EuropaCorp has reported a huge jump in Q3 turnover thanks largely to international sales of Taken 3, which to date has grossed about $ 270M worldwide. Earnings across the French major were 62.4M euros ($ 71M), an 88% increase on the same quarter last year. International sales amounted to 33.8M euros ($ 38.5M), mostly related to revenues associated with contractual steps agreed with Taken 3’s U.S. distributor, Fox, as well as the first deliveries to the non-Fox offshore markets.
Also bolstering Europa’s figures was the Luc Besson-helmed Lucy, which went out via Universal in most markets and earned about $ 460M worldwide. Its December 2014 home video release in France contributed to sales jumping to 7.3M euros ($ 8.3M), a $ 4.9M increase over the comparable frame.
Factoring in the next quarter, The Transporter Legacy will begin overseas rollout ahead of Europa’s U.S. distribution entity, Relativity EuropaCorp Distribution, releasing domestically. As the studio loads its deck with English-language films, those soon to go into production include Barry Sonnenfeld’s Nine Lives with Kevin Spacey; Naomi Watts-starrer Shut In; and Warriors Gate, a Franco-Chinese co-production.
Nancy Tartaglione
