Bad Robot
Template:Short description Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox company
Bad Robot is an American film and television production company founded, on May 27, 1999, and led by Katie McGrath and J. J. Abrams as Co-CEOs. Under its Bad Robot Productions division, the company is responsible for the television series Alias, Lost, Fringe, Person of Interest, Revolution, and Westworld alongside the feature-length films Cloverfield, Star Trek, Super 8, Star Trek Into Darkness, Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation, Star Wars Episodes VII and IX, 10 Cloverfield Lane, Star Trek Beyond, The Cloverfield Paradox, Mission: Impossible – Fallout, and Overlord.
History
Bad Robot was originally based at Touchstone Television, but was moved by J. J. Abrams to Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros. Television, after his contract with ABC expired in 2006. Bad Robot produced Lost in association with ABC Studios, formerly Touchstone Television. The two companies jointly produced Six Degrees and What About Brian. The deal was first recommended and presented in 1999 as part of a presentation deal, with J.J. Abrams being contracted to Disney.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2004, Thom Sherman joined Bad Robot Television as president of the studio.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The company had developed presentation pitches for ABC and The WB, none of them would eventually got to series.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Abrams is Chairman and Co-Chief executive officer of Bad Robot, and Katie McGrath serves as the Company's Co-Chief executive officer. In June 2017, Bad Robot announced that Brian Weinstein would become President and Chief Operating Officer, overseeing daily operations and spearhead the company's growth strategy in its existing businesses, while developing new areas of expansion across the entire Bad Robot platform and pursuing alternative financing options.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In May 2015, Ben Stephenson left the BBC where he had been head of drama to helm Bad Robot Television. Lindsey Weber leads Bad Robot's feature film division.
The production logo has appeared since 2001, featuring a red rectangular headed robot running through a meadow silhouetted until it appears suddenly in front of the camera, followed by voices provided by two of Abrams's children, Henry and Gracie Abrams, saying "Bad robot!"<ref name="ew">Template:Cite magazine</ref> Although some fans believe that the name comes from a line in the animated film The Iron Giant, Abrams told Entertainment Weekly that it simply came to him during a writers' meeting.<ref name=ew/>
In February 2013, it was announced that Bad Robot would be partnering with the Valve Corporation to produce possibly a Half-Life or Portal film in the distant future.<ref>Template:Cite AV media</ref> In August 2015, Valve released a new beta game mode to Team Fortress 2, PASS Time, which Bad Robot worked on.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On July 7, 2016, the PASS Time game mode became official.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In August 2013, Bad Robot released a trailer on YouTube entitled "Stranger", rumoured to be Abrams' next film or television project, perhaps even a Lost spin-off, but it was finally explained to be promoting S., Abrams and Doug Dorst's new novel, as a new trailer for S. was released in the following month.Template:Citation needed In February 2017, it was announced Julius Avery is attached to direct a Paramount coproduction, the World War II zombie film Overlord, from screenwriter Billy Ray.<ref name="overlord">Template:Cite web</ref>
Bad Robot Productions is currently based in Santa Monica, California,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> in a building which is incorrectly labeled on purpose as the home of the fictional "National Typewriter Company" because Abrams "likes typewriters — and misdirection."<ref name="Bruni">Template:Cite news</ref>
In June 2018, the company announced a spin-off venture formed with the Chinese video game publisher Tencent to launch Bad Robot Games for the development of video games on mobile, computer and consoles, with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment as a minority investor. Bad Robot Games will develop and publish new and existing IPs including titles related to Abrams' works and other Bad Robot Production content, with Tencent holding the rights for distribution in China.
