Date: 12th February 2001

Britain's Two Biggest Studios Will Merge


In a deal reportedly engineered by show-business scion Michael Grade, Britain's Pinewood Studios is acquiring its major rival, Shepperton, for $51 million.

Shepperton is owned by Hannibal director Ridley Scott and his brother Tony. According to British reports, the Scott brothers are likely to remain with the merged studio in senior management positions. In recent months Grade has talked about creating a James Bond theme park at Pinewood, a plan that has been opposed by local officials. (All of the Bond films were produced at Pinewood.)

Source: Studio Briefing