Sony Pictures History (cont'd)

In 2006, the long-awaited film from the popular novel of the same name, THE DA VINCI CODE starring Tom Hanks, was released, setting international weekend records at $154.8 million. Sony Pictures acquired Grouper, an online venture boasting one of the largest video communities. It was re-launched the following year as Crackle, engaging global audiences with emerging talent on the web. The Animation division released their first full-length action adventure comedy, OPEN SEASON and the end of the year brought well-deserved acclaim for the visually stunning film, MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA, which garnered three Academy Awards® for Best Art Direction, Cinematography and Costume Design.

SPIDER-MAN 3™ made motion picture history with a record-breaking $382 million worldwide debut in May of 2007. Later that year, Michael Lynton and Amy Pascal, Co-Chairs of SPE, broke ground on a studio development project called the “LOT Project,” which adds over 200,000 square feet of office and support space to the Studio lot. The LOT project aims to achieve Gold-level LEED Certification following stringent guidelines for environmentally friendly design, construction and operation. The first phase is slated to open in September 2009. Other milestones in 2007 included the 25th anniversary of the popular syndicated series, WHEEL OF FORTUNE, and Sony Pictures Animation’s second film, SURF’S UP, received an Oscar® nomination for Best Animated Feature.

Sony Pictures Television welcomed the return of seven series in 2008, and earned a total of 29 primetime Emmy Award nominations later in the year, a record for the company. The Digital Production units were realigned, bringing Sony Pictures Interactive under the same management roof with the Imageworks and Animation divisions. HANCOCK, the Will Smith blockbuster, tallied more than $600 million in global box office receipts. The 22nd installment of the 007 franchise and the final film SPE produced in partnership with MGM, QUANTUM OF SOLACE, was released internationally two weeks before domestic release. The film’s $70 million bow its first domestic weekend set a record for Bond films and was the third highest opening in 2008.