Two years after striking a five-film slate deal at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival, Thunder Road Pictures is renewing their agreement with Cutting Edge Group and CEG’s investment arm, Conduct, in a seven-figure deal to extend the partnership for an additional five films. In exchange for future music rights, Conduct will advance Thunder Road funds to enable the company to develop and expand their current slate of films in development.
“We are delighted to recommence our deal with the Cutting Edge Group and Conduct team,” said Thunder Road Pictures Principal Basil Iwanyk. “Their initial investment into Thunder Road was essential in building a terrific slate of film projects, including Sicario and John Wick, the former being in competition this year at the Cannes Film Festival.”
Cutting Edge Group CEO Philip Moross commented, “Thunder Road Pictures is a premier production company and a great partner to be in business with. We look forward to working with Basil and his team for many years to come.”
Thunder Road Pictures’ upcoming slate includes 3 Seconds, a $30 million action thriller starring Luke Evans (The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, Fast and Furious 6), shooting this summer and financed by PalmStar Media and Merced Media.
Under the aegis of Cutting Edge Group, Conduct offers a new paradigm by financing the music budgets of films and TV programs in exchange for intellectual property rights to each project‘s original music. As an investment fund with more than 400 credits to date, Conduct currently has over $100 million assets under management. Last year, Conduct set up slate financing deals with QED and with Brian Oliver’s Cross Creek Pictures. The company has also invested in hundreds of single pictures including Whiplash, Fury, That Awkward Moment and the upcoming Self/Less and Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.
Conduct Managing Director James Gibb said, “We intend to close at least four more slate deals this year, and hopefully one or two here at the Cannes Film Festival.”