Really big news today as we announce the launch of SKYBOUND GALACTIC! This is a huge deal that we’ve been working on for quite a while so I asked the man himself, Rick Jacobs—who’s heading up Galactic—to say a few words about it. Here’s Rick:
FAQ – What is Skybound Galactic? Why do you guys keep coming up with all of these names? Is Robert going to space?
Unfortunately, we aren’t sending Robert to space… yet. But what I can say is that, as much as we like to come up with names for things, Skybound Galactic is a really unique opportunity to transform the way we make Television. Quite simply, at Skybound we have a long-standing vision to own the projects we make and to share the benefits of that ownership with the talented individuals (creators, writers, artists) who we work with to make them. We do it in comics, and with all of our toys and t-shirts and other merchandise, and we are now doing it in games with the launch of Skybound Stories.
Skybound Galactic will be our first chance at owning, or co-owning, our shows. We are hoping we get a chance to make a lot of them, and hoping that by providing financing as well as great projects, we can help make the kind of shows that we all love. Wish us luck and please tune in!
There you have it, direct from the source. Expect a lot of news in the coming months, including some really interesting bits starting RIGHT NOW in our press release! Check it out:
SKYBOUND ENTERTAINMENT AND SONY PICTURES ANNOUNCE TELEVISION VENTURE SKYBOUND GALACTIC
October 10, 2018 (Los Angeles, CA) – Skybound Entertainment and Sony Pictures Television today announced Skybound Galactic, a new venture formed and led by Rick Jacobs (Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency, Mr. Right) that will finance the development and production of scripted television series. Sony Pictures Television is an investor in Galactic and will sell international rights for projects from the venture.
Skybound Galactic’s current development includes Thief of Thieves, based on the comic book series created by Robert Kirkman, with Evan Endicott and Josh Stoddard (Warrior) adapting and Assaf Bernstein (Fauda) directing. Galactic is also developing an adaptation of the Image Comic Nailbiter, created by Josh Williamson and Mike Henderson. Scott Kosar (Bates Motel) is adapting the series and Oz Perkins is directing. Overseeing both projects on behalf of Skybound are Film & Television Co-Presidents Sean and Bryan Furst, who will continue to expand the company’s slate while producing projects for Galactic.
Galactic has also landed a first-look deal with Top Cow, a partner studio of Image Comics. Top Cow titles already in development include The Darkness and Think Tank, with Top Cow partners Marc Silvestri and Matt Hawkins serving as executive producers for series developed under the deal.
Galactic will continue to pursue projects in the genre space and look to build co-productions with international partners.
“Combining the multi-platform capabilities of Skybound and Top Cow’s extensive library of IP with the best worldwide distribution in Sony is an unbelievable opportunity,” said CEO of Skybound Galactic Rick Jacobs. “I’m looking forward to continuing Skybound’s mission to help creators expand their content into new markets.”
Skybound Entertainment’s Chairman Robert Kirkman, CEO David Alpert, and Managing Partner Jon Goldman will be among the board members of Skybound Galactic, along with Rick Jacobs.
Keith Le Goy, President Worldwide Distribution at Sony Pictures Entertainment said, “The team at Skybound already has a stellar track record in creating successful genre properties, and like us, are committed to creating undeniable viewing experiences for audiences around the world. We look forward to many successful collaborations through our new venture.”
Evolution Media acted as investment advisors on behalf of Skybound Galactic. Skybound Galactic was also represented in the deal by Katz, Golden and Wolf, Rifkin.
About Skybound Entertainment:
Founded in 2010, Skybound Entertainment is a multiplatform entertainment company managed by partners Robert Kirkman, David Alpert and Jon Goldman. Skybound houses projects ranging from television, film, emerging platforms, comics, interactive gaming, live events, and more. In 2016, the company expanded to Vancouver with the opening of their Skybound North office, working to expand Skybound’s footprint into the animation and children’s space with top Canadian talent. In 2018, Skybound opened GammaRay, a video-content brand focused on pop culture, and expanded Skybound Games into a venture focused on publishing independently developed games.
Skybound Entertainment is responsible for television hits including The Walking Dead, Fear the Walking Dead, Outcast, Robert Kirkman’s Secret History of Comics, and currently holds a first-look television deal with Amazon Studios. Skybound Galactic will have an opportunity to develop Skybound’s scripted television projects following Amazon. On the film side, Skybound has a first-look deal with Universal. Robert Kirkman’s second-longest running comic series Invincible will be developed for film at Universal and as an animated series for Amazon. The interactive gaming slate includes partnerships with Starbreeze, Skydance, Scopely, and more. Skybound is currently publishing comic book titles The Walking Dead, Oblivion Song, Die!Die!Die!, Outcast, Redneck, Gasolina, Crude, and more.
About Sony Pictures Television:
Sony Pictures Television (SPT) is one of the television industry’s leading content providers, producing and distributing programming worldwide in every genre and for every platform. In addition to managing one of the industry’s largest libraries of award-winning feature films, television shows and formats, SPT is home to a thriving global production business operating 21 wholly-owned or joint venture production companies in 12 countries around the world. Sony Pictures Television is a Sony Pictures Entertainment Company.
About Top Cow Comics:
Top Cow Productions, Inc. (http://www.topcow.com/), a Los Angeles-based entertainment company, was founded in December of 1992 by artist Marc Silvestri, who also co-founded Image Comics earlier that same year. Top Cow currently publishes its line of comic books in 21 languages in over 55 different countries. The TNT TV series Witchblade, the Japanese anime Witchblade and the two The Darkness video games for XBOX 360 and PS3 are all based on Top Cow properties. The company has also successfully licensed and merchandised its franchises into toys, statues, clothing, lithographs, puppets, posters, magnets, shot glasses, lighters, lunch pails, wall scrolls, mouse pads, die-cast cars, calendars, Christmas ornaments, Halloween masks, trading cards, standees, video games, and roleplaying games.
Press Contact: Shauna Wynne, Skybound Entertainment; swynne@skybound.com; 310.746.1443
