Larry Kasanoff
Encyclopedia
Lawrence Kasanoff is chairman and CEO of USA-based Threshold Entertainment
, Threshold Digital Research Labs (TDRL) and Threshold TV.
Previously as President and Co-Founder of Lightstorm Entertainment, Kasanoff assembled a consortium of worldwide film and ancillary rights distributors who agreed to provide $500 million in financing for the company's films. This structure gave the company complete creative control and 100% ownership of its films. Also in that capacity, Kasanoff supervised production, marketing, publicity and merchandising for the four-time Academy Award winning film Terminator 2: Judgment Day
. This property has generated over a billion dollars in revenues, several hundred million of which came from non-film rights.
He executive-produced the 1994 box-office smash True Lies
. Prior to the formation of Lightstorm in 1990, Mr. Kasanoff served as head of production and acquisitions for Vestron, Inc, distributors of the 1987 film Dirty Dancing
. Meanwhile, 1995 saw the first triumph of a video-game-turned-movie with Mortal Kombat
, which enjoyed a $70.1 million domestic gross.
He executive-produced over 25 films and created 'prebuy' financing and acquisition deals for over 200 additional films, including the 1986 epic Platoon
. Kasanoff also co-founded Vestron's original and music video programming divisions. In the music world, Kasanoff has packaged or produced video projects with several of the world's biggest talent, including Michael Jackson
, The Rolling Stones
and Dick Clark. He founded Lightstorm Records and Music Publishing (a partnership with Sony Music). For T2, he produced MTV
's 1991 top video 'You Could Be Mine' with Guns 'N Roses.
Despite his many successes in the film industry, Kasanoff and Threshold have suffered several setbacks along the way as well, many of which reared after the failure of the 1997 MK sequel Mortal Kombat: Annihilation
. Shortly after the September 11, 2001 attacks, an article in the Los Angeles Times
stated that Kasanoff was to produce an inspirational live-action war film titled Heroes, but it was eventually scrapped. Earlier that year, due to the success of Lara Croft: Tomb Raider
, there were plans to turn the best-selling video game Duke Nukem
into a major sci-fi action comedy blockbuster
, but that project never made it to production. Plans for a $60 million film adaptation of Ninja Scroll
, which was announced in Daily Variety in 2002, also fell through.
In addition to the first two MK movies, Threshold produced the TV series Mortal Kombat: Conquest
, the animated series Mortal Kombat: Defenders Of The Realm
, and Mortal Kombat: The Live Tour
. Neither lasted more than a year. Kasanoff is currently working on Mortal Kombat: Devastation, the final movie of the MK trilogy, which has been mired in preproduction for several years and will not make it to the big screen anytime soon.
He is the producer and director of Foodfight!
, an unreleased full-length digital animated feature film.
He holds an MBA from the Wharton School of Business, and a BA from Cornell University
.
Threshold Entertainment
Threshold Entertainment is a Hollywood intellectual property management and production company.The company develops, manages, produces, and publishes intellectual properties in all media including feature films, television shows, live stage tours, animation, video games and websites...
, Threshold Digital Research Labs (TDRL) and Threshold TV.
Biography
Kasanoff founded Threshold Entertainment in 1994, TDRL in 1997 and Threshold TV in 1999. He is the producer of all Mortal Kombat non-video game media, beginning with the 1995 movie.Previously as President and Co-Founder of Lightstorm Entertainment, Kasanoff assembled a consortium of worldwide film and ancillary rights distributors who agreed to provide $500 million in financing for the company's films. This structure gave the company complete creative control and 100% ownership of its films. Also in that capacity, Kasanoff supervised production, marketing, publicity and merchandising for the four-time Academy Award winning film Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Terminator 2: Judgment Day is a 1991 science fiction action film directed by James Cameron and written by Cameron and William Wisher Jr.. It stars Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Robert Patrick, and Edward Furlong...
. This property has generated over a billion dollars in revenues, several hundred million of which came from non-film rights.
He executive-produced the 1994 box-office smash True Lies
True Lies
True Lies is a 1994 American action-comedy film directed by James Cameron and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jamie Lee Curtis, Tom Arnold, Bill Paxton, Tia Carrere, Charlton Heston, and Art Malik. Eliza Dushku also appears in the film in one of her first major film roles...
. Prior to the formation of Lightstorm in 1990, Mr. Kasanoff served as head of production and acquisitions for Vestron, Inc, distributors of the 1987 film Dirty Dancing
Dirty Dancing
Dirty Dancing is a 1987 American romantic film. Written by Eleanor Bergstein and directed by Emile Ardolino, the film features Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey in the lead roles, as well as Cynthia Rhodes and Jerry Orbach...
. Meanwhile, 1995 saw the first triumph of a video-game-turned-movie with Mortal Kombat
Mortal Kombat (film)
Mortal Kombat is a 1995 American action and adventure film directed by Paul Anderson. Based on the Mortal Kombat series of fighting games, the film was the first part of the Mortal Kombat film series...