The division was originally helmed by Dave Baronoff, who previously worked on the Cloverfield franchise and was developing Spyjinx as a joint project between Bad Robot Productions and Epic Games (also partially owned by Tencent), while Tim Keenan, who helped develop Duskers, served as the creative director.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In 2020, Anna Sweet was brought on as the CEO of Bad Robot Games.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Mike Booth also joined in December 2020, managing the company's newly created in-house development studio.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> By February 2022, he had taken on the role of chief creative officer.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In 2006, Bad Robot teamed up with Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros. Television for a $60 million development deal<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> that lasted through 2018.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In late 2018, it was announced that Bad Robot was leaving Paramount and seeking a new overall deal.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In January 2019, it was announced that Universal, Disney, and Warner Bros. were the top three studios battling it out for what could be a record breaking overall deal including theme parks, music labels, TV, merchandising, and streaming services as Bad Robot plans on ramping up production significantly in the coming years.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref> It was also announced that Bad Robot would be co-producing a remake of the British series The Wrong Mans for American network Showtime along with BBC Studios, but Showtime later cancelled the project.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Bad Robot launched a subsidiary record label called Loud Robot in late 2018,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> in partnership with Capitol Music Group.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> Loud Robot is headed by co-general managers McKee Floyd and Nicky Berger along with Charles Scott, who currently heads Bad Robot's music division and has been the leading music supervisor for the company's films. Artists signed to the label include Cleveland-born rapper Nnena,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> neo soul singer/songwriter UMI,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Nashville, Tennessee-based alternative rock artist Chaz Cardigan,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and London-based rhythm and blues artist DWY.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
On September 12, 2019, Bad Robot officially announced a new five-year overall deal with WarnerMedia. According to The Hollywood Reporter, WarnerMedia agreed to pay Bad Robot at least $250 million (plus various financial incentives) to produce feature films, television shows, video games, and digital content.<ref name="Goldberg">Template:Cite news</ref>
On May 25, 2021, Abrams announced that a Portal film adaptation, which has been in development since 2013, was still in production and a script has been written for the film.<ref name="Jorgensen">Template:Cite web</ref> In November 2021, the company launched its podcast division with a multi-year first-look deal at Spotify.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
On April 25, 2022, it was announced that Bad Robot will team up with Mattel Films and Warner Bros. Pictures to produce a live-action Hot Wheels film based on the toy line of the same name.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Most recently, in December 2024, the company had extended its deal with Warner Bros. Pictures.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Filmography
Films
| Year | Title | Director | Co-production with | Budget | Gross |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Joy Ride | John Dahl | 20th Century Fox | $23 million | $36.6 million |
| 2008 | Cloverfield | Matt Reeves | Paramount Pictures | $25 million | $170.8 million |
| 2009 | Star Trek | J. J. Abrams | Paramount Pictures Spyglass Entertainment |
$150 million | $385.7 million |
| 2010 | Morning Glory | Roger Michell | Paramount Pictures | $40 million | $60 million |
| 2011 | Super 8 | J. J. Abrams | Paramount Pictures Amblin Entertainment |
$50 million | $260.1 million |
| Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol | Brad Bird | Paramount Pictures TC Productions Skydance Productions |
$145 million | $694.7 million | |
| 2013 | Star Trek Into Darkness | J. J. Abrams | Paramount Pictures Skydance Productions K/O Paper Products |
$190 million | $467.4 million |
| 2014 | Infinitely Polar Bear | Maya Forbes | Sony Pictures Classics | $6.7 million | $2.1 million |
| 2015 | Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation | Christopher McQuarrie | Paramount Pictures Skydance Productions China Movie Channel Alibaba Pictures |
$150 million | $682.7 million |
| Star Wars: The Force Awakens | J. J. Abrams | Lucasfilm Ltd. Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures |
$447 million | $2.068 billion | |
| 2016 | 10 Cloverfield Lane | Dan Trachtenberg | Paramount Pictures | $15 million | $110.2 million |
| Star Trek Beyond | Justin Lin | Paramount Pictures Skydance Media Alibaba Pictures Huahua Media Sneaky Shark Productions Perfect Storm Entertainment |
$185 million | $343.5 million | |
| 2018 | The Cloverfield Paradox | Julius Onah | Netflix Paramount Pictures |
$45 million | N/A |
| Mission: Impossible – Fallout | Christopher McQuarrie | Paramount Pictures TC Productions Skydance Media Alibaba Pictures |
$178 million | $791 million | |
| Overlord | Julius Avery | Paramount Pictures | $38 million | $41.7 million | |
| 2019 | Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker | J. J. Abrams | Lucasfilm Ltd. Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures |
$416 million | $1.074 billion |
| 2022 | Lou | Anna Foerster | Netflix | $36 million | N/A |
