Amazon to make movies for cinema release
Amazon announced on Monday (January 19) plans to produce movies for the big screen and offer them on its Prime video service within two months of their theatrical release.
Plans are already in the works to produce a sequel to "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon".
Amazon Original Movies will be led by independent producer Ted Hope who co-founded and ran the production company Good Machine, which produced "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" and Academy Award-nominated "Eat Drink Man Woman."
The online shopping behemoth's foray into movies comes on the heels of Amazon.com/video winning two Golden Globe awards for its series "Transparent" which was available through its website.
The company has recently pitched Prime as primarily a video service as it looks at the $99-a-year club, known for two-day shipping, a key for growth.
Movies made or bought by Amazon will premiere on Prime in four-eight weeks, instead of a typical 39-52 weeks, Amazon said on Monday.
The company last week said it has roped in renowned filmmaker Woody Allen to write and direct an online series for the small screen.
Recently Amazon Studios also said four original series would debut in 2015, including one from Steven Soderbergh of "Ocean's Eleven" fame.
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