, which enjoyed a $70.1 million domestic gross.
He executive-produced over 25 films and created 'prebuy' financing and acquisition deals for over 200 additional films, including the 1986 epic Platoon
Platoon (film)
Platoon is a 1986 American war film written and directed by Oliver Stone and stars Tom Berenger, Willem Dafoe and Charlie Sheen. It is the first of Stone's Vietnam War trilogy, followed by 1989's Born on the Fourth of July and 1993's Heaven & Earth....
. Kasanoff also co-founded Vestron's original and music video programming divisions. In the music world, Kasanoff has packaged or produced video projects with several of the world's biggest talent, including Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
, The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
and Dick Clark. He founded Lightstorm Records and Music Publishing (a partnership with Sony Music). For T2, he produced MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
's 1991 top video 'You Could Be Mine' with Guns 'N Roses.
Despite his many successes in the film industry, Kasanoff and Threshold have suffered several setbacks along the way as well, many of which reared after the failure of the 1997 MK sequel Mortal Kombat: Annihilation
Mortal Kombat: Annihilation
Mortal Kombat: Annihilation is a 1997 American martial arts action film that was the sequel to 1995's Mortal Kombat, and was directed by John R. Leonetti, who had served as the cinematographer for the previous film...
. Shortly after the September 11, 2001 attacks, an article in the Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
The Los Angeles Times is a daily newspaper published in Los Angeles, California, since 1881. It was the second-largest metropolitan newspaper in circulation in the United States in 2008 and the fourth most widely distributed newspaper in the country....
stated that Kasanoff was to produce an inspirational live-action war film titled Heroes, but it was eventually scrapped. Earlier that year, due to the success of Lara Croft: Tomb Raider
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider is a 2001 adventure thriller film adapted from the Tomb Raider video game series. Directed by Simon West and starring Angelina Jolie as Lara Croft, it was released in U.S. theaters on June 15, 2001. The film was a commercial success...
, there were plans to turn the best-selling video game Duke Nukem
Duke Nukem
Duke Nukem is a video game series focusing on its protagonist, Duke Nukem. Originally created by Apogee Software Ltd./3D Realms as a series of video games for the PC, the franchise expanded to games released for various consoles by third party developers...
into a major sci-fi action comedy blockbuster
Blockbuster (entertainment)
Blockbuster, as applied to film or theatre, denotes a very popular or successful production. The entertainment industry use was originally theatrical slang referring to a particularly successful play but is now used primarily by the film industry...
, but that project never made it to production. Plans for a $60 million film adaptation of Ninja Scroll
Ninja Scroll
is a 1993 Japanese animated action thriller film set in feudal Japan, written and directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri who was best known for his previous thriller Wicked City . The character designs were done by Yutaka Minowa. The movie is in homage to the Ninpōchō series, ninja novels by Futaro Yamada...
, which was announced in Daily Variety in 2002, also fell through.
In addition to the first two MK movies, Threshold produced the TV series Mortal Kombat: Conquest
Mortal Kombat: Conquest
Mortal Kombat: Konquest is an American martial arts television series that aired for one season from 1998 to 1999, and was based on the popular Mortal Kombat fighting game series. The program was filmed at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Orlando, Florida.-Storyline:"In each of us there burns a soul...
, the animated series Mortal Kombat: Defenders Of The Realm
Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm
Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm, also known as Mortal Kombat: The Animated Series, is a cartoon series based on the popular Mortal Kombat video game series...
, and Mortal Kombat: The Live Tour
Mortal Kombat: Live Tour
Mortal Kombat: Live Tour was a martial art theatrical stage show featuring Mortal Kombat characters, sound, and laser light effects on stage...
. Neither lasted more than a year. Kasanoff is currently working on Mortal Kombat: Devastation, the final movie of the MK trilogy, which has been mired in preproduction for several years and will not make it to the big screen anytime soon.
He is the producer and director of Foodfight!
Foodfight!
Foodfight! is an unreleased computer-animated film produced by Threshold Entertainment and directed by Larry Kasanoff. The film features the voices of Charlie Sheen, Hilary Duff, Wayne Brady and Eva Longoria. Threshold has released a trailer for the film as part of their work on their website....
, an unreleased full-length digital animated feature film.
He holds an MBA from the Wharton School of Business, and a BA from Cornell University
Cornell University
Cornell University is an Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York, United States. It is a private land-grant university, receiving annual funding from the State of New York for certain educational missions...
.
Filmography
- Mortal Kombat: Devastation (announced) (producer)
- Foodfight!Foodfight!Foodfight! is an unreleased computer-animated film produced by Threshold Entertainment and directed by Larry Kasanoff. The film features the voices of Charlie Sheen, Hilary Duff, Wayne Brady and Eva Longoria. Threshold has released a trailer for the film as part of their work on their website....
(unreleased) (completed) (producer) - BeowulfBeowulf (1999 film)Beowulf is a 1999 film loosely based on the Old English epic poem Beowulf. Unlike most film adaptations of the poem, this version is a science-fiction/fantasy film that, according to one film critic, "takes place in a post-apocalyptic, techno-feudal future that owes more to Mad Max than Beowulf."...
