Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group, renowned for its spectacular live shows in Las Vegas and beyond, is making a significant foray into Hollywood with the launch of Cirque du Soleil Studio. This new venture marks a strategic move into longform content production, kicking off with a high-profile collaboration with Ridley Scott and Scott Free Productions.
The inaugural project under this partnership will bring Cirque du Soleil’s iconic water-based stage production ‘O’ at the Bellagio to the silver screen. Michael Pruss, president of film production at Scott Free, expressed excitement about adapting the mesmerizing world of ‘O’ for cinema.
Leading the charge at Cirque du Soleil Studio is Susan Levison, appointed as the general manager for film and TV in Los Angeles. Levison brings a wealth of experience from her tenure at WWE Studios and CBS Television Studios, where she spearheaded the development of diverse content across multiple platforms.
“I’m thrilled to be joining the vibrant and talented team at Cirque du Soleil during such an exciting time of growth and transformation. We intend to leverage our extensive IP library to create TV and film projects that surprise and delight our audience,” remarked Levison on her new role.
The Montreal-based entertainment giant views the launch of Cirque du Soleil Studio as a pivotal strategy to explore new revenue streams and expand its global footprint in the entertainment industry. Beyond its world-famous circus performances, Cirque du Soleil has previously ventured into film, TV, and digital media collaborations with partners like Bell Media and Saban Brands.
With the establishment of its Los Angeles studios, Cirque du Soleil aims not only to enhance its creative capabilities but also to set a new standard for engaging entertainment across various platforms. Anne Belliveau, chief customer experience officer at Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group, emphasized the studio’s role in shaping the future of immersive entertainment.
As Cirque du Soleil ventures deeper into Hollywood, the collaboration with Ridley Scott and the launch of Cirque du Soleil Studio underscore the company’s commitment to captivating global audiences with its unique blend of creativity and spectacle.