2929 Entertainment is a company established with the aim of developing, producing, and financing films that are not part of Hollywood cinematography. The company was launched in 2003 by businessman Mark Cuban and Todd Wagner. Today, the company has a head office in New York, Los Angeles, and Dallas.
The company works to produce original films and series. According to the founders, the purpose of their company was to bring some countless stories that did not make Hollywood cut to the audience. We will discuss some of these projects later.
In addition, their goal is also to make all films and series available to spectators on various platforms simultaneously. Through their collaboration with Netflix, several films were released on DVD with their Premier Theater.
In 2006, Variety praised 2929 Entertainment Company for his work released the drama “Bubble” film simultaneously in the cinema and on a cable network. The film was directed by Steven Soderbergh and their main role was played by Debbie Doebereiner, Dustin James Ashley, and Misty Dawn Wilkins. At that time, releasing films in this way was very controversial because various project formats were launched following certain schedules.
Most popular projects
In the first few years, the company produced several films that were positively recognized by critics such as “Godsend”, “Criminal”, and “The Jacket”. Many famous actors involved in these projects such as Kiera Knightly, Robert De Niro, Adam Brabo, Daniel Craig, and others.
In 2005, 2929 Entertainment financed a historical drama film titled “Good Night, And Good Luck” written and directed by George Clooney. Besides Clooney, other actors in this film are Robert Downey Jr., David Strathairn, Jeff Daniels, and so on. Wagner decided to include Jeff Skoll and the production of his company participants in this project. The film is highly recognized by critics and is nominated for the six academy awards, including one for the best picture.
In the same year, the company was involved in another successful project – a documentary titled “Enron: The Smartst Guys in The Room”. This film, based on the 2003 book with the same title, is used to get the Academy Awards nomination for the best documentary features.
Furthermore, in 2006, 2929 Entertainment collaborated with Lionsgate Films about producing and financing films called “Akelah and the Bee”. The film, starring Laurence Fishburne, Angela Bassett, and Keke Palmer, produced $ 19 million in the country. It won many awards, some of which were the Black Reel Award, the Chicago Film Critics Association Award, Naacp, and others.
Another very successful film produced by this company is “We own the night”. The main role of this crime drama was played by Joaquin Phoenix, Mark Wahlberg, Eva Mendes, and Robert Duvall. This was premiered at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival where he got a nomination for Palme d’Or. It earned nearly $ 55 million in Canada and the United States and $ 22 million other from the DVD release.
Other successful films produced by 2929 Entertainment including “What Just Happed”, “The Road”, “Deadfall”, “Serena”, “2:22”, and their latest release “Please stand by” and “The China Hustle “.
Television
When it came to television, the company was also the owner of AXS TV, a channel launched on September 6, 2001. Actually, one of the founder partners was Mark Cuban, who founded 2929 Entertainment. AXS TV is mainly developed as a channel that runs entertainment programs, combat sports, and live music shows.
In addition, the company also runs Rysher Entertainment, a television syndication distributor which was originally founded in 1945 and was acquired by 2929 Entertainment in 2001. Between 1995 and 1998, 20 features films were produced by Rysher Entertainment, and today, they have a number of films and TV shows like “Sex and the City” and “Star Search”.
Who are the founders?
Mark Cuban
Now, let’s discuss two men who established this company. First, we will tell you about Mark Cuban. Besides having an important role in this company and becoming a founder of AXS TV, Cuba also has Dallas Mavericks the National Basketball Association. In addition, he is also one of the investors in the “Shark Tank” reality TV series.
Cuba graduated from the Kelley School of Business in 1981. When asked why he chose this business school, he said “(that) has the cheapest tuition fees from all business schools on the top 10”. When he came to the beginning, the first company he founded was Microsolutions which later got an $ 30 million revenue and which he then sold it to CompuServe.
He often invests in startups, some of which are Redswoosh and Brondell Inc. In 2011, he wrote a book called “How to Win in Business Sports” where he shared his experiences in sports and business and also told the story of how he became a successful businessman as he is today. If you want to learn more about his income, but also his family and personal life, visit taddlr.com.
Todd Wagner
Todd R. Wagner graduated from Indiana University in 1983 and began his career with the company Hopkins & Sutter and Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Field.
In 1995, together with Mark Cuban, Wagner founded a platform to air radio stations and online sports events called audionet. A few years later, they changed his name to broadcast.com and finally sold it to Yahoo! For $ 5.7 billion, which made both billionaires instant.
In addition, Wagner has shares in Dallas Mavericks, and he is also a founder and co-president of LLC content partners. He also participated in charity work. In 2014, he founded a platform to raise funds for various purposes by connecting fans with their favorite celebrities through video. In 2016 he founded a company called Charity Network with the main purpose of helping the charity body to switch from analog to digital. The company also arranged the regular charity fundraising event, and in 2017 it was included in the list of the most fast innovative companies in 2017.