Insane news just came down the wire- Miramax has just entered into a partnership with The Weinstein Company to produce sequels to a huge amount of their film catalog.

What can we expect? Confirmed so far are sequels to Bad Santa, Rounders and Shakespeare in Love. 

Other projects that are being bandied about are possible sequels or tv shows of Bridget Jones’s Diary, Copland, From Dusk Till Dawn, Swingers, Clerks, Shall We Dance, and The Amityville Horror. This partnership isn’t new, as the two companies are working together on a trio of sequels coming out next year (Scream 4, Spy Kids 4, and Scary Movie 5.)

How are your brains feeling after reading that?

“We are very close to these films and the new management of Miramax also feels that we are in the best position to create sequels that are at once worthy and compelling in their own right,” stated TWC’s Harvey and Bob Weinstein.  “We look forward to working with Mike and his team on getting these films into production as soon as possible, and extending our partnership in the years ahead.”

Yes, crank them out fast, as they’re a surefire way to make a few bucks and save your company!

Mike Lang, CEO of Miramax, stated: “We are thrilled and honored to work with Harvey and Bob Weinstein.  There is no better partner to build on these great films and turn them into franchises, while also creating exciting new TV properties.  This agreement will extend the Miramax library while also enabling us to create new content without committing near-term capital.”

Yes, the world needs more cheap Dusk Till Dawn sequels!

Interesting that this happens just months after the Brothers Weinstein failed to buy back Miramax from Disney. Is this the consolation prize?

Anyway, it will be interesting to see what comes of all this. Now excuse me while I pop in my Copland dvd and grumble.