Press Release

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL ENTERTAINMENT GROUP AND RIDEBACK ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP TO DEVELOP FEATURE LENGTH FILMS 

Cirque du Soleil Catalogue of World-Renowned IP to serve as Inspiration for Creative Content

Montreal, May 21, 2019 – Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group, the world’s largest creator and producer of live entertainment content, and Rideback, producer of premium film and television content for global audiences, are proud to announce a partnership to develop feature length movies inspired by the Cirque du Soleil creative catalogue. This partnership aims to both leverage Rideback’s successful track record of transforming premium IP to the movie screen and, via continued diversification of content offering, increase the opportunities for a global audience to enjoy the Cirque du Soleil universe.

“Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group is synonymous with high quality entertainment, regardless of the brand or product category. For us, the movie business is a logical progression for ongoing portfolio expansion, and Rideback is the perfect partner to embark on this journey,” said Daniel Lamarre, president and CEO of Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group. “Rideback is known for its ability to penetrate the movie industry with quality content. I look forward to the endless creative opportunities that will emerge by providing access to the immense Cirque du Soleil library of characters and storylines.”

This announcement comes at a time when Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group has solidified itself as the world’s largest creator and producer of live entertainment content. Recent strategic acquisitions of best-in-class companies, including Blue Man Group in 2017, VStar Entertainment Group in 2018 and The Works Entertainment Group in 2019, set the stage for future partnerships with the world’s most iconic brands. As a creative force in the entertainment industry, the company is continuously developing content for new audiences, evidenced by its recent reveal of R.U.N, a groundbreaking new show that is an unprecedented entertainment experience, using live action performance and exploring the world of stunts, that marks a pointed change in direction from previous productions.

“Cirque du Soleil has enchanted millions of people around the globe through soul-stirring artistry and journeys of the imagination that are Cirque du Soleil hallmarks. Their expansion into movies creates a one-of-a-kind, frontier opportunity to develop entirely new narrative features driven by the awe-inspiring worlds they have created,” said Dan Lin, founder and CEO of Rideback.

Lin continued, “We’re thrilled to partner with Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group, as we feel uniquely positioned to share in their mission. We built Rideback on an ethos of empowering storytellers, opening doors for a broader mix of voices, and helping creators feel free to take risks and explore new ideas. We think our unique development environment will help Cirque du Soleil unlock exciting new stories waiting to be told on the big screen.”

Rideback enters this partnership on the heels of completing production on Disney’s upcoming live-action “Aladdin,” directed by Guy Ritchie, starring Will Smith, and opening Memorial Day weekend. While Rideback continues to focus on tentpole movies based on globally recognized IP, founder Dan Lin also recently announced the Rideback TV Incubator, a writers-in-residence program formed in partnership with MRC that creatively and financially supports and mentors TV writers from diverse backgrounds to help them create new series for cable and streaming.

Working alongside Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group president and CEO, Daniel Lamarre, and Rideback founder and CEO, Dan Lin, on this project are Sebastien Ouimet, who manages all content and distribution partnerships for Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group, and Rideback President of Film, Jonathan Eirich.

About Rideback

Rideback, the production company formerly known as Lin Pictures, focuses on supporting and empowering visionary storytellers who share the company’s passion for entertaining audiences in delightfully surprising ways. Rideback produced the Warner Bros. franchise hits “The LEGO Movie,” “The Lego Batman Movie,” “It,” and sequels “The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part” and “It: Chapter Two.” Rideback films have combined for more than $3 Billion in worldwide box office.

Rideback also produced Disney’s upcoming live-action feature “Aladdin,” starring Will Smith, and Netflix’s upcoming awards contender, “The Pope,” directed by Fernando Meirelles. Rideback additionally produces the Fox network hit “Lethal Weapon,” based on the iconic movie franchise, and also develops other series for network, cable and streaming.

Rideback is located at Rideback Ranch, a creative campus in the Historic Filipinotown area of Los Angeles that houses Warner Animation Group; writer-directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller’s Lord Miller; writer-director David Ayer and Chris Long’s Cedar Park Entertainment; actress-producer Margot Robbie’s LuckyChap Entertainment; and premier animation studio Animal Logic. Founder Dan Lin has built Rideback on a simple idea: to be a community in support of creativity, a place where people and ideas pour into each other to elevate the potential of both. Visit www.rideback.com.

About Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group

Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group is a world leader in live entertainment. On top of producing world-renowned circus arts shows, the Canadian organization brings its creative approach to a large variety of entertainment forms such as multimedia productions, immersive experiences, theme parks and special events. It currently has 4,500 employees from nearly 70 countries. Going beyond its various creations, Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group aims to make a positive impact on people, communities and the planet with its most important tools: creativity and art. For more information about Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group, please visit CDSentertainmentgroup.com.

Media Contacts:

Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group
Johanna McCabe
Johanna.McCabe@cirquedusoleil.com
646-209-0403

Rideback
Chris Day
chris.day@rideback.com
310-993-5513