Evolution Entertainment

Last updated
Evolution Entertainment
Industry Entertainment
Founded1998
Founder Mark Burg
Oren Koules
Gregg Hoffman
Key people
Oren Koules (President 1999–2011)
Michael Menchel (President 2011–present)
ProductsMotion pictures, television programs, entertainment management
Subsidiaries Twisted Pictures

Evolution Entertainment is an American independent entertainment management and film production company. The company was founded in 1998 by Mark Burg and Oren Koules [1] and is best known for executive producing the Saw film series.

Contents

History

Gregg Hoffman joined the company in 2003 as Head of Production. [2] The box office success of the horror film Saw led to a distribution deal with Lionsgate and the formation of Twisted Pictures. [1] Hoffman unexpectedly died on December 4, 2005. [3]

In August 2005, the lead actor in Saw, Cary Elwes, filed a lawsuit against Evolution Entertainment, who were his managers at the time, stating he was promised a minimum of one percent of the producers' net profits of the film and did not receive the full amount. [4] The case eventually was settled out of court and in 2010, Elwes reprised his role in Saw 3D .

In June 2011, after twelve years, Koules departed from the company; Burg purchased his 50% of the company. [5] Burg chose CAA agent-turned-producer Michael Menchel as the new president.

The company's clients include Charlie Sheen and at one time Shawnee Smith and Danny Glover. [5] [6] [7]

Filmography

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Oren Koules is an American entrepreneur and film producer. He is the co-founder of Evolution Entertainment and produced the Saw film series as well as the CBS television series Two and a Half Men. Koules is also the former owner of the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Helena Bighorns.

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References

  1. 1 2 "Owner Bios" (PDF). NHL.com. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 5, 2012. Retrieved September 28, 2011.
  2. "Saw II Production Notes". Lionsgate. Archived from the original (1.40MB .DOC file) on September 29, 2011. Retrieved August 22, 2011.
  3. Newman, Kim (December 15, 2005). "Obituary: Gregg Hoffman". The Guardian . Guardian Media Group. Archived from the original on November 10, 2011. Retrieved August 25, 2011.
  4. Mitchell, Peter (20 August 2005). "Not everyone happy with their cut from Saw". The Age . AAP. Archived from the original on 7 November 2012. Retrieved 26 September 2011.
  5. 1 2 Fleming, Mike (June 23, 2011). "Evolution's Mark Burg Cashes Out Oren Koules, Names Mike Menchel President". Deadline Hollywood . Mail.com Media . Retrieved September 21, 2011.
  6. McAuley, Jordan (December 1, 2005). The Celebrity Black Book 2006: Over 55,000 Accurate Celebrity Addresses. Mega Niche Media. p. 643. ISBN   0-9707095-7-9.
  7. Condit, Jon (December 2, 2004). "Glover, Danny & Smith, Shawnee (Saw)". DreadCentral. CraveOnline. Archived from the original on October 21, 2012. Retrieved August 19, 2011.