Last August, Warner Bros. Discovery unveiled a plan to work with Birtcher Development and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas on an ambitious proposal to develop, build and lease a studio lot complex in what was described as a long-term commitment for an $8.5 billion production spend in the state over the course of more than a decade.
That particular vision appears to have hit a speed bump as Warner Bros. confirms that it is no longer working with Birtcher on development of the sprawling studio complex that had been described as a game-changer for feature and television production in the state. However, the studio is said to be evaluating partners for a potential complex for what would be called Warner Bros. Studios Nevada but will be starting over with a new developer.
“We remain committed to creating Warner Bros. Studios Nevada, and excited about the opportunity to bring great jobs, workforce and economic development, and educational opportunities to the state,” a Warner Bros. Discovery spokesperson stated on Thursday. The dissolution of the partnership with Birtcher was first reported by The Nevada Independent.
Unveiled at the end of last summer, Warner Bros. Studios chief operating officer Simon Robinson described the plan for a studio base in Nevada that would complement its offerings at its 110-acre home base, Burbank, and in Leavesden in the United Kingdom (where Warners has plotted an expansion to house DC Studios projects).
“Warner Bros. Studios Nevada represents a great opportunity to further expand our facilities to accommodate these productions and more in the future,” the exec stated. Robinson told The Nevada Independent at the time that the $8.5 billion figure would break down to about $500 million in committed annual spending over 17 years if the deal went through.
As part of the announcement, the partners noted that the plans for the complex would be contingent on a bill, originally authored in 2023 by State Senator Roberta Lange (full bill here), to be brought up in the state legislature in February of this year that would increase the amount of film and TV tax incentives offered by the state.
“It is important to understand that we have been working in partnership over the last four years with UNLV and the educational consortium, Birtcher Nevada, Organized Labor, and Manhattan Beach Studios, to create a dynamic opportunity for job development, educational opportunity, and economic growth,” stated Senator Lange when asked for comment by The Hollywood Reporter. “As we work to engage other partners in this effort, I will continue to work on behalf of Nevada’s citizens to ensure that our partnership is of high value and fidelity to the well-being and future of our State.”
Brooke Birtcher Gustafson, president of Birtcher Development, added: “We started this journey several years ago with Senator Lange and are engaged with UNLV for the development of the Nevada Studios Media and Technology Lab to advance her vision for education in the film industry sector. We’re sorry that Warner Bros has decided not to move forward with us. Birtcher remains committed to the initiatives at UNLV’s Harry Reid Research & Technology Park by developing a first-class film studio, and nothing has changed in our strategic relationship with Manhattan Beach Studios.”
Warner Bros. Discovery declined additional comment.
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