• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

MacKenzie Scott alone accounted for one-third of America's $19.2 billion in megagifts last year

2

Now worth $200 million, Sarah Jessica Parker credits being ‘one of eight kids that struggled financially’ for her hunger, ambition, and work ethic

3

Ray Dalio says the U.S. just had its 'Suez moment'—and history says what comes next could end an empire

1

MacKenzie Scott alone accounted for one-third of America's $19.2 billion in megagifts last year

2

Now worth $200 million, Sarah Jessica Parker credits being ‘one of eight kids that struggled financially’ for her hunger, ambition, and work ethic

3

Ray Dalio says the U.S. just had its 'Suez moment'—and history says what comes next could end an empire
Arts & Entertainmentharvey weinstein

The Weinstein Company May Be Sold or Shut Down Amid Sexual Assault Scandal

By
Tom Huddleston Jr.
Tom Huddleston Jr.
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Tom Huddleston Jr.
Tom Huddleston Jr.
Down Arrow Button Icon
October 13, 2017, 5:50 PM ET
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

The Weinstein Company is reportedly exploring either a sale or a complete shutdown in the wake of the growing list of sexual harassment and assault allegations brought against its co-founder, Hollywood movie mogul Harvey Weinstein.

The Wall Street Journal, citing an anonymous source, reported on Friday that the independent film studio could either change hands or wind down operations as the fallout continues from Weinstein’s accusers coming forward to allege decades of inappropriate behavior. The Weinstein Company’s board fired Weinstein last weekend, and the studio reportedly had been considering various executive reorganization plans, as well as a potential name change. But the possibility of a sale or shutdown suggests that the deepening scandal around its high-profile co-founder has proven too toxic to escape.

Police departments in both London and New York City reportedly launched criminal investigations this week into allegations of past assault by Weinstein, who has been accused of rape in some instances, while a long list of high-profile actresses including Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie, Cara Delevingne, and Ashley Judd have come forward to allege years of harassment. Earlier this week, Weinstein’s spokesperson issued a statement in response to several of the allegations of sexual harassment and assault: “Any allegations of non-consensual sex are unequivocally denied by Mr Weinstein.”

Fortune contacted The Weinstein Company for comment and we will update this article with any response. Co-chairman Bob Weinstein (Harvey’s brother), issued a statement on Friday: “Our banks, partners and shareholders are fully supportive of the company and it is untrue that the company or board is exploring a sale or shutdown.” Weinstein also noted several upcoming films the studio has plans to release in the coming months, including a sequel to the studio’s 2015 children’s book adaptation, Paddington. “Business is continuing as usual as the company moves ahead,” Weinstein added.

Get Data Sheet, Fortune’s technology newsletter.

The Weinstein scandal has churned out a steady stream of troubling news for more than a week, leaving the fate of the powerful film executive’s studio hanging in the balance. Apple decided to kill a planned Elvis Presley biopic it had in the works with The Weinstein Company, while Amazon’s TV and film production unit (which is facing its own scandal over harassment allegations) is reportedly “reviewing” its options with respect to the TV series projects the company is developing with Weinstein’s studio. Meanwhile, the book publisher Hachette Book Group said on Thursday that it is shutting down the Weinstein Books imprint it runs in partnership with The Weinstein Company.

On Friday, banking behemoth Goldman Sachs said it is already exploring the possibility of selling off its own small stake in The Weinstein Company, which is reportedly only worth around $1 million, according to the Los Angeles Times. Goldman Sachs raised nearly $1 billion to help finance the studio when it launched in 2005, and the bank acquired more than 200 movie titles from The Weinstein Company in 2010 in exchange for forgiving debt owed by the studio.

The fact that other Hollywood players appear to be distancing themselves from The Weinstein Company makes it unclear whether the studio will be able to find a suitable deal to sell the company, only to have it continue operating under a new owner. WSJ, which reports that interested buyers have approached the company’s board, also notes that the board already scrapped plans to allow Weinstein’s brother, and fellow co-chairman, Bob Weinstein, run the company along with president David Glasser. (Meanwhile, a rumored plan to change the studio’s name in an attempt at distancing the business from its namesake also came under fire this week.)

Should the studio be shut down completely, WSJ notes, The Weinstein Company’s extensive catalog of films and TV shows—which includes Academy Award winners such as The Artist and The King’s Speech—would likely be sold off piecemeal, along with other studio assets.

About the Author
By Tom Huddleston Jr.
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Latest in Arts & Entertainment

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Arts & Entertainment

p
EnvironmentParis
The most coveted accessory at Paris Fashion Week was an ice pack
By Thomas Adamson and The Associated PressJune 26, 2026
11 hours ago
st
EuropeSwitzerland
Switzerland’s Great St. Bernard Pass has a new museum to celebrate its most famous export: the giant dogs that eat 10 metric tons of food per year
By The Associated PressJune 26, 2026
13 hours ago
AI is overwhelming our senses—Edward Enninful has an answer for that 
EuropeLetter from London
AI is overwhelming our senses—Edward Enninful has an answer for that 
By Kamal AhmedJune 26, 2026
20 hours ago
merlin
North AmericaWorld Cup
Merlin the Duck was allowed inside Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium, but only to film a commercial
By Nayara Batschke and The Associated PressJune 25, 2026
1 day ago
GTA 6 release date is finally here—but the $80 price tag and missing disc have gamers furious
Arts & EntertainmentGaming
GTA 6 release date is finally here—but the $80 price tag and missing disc have gamers furious
By Whizy Kim and Tech BrewJune 25, 2026
1 day ago
Private equity gets cut of two of Taylor Swift’s biggest pop hits through Max Martin’s catalog sale
Arts & Entertainmentprivate equity
Private equity gets cut of two of Taylor Swift’s biggest pop hits through Max Martin’s catalog sale
By Mia OsmonbekovJune 25, 2026
1 day ago

Most Popular

MacKenzie Scott alone accounted for one-third of America's $19.2 billion in megagifts last year
Success
MacKenzie Scott alone accounted for one-third of America's $19.2 billion in megagifts last year
By Sydney LakeJune 25, 2026
2 days ago
Now worth $200 million, Sarah Jessica Parker credits being ‘one of eight kids that struggled financially’ for her hunger, ambition, and work ethic
Success
Now worth $200 million, Sarah Jessica Parker credits being ‘one of eight kids that struggled financially’ for her hunger, ambition, and work ethic
By Orianna Rosa RoyleJune 24, 2026
3 days ago
Ray Dalio says the U.S. just had its 'Suez moment'—and history says what comes next could end an empire
Economy
Ray Dalio says the U.S. just had its 'Suez moment'—and history says what comes next could end an empire
By Nick LichtenbergJune 26, 2026
22 hours ago
The bond market knows something about the $39 trillion national debt that Washington doesn’t
Economy
The bond market knows something about the $39 trillion national debt that Washington doesn’t
By Eva RoytburgJune 25, 2026
1 day ago
Trump turns on Big Oil donors who spent nearly $100 million to get him elected—now he wants the DOJ to investigate them for price gouging
Economy
Trump turns on Big Oil donors who spent nearly $100 million to get him elected—now he wants the DOJ to investigate them for price gouging
By Tristan BoveJune 25, 2026
1 day ago
The richest 20% are the only ones powering the U.S. economy, says top economist, but their prospects are entirely reliant on teetering stock prices
Economy
The richest 20% are the only ones powering the U.S. economy, says top economist, but their prospects are entirely reliant on teetering stock prices
By Eleanor PringleJune 26, 2026
18 hours ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.