| 2024 | The Blue Angels | Paul Crowder | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Zipper Bros. Films Sutter Road Picture Company Diamond Docs Barnstorm Productions IMAX Entertainment Dolphin Films |
N/A | $2.6 million |
| Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes | Nanette Burstein | HBO Documentary Films Zipper Bros Gerber Pictures Sutter Road Picture Company House of Taylor |
N/A |
Upcoming films
TV series
| Year | Title | Creator(s) / Developer(s) | Co-production with | Notes | Network |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001–06 | Alias | J. J. Abrams | Touchstone Television | ABC | |
| 2004–10 | Lost | Jeffrey Lieber J. J. Abrams Damon Lindelof |
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| 2006–07 | What About Brian | Dana Stevens | Sachs/Judah Productions Template:Small Touchstone Television |
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| Six Degrees | Raven Metzner Stuart Zicherman |
Nosebleed Productions Touchstone Television |
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| 2008–13 | Fringe | J. J. Abrams Alex Kurtzman Roberto Orci |
Warner Bros. Television | Fox | |
| 2009 | Anatomy of Hope | Pilot | Template:N/A | ||
| 2010 | Undercovers | J. J. Abrams Josh Reims |
Warner Bros. Television Good Butter Productions |
NBC | |
| 2011–16 | Person of Interest | Jonathan Nolan | Kilter Films Warner Bros. Television |
CBS | |
| 2012 | Alcatraz | Elizabeth Sarnoff Steven Lilien Bryan Wynbrandt |
Warner Bros. Television | Fox | |
| Shelter | Pilot<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | The CW | |||
| 2012–14 | Revolution | Eric Kripke Jon Favreau |
Kripke Enterprises Warner Bros. Television |
NBC | |
| 2013–14 | Almost Human | J. H. Wyman | Frequency Films Warner Bros. Television |
Fox | |
| 2014 | Believe | Alfonso Cuarón Mark Friedman |
Esperanto Filmoj Warner Bros. Television |
NBC | |
| 2015 | Dead People | Pilot<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | The CW | ||
| 2016 | 11.22.63 | Bridget Carpenter | Carpenter B. Warner Bros. Television |
Hulu | |
| Moon Shot | Web series | Template:N/A | |||
| Roadies | Cameron Crowe | Vinyl Films Warner Bros. Television Showtime Networks |
Showtime | ||
| 2016–22 | Westworld | Jonathan Nolan Lisa Joy |
HBO Entertainment Kilter Films Jerry Weintraub Productions Template:Small Warner Bros. Television |
HBO | |
| 2018–19 | Castle Rock | Sam Shaw | Old Curiosity Shop Darkbloom Productions Warner Bros. Television |
Hulu | |
| 2020 | Little Voice | Jessie Nelson | Dear Hope Productions Warner Bros. Television Studios |
Apple TV+ | |
| Lovecraft Country | Misha Green | Afemme Monkeypaw Productions Warner Bros. Television Studios |
HBO | ||
| Challenger: The Final Flight | Glen Zipper Steven Leckart |
Zipper Bros Films Sutter Road Picture Company |
Docuseries | Netflix | |
| 2021 | Lisey's Story | Stephen King | 40/60 Productions Warner Bros. Television Studios |
Apple TV+ | |
| UFO | Glen Zipper | Zipper Bros Films Sutter Road Picture Company |
Docuseries | Showtime | |
| 2024–present | Presumed Innocent | David E. Kelley | David E. Kelley Productions Old Curiosity Shop Productions Nine Stories Productions Warner Bros. Television Studios |
Apple TV+ | |
| 2024 | Charlie Hustle & the Matter of Pete Rose | Mark Monroe | Live Star Entertainment HBO Entertainment |
Docuseries | HBO |
| 2024–present | Batman: Caped Crusader | Bruce Timm | 6th & Idaho Motion Picture Company DC Entertainment Warner Bros. Animation Amazon MGM Studios |
<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | Amazon Prime Video<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2025 | Duster | J. J. Abrams LaToya Morgan |
TinkerToy Productions Warner Bros. Television Studios |
<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | Max |
Upcoming series
| Year | Title | Creator(s) / Developer(s) | Co-production with | Notes | Network |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TBA | Speed Racer | Warner Bros. Television Studios | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | Apple TV | |
| Untamed | Hulu | Trip the Light Productions Warner Bros. Television Studios/20th Television |
<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | TBA |
Shorts
| Year | Title | Co-production with |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | KRE-O Star Trek | Paramount Pictures Skydance Productions CBS Consumer Products Hasbro |
| 2022 | The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse | Apple Studios BBC NoneMore Productions |
Video games
| Year | Title | Platform |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Action Movie FX | iOS |
| 2022 | Weird West | PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC |
| 2022 | Moonbreaker | PC |
| 2023 | Silent Hill: Ascension | Web browser, Android, iOS |
Awards and recognition
- Nominations
- 2002 Emmy Award Nomination, Outstanding Writing for A Drama Series (Alias)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- 2005 Emmy Award Nomination, Outstanding Writing for A Drama Series (Lost)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- 2007 Golden Globe Award Nomination, Best Television Series – Drama (Lost)<ref name="gg">Template:Cite web</ref>
- Wins
- 2005 Emmy Award Winner, Outstanding Drama Series (Lost)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- 2005 Emmy Award Winner, Outstanding Directing for A Drama Series (Lost)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- 2006 Golden Globe Award Winner, Best Television Series – Drama (Lost)<ref name="gg" />
References
External links
- Template:Official website
- Template:Twitter
- iOS App Action Movie FX. On iTunes https://apps.apple.com/us/app/action-movie-fx/id489321253
- Template:Cite press release
- Template:Cite news
Template:J. J. Abrams Template:Film Studio Template:Authority control
- Pages with broken file links
- Bad Robot Productions
- Film production companies of the United States
- Television production companies of the United States
- Companies based in Santa Monica, California
- Mass media companies established in 1999
- Entertainment companies based in California
- 1999 establishments in California