21 Laps Entertainment
 | This article needs to be updated. (November 2017) |
 | |
| Formerly | Wunjo, Inc. (1999–2005) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Film Television |
| Founded | January 29, 1999 (as Wunjo, Inc.) 2005 (as 21 Laps Entertainment)[1] |
| Founder | Shawn Levy |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Shawn Levy (CEO) Josh Barry (President of Television Division) Paige Simpson (Vice President of Television) |
| Products | Motion pictures, television programs |
21 Laps Entertainment is an American film and television production company founded and run by director-producer Shawn Levy.[2] The company is best known as the producers of Stranger Things, and exclusively distributes content through a partnership with Netflix.[3]
It is also known for producing films like Arrival, Free Guy, The Adam Project, Cheaper by the Dozen, The Spectacular Now, Real Steel, and the Night at the Museum franchise.
History
In 1999, Shawn Levy, who after his start on television incorporated and founded the company as Wunjo, Inc. It was in-name only from the beginning until 2005. Levy made his breakout role as a film director on Big Fat Liar, Just Married, and Cheaper by the Dozen.
In 2003, Levy, after the success of his aforementioned feature films, launched his own production company with a first-look deal at 20th Century Fox Television. The deal was to produce half-hour sitcoms and hour-long dramas.[4]
In 2005, Levy rebranded the studio to 21 Laps Entertainment and it signed a non-exclusive deal with 20th Century Fox to produce their films. The film division would be run by Tom McNulty, formerly employee from Happy Madison Productions, and it's television division by J.J. Klein. The first two products were Cheaper by the Dozen 2 and Pepper Dennis.[5]
In 2010, Levy and Marty Adelstein signed on to form a television company called 21 Laps/Adelstein Productions, and they signed a deal with 20th Century Fox Television and hired Becky Clements to serve as president.[6]
In 2014, both Levy and Adelstein parted ways, with the latter launching Tomorrow Studios as a joint venture with ITV Studios.[7]
One of the company's most recent television projects, Stranger Things, premiered on Netflix in July 2016 and achieved critical acclaim, earning a 95% on Rotten Tomatoes with 55 out of 58 reviews being positive.[8] The show's first season was also one of Netflix's most watched series, averaging 14.07 million adults 18–49 in its first 35 days.[9] Along with producing the series, Levy directed two of the premiere season's episodes.[10] The third season premiered on July 4, 2019[11] and the fourth season premiered in two parts on May 27, 2022 and July 1, 2022. Also, it has recently been renewed for an fifth and final season.[12] More recently, the company signed a first look deal with Netflix.[13]
Filmography
Films
Television
| Year | Title | Network |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Pepper Dennis | The WB |
| 2011–2017 2018–2021 |
Last Man Standing | ABC Fox |
| 2014–2015 | Cristela | ABC |
| 2016–present | Stranger Things | Netflix |
| 2017 | Imaginary Mary | ABC |
| 2020 | I Am Not Okay with This | Netflix |
| 2020–present | Unsolved Mysteries | |
| 2020 | Dash & Lily | |
| 2021–present | Shadow and Bone | |
| 2022 | Lost Ollie | |
| TBA | All the Light We Cannot See | |
| Real Steel | Disney+ |
References
- ^ "Fox Animation Acquires Film Rights to Sanrio's Mr. Men Little Miss Properties". Business Wire.
- ^ Breznican, Anthony. "Shawn Levy to produce 'Man Made' book about toughened-up dad". EW.com.
- ^ "'Stranger Things' Producer Inks Massive Overall Deal With Netflix". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2019-04-20.
- ^ Adalian, Josef (2003-11-14). "Twentieth TV takes up with 'Married' man". Variety. Retrieved 2020-07-01.
- ^ Fleming, Michael (2005-10-07). "Levy homes in on Fox". Variety. Retrieved 2020-07-01.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (2010-06-18). "Shawn Levy And Marty Adelstein Form TV Company, Sign With 20th Century Fox TV And Tap Becky Clements As Prez". Deadline. Retrieved 2020-07-01.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (2014-06-04). "Marty Adelstein Sets Joint Venture With ITV Studios US To Launch Tomorrow ITV Studios". Deadline. Retrieved 2020-07-01.
- ^ "Stranger Things - Season 1 Reviews". Rotten Tomatoes.
- ^ Holloway, Daniel. "'Stranger Things' Ratings: Where Series Ranks Among Netflix's Most Watched". Variety.com.
- ^ Guerrasio, Jason. "How the man behind Netflix hit 'Stranger Things' is taking over Hollywood". Business Insider.
- ^ Wigler, Josh (December 31, 2018). "Netflix Reveals 'Stranger Things' Season 3 Premiere Date". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
- ^ Goldberg, Lesley (September 30, 2019). "'Stranger Things' Renewed for Season 4 as Creators Ink Nine-Figure Netflix Deal". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
- ^ McNary, Dave (2020-11-19). "'Stranger Things' Producer Shawn Levy Signs First-Look Feature Deal With Netflix, Expands TV Pact". Variety. Retrieved 2020-11-20.
- ^ a b Barnes, Brooks (25 November 2016). "A Filmmaker's Belief in Himself Pays Off". New York Times. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
- ^ Squires, John (August 23, 2021). "'Creep' Director Patrick Brice's New Movie 'There's Someone Inside Your House' Crashes Netflix in October". BloodyDisgusting. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
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