double Suspicion[44]
Private Lessons II[45]
Project Shadowchaser IIDirect-to-video[46]
Freefall[47]
F.T.W.[48]
Warriors[49]
Blood of the InnocentDirect-to-video[50]
Blood RunTelevision film[51]
Cyborg Cop IIDirect-to-video[52]
Illicit Dreams[53]
1995 Never Say Die[54]
Personal VendettaTelevision film[55]
Lunarcop[56]
Human Time BombDirect-to-video[57]
Wild Side[58]
Search and Destroy[59]
Septembers of Shiraz[60]
Passover Fever (Leylasede)[61]
Hard JusticeDirect-to-video[62]
The Last Word[63]
The Immortals[64]
Raging Angels[65]
Man with a Gun[66]
Project Shadowchaser IIIDirect-to-video[67]
Cyborg Cop IIIDirect-to-video[68]
1996 Dog WatchDirect-to-video[69]
Street Gun[70]
Warhead[71]
Hollow Point[72]
Hello, She LiedTelevision film[73]
Danger Zone[74]
Deadly Outbreak[75]
Past PerfectDirect-to-video[76]
The Last Days of Frankie the Fly[77]
Forest WarriorDirect-to-video[78]
Judge and Jury[79]
Project Shadowchaser IVDirect-to-video[80]
1997 Mossad[81]
Plato's RunDirect-to-video[82]
Operation Delta ForceTelevision film[83]
American Perfekt[84]
Merchant of Death[85]
Top of the World[86]
The Maker[87]
Lesser Prophets[88]
Operation Delta Force 2: MaydayTelevision film[89]
The Peacekeeper[90]
Deathline[91]
Looking for Lola[92]
1998 Armstrong[93]
Some Girl[94]
Scar City[95]
Operation Delta Force 3: Clear TargetDirect-to-video[96]
Break Up[97]
Shadrach[98]
On the BorderTelevision film[99]
No Code of Conduct[100]
October 22[101]
Sweepers[102]
1999 The 4th Floor[103]
Guinevere[104]
Shark AttackTelevision film[105]
Cold HarvestDirect-to-video[106]
Bridge of Dragons[107]
The Big Brass Ring[108]
Operation Delta Force 4: Deep FaultDirect-to-video[109]
Traitor's Heart[110]
Cool Dog[111]
Lima: Breaking the Silence[112]
2000 Operation Delta Force 5: Random FireDirect-to-video[113]
U.S. SealsDirect-to-video[114]
Beat[115]
The Alternate[116]
Track Down[117]
City of FearDirect-to-video[118]
Married 2 Malcolm[119]
Spiders[120]
Forever Lulu[121]
How to Kill Your Neighbor's Dog[122]
OctopusTelevision film[123]
For the CauseDirect-to-video[124]
Shark Attack 2Direct-to-video[125]
CrocodileDirect-to-video[126]
2001 Diamond Cut Diamond[127]
Disaster[128]
SharkmanTelevision film[129]
Nobodys Baby[130]
Cold Heart[131]
U.S. Seals II: The Ultimate ForceDirect-to-video[132]
Skeletons in the Closet[133]
Spiders II: Breeding Ground[134]
Prozac Nation[135]
Replicant[136]
Edges of the Lord[137]
The Grey Zone[138]
Dead Awaker[139]
Diary of a Sex Addict[140]
Ticker[141]
Octopus 2: River of FearDirect-to-video[142]
The Order[143]
Flying Virus[144]
2002 SubmarinesDirect-to-video[145]
Air Panic[146]
Hard CashDirect-to-video[147]
Derailed[148]
Vampire Clan[149]
Reality Check[150]
Crocodile 2: Death Swamp[151]
Undisputed[152]
U.S. Seals 3: FrogmenDirect-to-video[153]
The Badge[154]
All I Want[155]
The Return from India (Ha-Shiva MeHodu)[156]
Shark Attack 3: MegalodonDirect-to-video[157]
WindfallTelevision film[158]
2003 MarinesDirect-to-video[159]
Killer Rats[160]
Death TrainDirect-to-video[161]
Sumuru[162]
Den of LionsDirect-to-video[163]
Special Forces[164]
Detention[165]
Alien Hunter[166]
Out for a KillDirect-to-video[167]
Air Marshal[168]
Shark ZoneDirect-to-video[169]
In Hell[170]
Blind Horizon[171]
Belly of the BeastDirect-to-video[172]
2004 Nature Unleashed: TornadoDirect-to-video[173]
Nature Unleashed: VolcanoDirect-to-video[174]
Alien LockdownTelevision film[175]
Skeleton ManTelevision film[176]
Air StrikeDirect-to-video[177]
Direct Action[178]
Shadow of Fear[179]
Nature Unleashed: AvalancheDirect-to-video[180]
Unstoppable[181]
Nature Unleashed: FireDirect-to-video[182]
ControlDirect-to-video[183]
2005 Nature Unleashed: EarthquakeDirect-to-video[184]
LarvaTelevision film[185]
Loverboy[186]
Raging SharksDirect-to-video[187]
Mosquito-ManTelevision film[188]
