For Hollywood business types, the rift between movie studio Warner Bros. and its longtime financing partner Village Roadshow Entertainment Group has been a little like seeing "The Matrix's" Neo and Trinity break up.
For 25 years, Los Angeles-based Village Roadshow and Warner Bros. enjoyed a fruitful relationship during which Village provided some $4.5 billion to co-fund 91 movies, including hits like "The Matrix," "Sherlock Holmes" and "Joker."
Village Roadshow shared in the spoils of Warner Bros.' wins while softening the blow of flops such as "Jupiter Ascending" and "King Arthur: Legend of the Sword."
