LOS ANGELES, CA, December 20, 2010 – Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. today announced that the company’s restructuring has become effective, with exit financing of $500 million in place. The company’s “pre-packaged” plan of reorganization (the “Plan”) was confirmed on December 2, 2010, by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York.
“MGM is emerging from one of the most challenging periods of its storied history. We are honored and inspired at the opportunity of leading one of Hollywood’s most iconic studios into its next generation of unforgettable filmmaking, global television production and distribution, and aggressively pursuing, developing and exploiting new digital entertainment platforms,” said Gary Barber and Roger Birnbaum, Co-Chairmen and Chief Executive Officers of MGM. “Beginning today, MGM is a stronger, more competitive company, with a solid financial foundation and a bright future. We look forward to working with MGM’s dedicated employees to build upon this company’s legacy.”
MGM has a significantly improved financial position with secured lenders exchanging approximately $5 billion, including accrued interest and fees, for most of the equity in the company. As part of its exit financing, MGM raised $500 million to fund operations, including production of a new slate of films and television series. JPMorgan arranged MGM exit financing.





Such a missed opportunity for Lionsgate. Hope they still try to make it work.
I thought Lionsgate was still interested in a merger and was simply waiting for MGM to emerge from bankruptcy?
Next step -> sue Harry Sloan for trying to screw them over.
Now that Leo’s got that outta the way:
Lock down Sony for distribution on 007, rebrand UA as an art-house label, and try developing some original projects instead of caving into remake pressure!
If they pull it off it will be one of the best comeback stories of a company, film related or otherwise.
Um, so that will pay for “The Hobbit”; where will they get the money for James Bond 23? Profits from “The Hobbit”, I’m guessing…
Oddly, I feel no snark at all over this announcement.
Bottom line, thankful for another buyer in this market.
——-
That passed.
I expect Amy Baer and Wolfgang Hammer to be working here in in a month.
Michael, what makes you think MGM is going to wait till The Hobbit turns a profit to fund Bond 23? That would mean Bond 23 won’t go into production until 2013 or 2014. All evidence so far points to a late 2012 release for B23. MGM will most likely split the budget cost with Sony, WB, or Paramount.
Remember that Birnbaum/Barber have great relationships with Paramount. Don’t be shocked if there are multiple co-productions with them.
MGM has three films already in the can that will be released in 2011. Kevin James’ Zookeeper, Chris Hemsworth ‘ Red Dawn and Joss Whedon’s 3d horror film Cabin in the Woods. Now if they can get that Robocop reboot off the ground that would be something.
They handed over distribution of “Zookeeper” to Sony. heck…they probably should hand over distribution of all their product to Sony.
Cabin in the Woods was never converted to 3D. That was the plan, but they never did it.
They will stand a better chance at playing jack straws with their butt cheeks than launching that Red Dawn… Not worth the cost of distribution, makes “GI Joe” look like “Lawrence of Arabia”.
oh, yes! Robocop reboot. Absolutely, support that notion. Good boy stuff….
Good luck to MGM!! I think these guys can rebuild this iconic studio.
Sadly… they should have put Metro Goldwyn-Mayer out of its misery and have a dignified death before Kerkorian got his greedy hands on it.
Whats the point of taking an historic, iconic namebrand that was once the tiffany of Hollywood studios and resurrecting it as a very small fraction of its former self, with no connection to its former self bar the name and the logo… well it’s like seeing the Rolls Royce brand on Kia cars. Besides none of the studios today have any personal identity or respect for their past anyway!
IS GLICKMAN GOING TO BE PRESIDENT OF MGM?
Lionsgate should stay as far away from the curse of MGM as possible. They are MUCH better off without the weight of a 2 Billion payment of MGM hanging on their back. If MGM can pull this off it will be the comeback of the century. I hope they can but so far it looks like business as usual and the only ones who are going to get rich are Gary Barber and Roger Birnbaum. Look for their names plastered all over the Hobbit and the next Bond movie. Cha Ching!
Well that’s great!
Now MGM needs to save its 2nd most profitable franchise besides 007, Stargate.
Okay. Good luck Secured Lenders because there’s nothing secure about your decision. But you did display nerve and the universe rewards those who think big. However when you dip in to tired Producers to envision the future for the Lion, you’ve put one foot in the bucket and you should be worried. Nothing would make people happier than to have a vibrant MGM in the busines, but before anyone decides THIS version is better than the LAST, let’s see what the plan is. Someone mentioned Amy Baer, Wolfgang Hammer or Jon Glickman coming on board and if that were to be the case, the signal to the world will be business as usual, throw the same ole dice to see if the same ole results are miraculously different. But that’s what will happen so pessimism rules this announcement in spite of the fact that everyone who wants to be optimistic before the holidays. Gary and Roger have a moment in time to reset the table. Only time will tell.
Good Luck Gary & Roger! If there is any team in our industry who can turn it around I am betting on you. Kudos to Jonathan! MGM has a vast film nd TV library as well as strong television distribution assests via its satellite and cable channels. The future growth is digital distribution content directly to the consumers home, streaming via the web, mobile and social networks. UA brand notably a platform for independent filmmakers. UA needs to focus on acquisitions, to build and grow the library while MGM co-produces and finances and monetizes its IP in emerging platforms and content needs such as 3D TV. 3D conversion of library gems. But I’m sure you already thought about it. Nonetheless, Break a leg!
Good Luck Gary and Roger.If there’s any team who can turn this thing around I am betting on you. Kudos for Jonathan.
UA is a an excellent brand! Notably it has been associated as a platform for independent filmmakers. UA should focus on acquisitions build and grow the library while MGM mines its rich IP and produces and co-finances.
MGM has strong presence in television via its own satellite and cable channels. Strategic development in digital distribution and the emerging need for 3D content that through conversion could monetize the library gems.
I just hope they release the rest of the Bond Films to blu-ray. there are a LOT of Bond Fans ready to buy those films in HD. and not just in box sets ether Please.
Bond movies released every two years? Good Luck!
Sure will need a top team for that.
now they can make the next Stargate SG1 and Stargate Atlantis movies
500 million, sure does not seem like much money, given that some movies can cost 100 million, easily.
Bond 23: Casino MGM, or how I learned to love the gross, and stop worrying about art.
Seems scary to me, trying to pull a company out in this market.
Sure will be interesting to read about the Bond movies trying to release every two years. Good luck finding that type of talent, and work load.