(1999) (producer) - Mortal Kombat: ConquestMortal Kombat: ConquestMortal Kombat: Konquest is an American martial arts television series that aired for one season from 1998 to 1999, and was based on the popular Mortal Kombat fighting game series. The program was filmed at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Orlando, Florida.-Storyline:"In each of us there burns a soul...
(1998) TV series (executive producer) - Mortal Kombat: AnnihilationMortal Kombat: AnnihilationMortal Kombat: Annihilation is a 1997 American martial arts action film that was the sequel to 1995's Mortal Kombat, and was directed by John R. Leonetti, who had served as the cinematographer for the previous film...
(1997) (producer) - Strange DaysStrange Days (film)Strange Days is a 1995 cyberpunk science fiction film directed by Kathryn Bigelow and produced and co-written by James Cameron and Jay Cocks, starring Ralph Fiennes, Angela Bassett, Juliette Lewis, Tom Sizemore, Michael Wincott and Vincent D'Onofrio. Despite positive reviews, the film was a...
(1995) (executive producer) - Mortal KombatMortal Kombat (film)Mortal Kombat is a 1995 American action and adventure film directed by Paul Anderson. Based on the Mortal Kombat series of fighting games, the film was the first part of the Mortal Kombat film series...
(1995) (producer) - Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the RealmMortal Kombat: Defenders of the RealmMortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm, also known as Mortal Kombat: The Animated Series, is a cartoon series based on the popular Mortal Kombat video game series...
(1996) TV series (executive producer) - Mortal Kombat: The Journey Begins (1995) video (producer)
- True LiesTrue LiesTrue Lies is a 1994 American action-comedy film directed by James Cameron and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jamie Lee Curtis, Tom Arnold, Bill Paxton, Tia Carrere, Charlton Heston, and Art Malik. Eliza Dushku also appears in the film in one of her first major film roles...
(1994) (executive producer) - Ghoulies III: Ghoulies Go to CollegeGhouliesThe Ghoulies films are an American horror-comedy series released throughout the 1980s and 1990s and centered on a group of demons usually summoned by Satanic worshippers.-Ghoulies:...
(1991) (executive producer) - The Making of Terminator 2: Judgment DayTerminator 2: Judgment DayTerminator 2: Judgment Day is a 1991 science fiction action film directed by James Cameron and written by Cameron and William Wisher Jr.. It stars Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Robert Patrick, and Edward Furlong...
(1991) (TV) (executive producer) - A Gnome Named Gnorm (1990) (executive producer)
- Class of 1999 (1990) (executive producer)
- Blue SteelBlue Steel (1990 film)Blue Steel is a 1990 action thriller film, directed by Kathryn Bigelow, and starring Jamie Lee Curtis, Ron Silver and Clancy Brown.-Plot:Megan Turner is a rookie New York City policewoman who shoots and kills a suspect with her police-issue .38 Special Smith & Wesson Model 10 revolver while he's...
(1990) (executive producer) - Far from Home (1989) (executive producer)
- Dream a Little DreamDream a Little DreamDream a Little Dream is a 1989 teen film directed by Marc Rocco and stars Jason Robards, Corey Feldman, Piper Laurie, Meredith Salenger, Harry Dean Stanton and Corey Haim. It was filmed in Wilmington, North Carolina. Released in 1,019 theaters, it accumulated $5,552,441. This was the third film...
(1989) (executive producer) - C.H.U.D. II: Bud the C.H.U.D.C.H.U.D. II: Bud the C.H.U.D.C.H.U.D. II: Bud the C.H.U.D. is a 1989 comedy horror film, directed by David K. Irving, written by M. Kane Jeeves and stars Brian Robbins, Tricia Leigh Fisher and Bianca Jagger.-Plot:...
(1989) (executive producer) - She's Back (1989) (executive producer)
- The Beat (1988) (executive producer)
- You Can't Hurry LoveYou Can't Hurry Love (film)You Can't Hurry Love is a 1988 comedy film written and directed by Richard Martini. A guy who moonlights as a low-budget director of commercials is looking for someone to love, so he pays a dating service and is videotaped on several occasions...
(1988) (executive producer) - Dangerous Curves (1988) (executive producer)
- Blood DinerBlood DinerBlood Diner is a 1987 horror-comedy film, a loose remake of the 1963 film Blood Feast.-Plot:Blood Diner is a dark comedy/horror about two brothers, Michael Tutman and George Tutman becoming brainwashed by their serial killer uncle Anwar Namtut , into completing his task of resurrecting the...
(1987) (executive producer) - Party CampParty CampParty Camp is an American comedy film released in 1987. The plot revolved around a teenager who takes a job as a summer camp counselor, only to spend the whole experience partying and creating hijinks.-Plot:...
(1987) (executive producer) - The Underachievers (1987) (executive producer)
External links
- IMDB page
- Official site of Threshold Entertainment