Virtual Studios LLC was an American film financier, distributor and production studio based in the United States.
History Establishment and early years Virtual Studios was founded by film producer Benjamin Waisbren in 2005 as a film financier and media company. The funding was backed by the hedge fund Stark Investments, where he worked at the time of founding.
Film industry The companies first film production and financing credits were the romantic comedy film Duane Hopwood and the dystopian political thriller film V for Vendetta in 2005. In 2006, they signed a deal to produce and finance films in association with Warner Bros. Their next films (Poseidon, V for Vendetta, The Good German and 300) were all distributed by Warner Bros. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford was their last film they co-produced for Warner Bros. and the deal was signed off. Their last film was Bangkok Dangerous and the company was left dormant after the film became a box-office flop.
Virtual Films Virtual Studios started a film distribution company called Virtual Films in early 2006. The company was short-lived and only lasted a year, and it was shut down in 2007. First Born was the only film that Virtual Films distributed.
Closure Virtual Studios ultimately closed in 2009 after being dormant for a year due to Waisbren leaving the company to pursue other ventures. He later worked for LStar Capital's film funding company LSC Film Corporation on their deal with Sony Pictures, and also currently owns and operates Virtually There Holdings LLC since 2014.
Films
Release date Film title Notes November 11, 2005 Duane Hopwood distributed by IFC Films; co-produced by Big Beach; first Virtual Studios film March 17, 2006 V For Vendetta distributed and produced by Warner Bros. Pictures; co-produced by Silver Pictures, Anarchos Productions Inc., Vertigo, Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg and Fünfte Babelsberg Film GmbH. May 12, 2006 Poseidon distributed and produced by Warner Bros. Pictures; co-produced by, Irwin Allen Productions, Next Entertainment, Radiance Productions and Synthesis Entertainment. December 8, 2006 Blood Diamond distributed and produced by Warner Bros. Pictures; co-produced by Bedford Falls Productions and Initial Entertainment Group December 15, 2006 The Good German distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures; co-produced by Section Eight Productions March 9, 2007 300 distributed and produced by Warner Bros. Pictures; co-produced by Legendary Pictures, Atmosphere Pictures and Hollywood Gang Productions March 20, 2007 First Born April 26, 2007 Gardener of Eden co-produced by Appian Way Productions April 27, 2007 Next distributed by Paramount Pictures; co-produced by Revolution Studios, Initial Entertainment Group and Saturn Films June 15, 2007 Nancy Drew distributed and produced by Warner Bros. Pictures; co-produced by Jerry Weintraub Productions September 21, 2007 The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford distributed and produced by Warner Bros. Pictures; co-produced by Scott Free Productions and Plan B Entertainment January 18, 2008 Cassandra's Dream distributed by StudioCanal Limited overseas while The Weinstein Company handled the US Distribution rights; co-produced by The Wild Bunch September 5, 2008 Bangkok Dangerous distributed by Lionsgate; co-produced by Saturn Films and Blue Star Entertainment; final Virtual Studios film
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