Australia’s Village Roadshow Group has clarified it’s completely unaffected by the recent bankruptcy filing of the US-based Village Roadshow Entertainment Group (VREG). The Aussie company is even moving to sever ties with its American namesake.
Here’s the Lowdown: Village Roadshow Group, the Australian company established in 1954, that encompasses theme parks, film distribution, production, studios, and cinemas, is a completely separate entity from VREG. The Australian group stressed that VREG’s financial troubles have zero impact on its operations or its long-standing relationship with Warner Bros.
What This Means Now: Village Roadshow Group in Australia continues business as usual. It has no operational or financial ties to VREG, beyond a 3% stake, and wasn’t even directly informed of the bankruptcy filing.
The Bigger Picture: The Australian company learned of VREG’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy through the press. CEO Clark Kirby has already moved to terminate VREG’s use of the Village Roadshow name. It clarifies that former VREG CEO, Steve Mosko, stepped down in January and reports highlight that financial difficulties arose in late 2024 at VREG, including late payments to writers and a stop-work order from the WGA West. The bankruptcy filing acknowledges unpaid contracts. Village Roadshow Australia are keen to reassure that it’s businesses “continue to be market leaders in their sectors and highly profitable.”
