Warner Bros, one of the world’s most successful film studios, has committed to keep its European headquarters in London in a move seen as a vote of confidence for the UK’s entertainment industry in the wake of Britain's vote to leave the EU.
The Hollywood film-maker behind the Harry Potter franchise and the DC superhero movies has agreed a major lease extension at its 98 Theobald’s Road office, according to sources cited by the Evening Standard.
Warner Bros had a lease at the location until 2019, but has since extended it until at least 2034.
The agreement will help alleviate fears that the Brexit vote could impact sales of UK and international films made in Britain, sources said.
All parties declined to comment.
The majority of people working in the UK’s media and creative sectors opposed Brexit, saying leaving the EU would damage the global role of Britain’s film, TV and advertising sectors, according to survey by Media Business Insight (MBI), publisher of Screen International.
One of the biggest concerns was the knock-on effect a Leave vote could have on UK companies selling rights to films and TV shows
Other fears included how difficult it would be to make films and TV shows in mainland Europe and the impact on British creatives working abroad.
Conor Dignam, the chief executive officer of MBI, which carried out the survey said: “British film and TV is now part of a global business and there’s obvious concern about creating new barriers to creative and media companies and talent that needs to compete on an international basis.”
Warner Bros is apparently mulling over the idea to bring the story of the Brexit campaign to the big screen.
Nigel Farage backer Arron Banks is reportedly in talks with the studio over a film about the former Ukip leader’s Brexit campaign. The film would surround Mr Banks’s book, titled The Bad Boys of Brexit, which documents the highs and lows of the Leave camp’s efforts.
