Bron, a Canadian motion picture based in British Columbia filed for bankruptcy on July 19, 2023. The studio filed for creditor protection in Canada and Chapter 15 bankruptcy in the United States. The studio states that the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and the WGA & SAG-AFTRA strikes have led to its eventual downfall.
The Studio is owned by Bron Media Corporation. It was co-founded in 2010 by Aaron L. Gilbert and Brenda Gilbert. The companies have produced more than 125 productions and have received hundreds of honors including 38 Academy Award Nominations with 6 Wins.
BRON Media Corp.
The studio had co-financing deals with Warner Bros. and MGM that came to an end. Along with that, the recent strikes led to the production of several of their projects coming to a halt. In a company memo, Aaron L. Gilbert talks more about the studios’ plan going forward.
“Having explored many options for many months, Bron had no choice but to take this step in light of its financial circumstances,” wrote CEO Aaron L. Gilbert. “The last few years have been incredibly difficult for Bron, and things have only gotten more complicated over these past months. Covid and the many other issues affecting the media industry the last few years, most recently the strikes, have made Bron’s ability to continue its existing business impossible.”
Aaron L. Gilbert also stated that they will be working with its creditors and stakeholders and that court proceedings are expected to be completed by late fall, as per The Wrap.
Here’s a look at some of the best projects produced by the studios
- Joker (2019)
- A Journal for Jordan (2021)
- Greyhound (2020)
- Licorice Pizza (2021)
- Judas and the Black Messiah (2021)
“The decision to seek creditor protection was not taken lightly and was adopted with a view to the best interests of the company and its many stakeholders,” a company memo from CEO Aaron L. Gilbert read.
Gilbert added, “Your continued support and patience will remain critical during this restructuring process, and we will continue to keep you informed as we move through this process.”
Bron had several projects under development. ‘Teddy’, ‘Legally Blonde’, and ‘Robocop Returns’ are just a few names. The spin-off for Joker, which is Bron’s best work to date, ‘Joker: Folie á Deux was part of a co-financing deal with Warner Bros.