'Terminator' rights for sale (FT)
By Nancy Tartaglione
The rights to the "Terminator" film franchise will be auctioned this month. The price tag is likely to exceed the $60 million acquisition of the "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" by Viacom's Nickelodeon, The Financial Times reports. The auction has sparked considerable interest but will also test Hollywood intellectual property valuations at a time when the industry is feeling a severe squeeze over falling DVD sales.
Several financial buyers have expressed interest in "Terminator," says the FT, including all the majors. Sony is said to be a leading contender.
Summit is also tracking the sale as is Media Rights Capital, a source told the paper.
The rights are being sold by Halcyon, the production company behind "Terminator Salvation," and would give the buyer the ability to make new films, TV shows, etc. However the auction does not cover earlier "Terminator" films.
FTI Capital Advisors is handling the sale.
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