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- In the biggest news of the week, the Weinstein brothers are close to purchasing back the company they founded way back in 1979, the company that brought us “Clerks” and so many more of Kevin’s wonderful films. Kevin spent the later part of the week tweeting his support as well as some fun attempts to sweeten the offer to Disney. This from the Hollywood Reporter:
Weinsteins to take back Miramax
It looks as if the Weinsteins have managed to fashion a winning bid in the Miramax auction and will take back operating control of the company they founded in 1979 and sold to Disney for $80 million in 1993.
Running the process internally, the Burbank studio for months has been soliciting offers for the recently shut specialty-film unit and its 611-title library.
Miramax founders Harvey and Bob Weinstein had been building enough financial muscle to put together an offer of $600 million or thereabouts, seeking to top bids from such rival suitors as businessmen Alec and Tom Gores and a more controversial one from Hollywood wheeler-dealer David Bergstein.
Harvey and Bob Weinstein have been kibitzing with billionaire financier Ron Burkle throughout the auction process. In addition to Burkle’s Yucaipa group, the duo’s backers include hedge funds Fortress and Colbeck Capital. In effect, Burkle and friends would be the official buyers, but the Weinsteins effectively would run the operation.
No word yet on when an official announcement of the deal will be made, as Disney lawyers apparently were still going over the financial details provided by the Weinsteins on Thursday.
“No deal has been reached,” a Disney spokesperson said Thursday night.
WaxWord did a great job summarizing Kevin’s tweets of support as well:
Exclusive! Kevin Smith Sweetens Weinstein’s Offer for Miramax
News from Silent Bob, the man who lately made SouthWest Airlines tremble with his mere thumbs.
Filmmaker Kevin Smith writes WaxWord that he has desperately been trying to help Bob and Harvey Weinstein close the deal to buy Miramax. “I’ve sweetened the Weinstein’s offer to buy Miramax back,” he writes. “All day yesterday and just now this morning, I’ve been throwing Tweets and large artwork at the Mouse to up the ante, but they’ve not responded.”
Smith is a Weinstein diehard, who has been following the MIramax sale closely. The brothers bravely backed Smith in making such lasting cultural oddities …landmarks… movies as “Clerks,” “Mallrats,” and “Chasing Amy.” He has been Twittering (@thatkevinsmith) to his million-plus followers about the deal – offernig Mickey Mouse paintings, for example.
The deal is in the midst of pitched negotiations since the Weinsteins were granted an exclusive window through the weekend to try and close the deal.
Here is what Smith has offered in the past few hours, via Twitter:
Ease on down, Dis! 600mil & 2 huge paintings: http://twitpic.com/1gaz4s http://twitpic.com/1gb15k For Miramax. Deal? #YoPharaohLetMyPeopleGo about 2 hours ago via web
On top of Weinstein 600mil bid, AND my giant “Blue Mickey”, I’ll also throw in Helnwein’s “LA Confidential”: http://twitpic.com/1gb15k about 2 hours ago
Your silence in the matter telegraphs the tough negotiator you are, Disney. So lemme sweeten the pot with ANOTHER piece of giant Disney art! about 2 hours ago via Echofon DearDisney: Friday, I offered to sweeten Harvey/Bob’s 600mil Miramax bid w/ inclusion of this giant MM painting: http://twitpic.com/1gaz4s about 2 hours ago via Echofon
That & I promise to never tarnish your magical legacy w/ twat & cock jokes ever again. Please, Disney… #WaltWouldSellMiramaxToHarveyAndBob about 18 hours ago via Echofon
This amazing, eight foot Gottfried Helnwein piece will look dope in some lucky Disney exec’s office! So 600 mil… PLUS a Mickey painting! about 18 hours ago via Echofon
Dear Disney, I’d like to sweeten Harvey & Bob’s 600k offer for Miramax by throwing in this giant painting: http://bit.ly/9ackU4
The Weinsteins had last offered $600 million in cash, to those who are following this process. They need to come up with a bit more to beat out their rivals, Alec and Tom Gores, and David Bergstein.
Now they have the mighty Silent Bob on their side. He concludes: “Please inform the Disney cabal that I’m super-serious. They’d look awesome in any exec’s office.”
MovieMiguel.com
