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Icon Productions

From Alfawiki
Icon Productions
Company typePublic
IndustryFilm
FoundedAugust 1989; 37 years ago (August 1989)
HeadquartersSydney, Australia
Santa Monica, California
Key people
Mel Gibson
Bruce Davey
ProductsMotion pictures
Websitewww.iconfilm.com.au

Icon Productions, initially known as Icon Entertainment International, is a production company established in August 1989 by actor and director Mel Gibson alongside producer Bruce Davey. The company is headquartered in Santa Monica, California and has expanded its presence with offices in Sydney, Australia, and the United Kingdom, evolving to include film distribution.

Between 2008 and 2009, the UK branch was divested to Access Industries, and later, in March 2018, Icon Film Distribution UK was sold to Kaleidoscope Film Distribution UK. , the parent entity Dendy Icon Group in Australia—still owned by Gibson and Davey—oversees Icon Productions, Icon Film Distribution, Dendy Cinemas, and Icon Film Finance. The Santa Monica division is directed by Vicki Christianson.

1990s–early 2000s

The inception of Icon arose from Gibson’s difficulties securing funding for his film Hamlet (1990). To finance this project, Gibson and Davey founded the company in August 1989.

The title "Icon" derives from the Greek term meaning "image," inspired by a Russian icon book found in Gibson’s study. The original logo featured Michael the Archangel (1993), but it currently displays a detail from the Theotokos of Vladimir icon. Distinct from many independent companies, Icon primarily funded its development and packaging expenses internally, predominantly through Gibson’s investment, allowing it to maintain creative authority over its projects.

In late 1996, New Zealand producer Timothy White spearheaded Fox-Icon, a collaborative production initiative between Fox and Gibson based at Fox Studios Australia in Sydney. However, this partnership was dissolved in December 1999 without releasing any films.

In August 1999, the UK branch secured a home video distribution agreement with Warner Home Video.

By the year 2000, Icon had established film distribution operations in both Sydney and the UK. Mark Gooder led Australian distribution before moving to Santa Monica in 2006 to supervise production, acquisition, and distribution activities. After the commercial triumph of The Passion of the Christ (2004), Icon was regarded as a potential mini-studio; nevertheless, Davey highlighted their commitment to independence and their intention to avoid becoming a major studio.

Icon’s catalog comprises over 250 film titles.

2008–2009 changes

In early 2008, Icon participated as co-financier and co-distributor of the thriller Push alongside Summit Entertainment, while also holding interests in The Black Balloon and the horror-comedy Infestation.

January 2008 saw Mark Gooder—formerly president of acquisitions and development responsible for overseeing Icon Productions and its distribution divisions—appointed as CEO, succeeding Davey. Gooder joined the board with COO and CFO Vicki Christianson. Although Davey resigned as CEO, he retained his role as chairman. Gooder managed international sales for Icon Productions and UK distribution from Los Angeles while continuing leadership of Icon Australia.

In February 2008, screenwriter Benedict Fitzgerald filed a lawsuit against Mel Gibson, Vicki Christianson, Icon Productions, among others, alleging fraud involving millions of dollars and improper crediting as co-writer of Passion of the Christ. This legal matter was resolved confidentially by May 2009.

Also during February 2008, Icon expanded into cinema exhibition by acquiring Dendy Cinemas, recognized as Australia's largest independent distributor of films and operator of art house theaters.

By September 2008, Gibson and Davey negotiated the divestiture of Icon’s international sales division and UK distribution operations along with the Majestic film library. These UK assets were sold to US-based industrial conglomerate Access Industries, led by founder Leonard Blavatnik, with former UK Film Council chairman Stewart Till appointed as CEO and equity partner. The newly formed entity retained the Icon brand name and secured a three-year first-look agreement with Icon Productions for international rights. The transaction was finalized in November 2009; however, it excluded Los Angeles-based Icon Productions LLC (retained by Gibson and Davey), distribution activities under Icon Australia, and Dendy Cinemas.

2010–present

In November 2011, Icon discontinued its UK distribution arm to concentrate on film financing and production, with Lionsgate UK taking over distribution duties and negotiating to purchase Icon's back catalogue. By the end of 2012, Icon Entertainment International regained ownership of most of the Producers Sales Organization library from Lionsgate. In 2013, Icon UK pursued funding from the film investment group Prescience and appointed Exclusive Media (which later became AMBI Group) to manage its library. Later that September, investment company New Sparta acquired Icon Film Distribution UK.

In August 2012, Mark Gooder departed from Icon after accepting the role of president of acquisitions and Australian operations at The Weinstein Company.

After experiencing several box office disappointments in 2016, New Sparta announced the sale of Icon Film Distribution UK in September 2017. The company and its extensive collection of approximately 300 films were purchased by Kaleidoscope Film Distribution in March 2018.

In 2017, Icon Productions LLC initiated legal action against the producer of The Professor and the Madman for alleged breach of contract; however, a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge dismissed the case in June 2018 due to lack of sufficient evidence.

US

The upcoming 2025 thriller Flight Risk, featuring Mark Wahlberg, represents a collaborative production between Icon and Davis Entertainment Company. The film is directed by Mel Gibson, who also co-produced it alongside Davey, John Davis, and John Fox.

As of , Icon Productions LLC has been registered in California since May 29, 1997, with Vicki Christianson serving as the registered agent at 808 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 400, Santa Monica, CA 90401.

Australia

The sale completed between 2008 and 2009 did not include Icon's Australian distribution branch or its cinema operations, which continued functioning under the name Icon Film Distribution as of February 2019.

By January 2025, the Australian sector—known as Dendy Icon Group—comprises Icon Productions, Icon Film Distribution, Dendy Cinemas, and Icon Film Finance. This group is dedicated to delivering quality feature films and alternative content tailored for audiences in Australia and New Zealand. Ownership remains with Gibson and Davey.

Produced

Distributed

Television

External links

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