SnakeManTelevision film[189]
BloodsuckersTelevision film[190]
SubmergedDirect-to-video[191]
Target of Opportunity[192]
The Chumscrubber[193]
Before It Had a Name[194]
Mozart and the Whale[195]
Today You DieDirect-to-video[196]
Edison[197]
The Tenants[198]
The CutterDirect-to-video[199]
Days of Love (Yamim Shel Ahava)[200]
2006 16 Blocks[201]
End Game[202]
Undisputed II: Last Man StandingDirect-to-video[203]
Mercenary for JusticeDirect-to-video[204]
Journey to the End of the Night[205]
Relative Strangers[206]
The Black HoleTelevision film[207]
LightspeedDirect-to-video[208]
The Wicker Man[209]
The Black Dahlia[210]
Kraken: Tentacles of the DeepTelevision film[211]
The Contract[212]
Lonely Hearts[213]
Wicked Little Things[214]
Home of the Brave[215]
The Inquiry[216]
2007 GryphonTelevision film[217]
88 Minutes[218]
Until Death[219]
Cleaner[220]
When Nietzsche Wept[221]
Children of Wax[222]
Finding Rin Tin Tin[223]
Mega SnakeTelevision film[224]
The Death and Life of Bobby Z[225]
King of California[226]
Headless HorsemanTelevision film[227]
Showdown at Area 51Television film[228]
Blonde Ambition[229]
2008 Mad Money[230]
Rambo[231]
Day of the Dead[232]
Hero Wanted[233]
My Mom's New Boyfriend[234]
War, Inc.[235]
GhoulsTelevision film[236]
Shark in Venice[237]
Flu Bird HorrorTelevision film[238]
Righteous Kill[239]
Cyborg Soldier[240]
Kill SwitchDirect-to-video[241]
Private Valentine: Blonde & Dangerous[242]
Train[243]
The Prince & Me 3: A Royal HoneymoonDirect-to-video[244]
Witches: The Dunwich HorrorTelevision film[245]
2009 Thick as Thieves[246]
The Way of War[247]
Vampire in Vegas[248]
Direct Contact[249]
It's Alive
Cyborg Conquest[250]
Labor Pains[251]
Streets of BloodDirect-to-video[252]
Solitary Man[253]
Leaves of Grass[254]
Lies & Illusions[255]
WolvesbayneTelevision film[256]
Ninja[257]
Command Performance[258]
Double Identity[259]
Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans[260]
Memories of Anne Frank[261]
2010 Brooklyn's Finest[262]
House of Bones[263]
Hesher[264]
The Prince & Me: The Elephant AdventureDirect-to-video[265]
Quantum ApocalypseTelevision film[266]
As Good As Dead[267]
Undisputed III: Redemption[268]
The Expendables[269]
Stone[270]
Trust[271]
2011 The Son of No One[272]
The Mechanic[273]
Drive Angry[274]
Elephant White[275]
Blitz[276]
Conan the Barbarian[277]
Trespass[278]
2012 The Expendables 2[279]
The Iceman[280]
Stolen[281]
The Paperboy[282]
Playing for Keeps[283]
2013 Texas Chainsaw 3D[284]
Straight A's[285]
Lovelace[286]
Spiders 3D[287]
Olympus Has Fallen[288]
Killing Season[289]
The Big Wedding[290]
As I Lay Dying[291]
Homefront[292]
Ninja: Shadow of a Tear[293]
2014 The Legend of Hercules[294]
The Expendables 3[295]
The Humbling[296]
Before I Go to Sleep[297]
Autómata[298]
Good People[299]
The Taking of Deborah Logan[300]
Stonehearst Asylum[301]
2015 Body of Deceit[302]
88[303]
Frankenstein[304]
Survivor[305]
Intruders[306]
2016 London Has Fallen[307]
Criminal[308]
Mechanic: Resurrection[309]
Chuck[310]
The Late Bloomer[311]
2017 The Institute[312]
Security[313]
Boyka: Undisputed[314]
The Hitman's Bodyguard[315]
Leatherface[316]
Loving Pablo[317]
Acts of Vengeance[318]
Khali the Killer[319]
Day of the Dead: Bloodline[320]
2018 The Dare[321]
Hunter Killer[322]
2019 Hellboy[323]
The Poison Rose[324]
Angel Has Fallen[325]
Rambo: Last Blood[326]
Kill Chain
2020 The Outpost[327]
Tesla[328]
Blackbird[329]
2021 Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard[330]
Till Death[331]
Jolt[332]
The Protégé[333]
2023 The Offering[334]
Expend4bles[335]
2024 The Bricklayer[336][337]
Wanted Man[338]
Hellboy: The Crooked Man[339]
Dirty Angels[340]
2025 Red Sonja[341][342]
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References

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