Paramount to partner with Sony Pictures International on theatrical ...

Screen has learned that Paramount Pictures has struck a theatrical distribution and marketing partnership with Sony Pictures International in Germany.

The move comes as Paramount is letting go of its theatrical distribution and marketing team in the territory as parent Paramount Global cuts costs, amid wider belt-tightening across Hollywood.

The Paramount territory office will remain operational and houses the home entertainment and global content distribution teams. The size of the theatrical distribution and marketing team impacted was unclear at time of writing.

Screen understands Paramount’s Germany team will release Smile 2 in the territory this weekend, before the new arrangement with Sony Pictures International starts with the upcoming release of Gladiator II.

As of October 6, total German box office through all distributors for the year to date was down 16% year-on-year.

Paramount/Hasbro’s Transformers One has earned approximately $520,000 in Germany since opening last week, while IF grossed $5.1m in early summer to ensure Germany ranked as the family film’s third-highest European territory. A Quiet Place: Day One took $2.7m later in the summer.