EuropaCorp
Corporate brand
UnclaimedEuropaCorp is a French independent film studio and entertainment company founded by filmmaker Luc Besson.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
EuropaCorp is a French motion-picture and entertainment company founded by filmmaker Luc Besson in 1992. Originally established as Leeloo Productions, the company became EuropaCorp in 2000 and developed into one of France’s best-known independent studios with an unusually broad range of activities. Unlike a producer focused only on financing or making films, EuropaCorp has historically combined development, production, co-production, theatrical distribution, international sales, home entertainment, video-on-demand, licensing, publishing, music-related activities and television production. The company’s feature-film business became more substantial after the success of Taxi and The Dancer, and it subsequently built a commercially recognizable catalogue around action, thriller, science-fiction, animation and family entertainment. Its strongest international franchises include The Transporter, Taken and Arthur and the Invisibles. EuropaCorp’s productions and co-productions have often been designed for international circulation, with English-language films and globally marketable concepts forming an important part of its strategy. The studio has worked with internationally known performers and filmmakers and has used partnerships with foreign distributors and co-financiers to expand the reach of its titles. EuropaCorp went public on Euronext Paris in 2007. During the following decade it expanded its international distribution network, entered output and co-production arrangements in China and Poland, established a Japanese distribution joint venture, and developed television activities through EuropaCorp Television. The television division produced or participated in series including No Limit, Transporter: The Series, XIII: The Series and Taken: The Series. In 2018, the French television operation was sold to Mediawan and renamed Storia Television, while the American television arm was excluded from that transaction. The company later experienced severe financial pressure. Its difficulties were associated with underperforming productions, a reduction in active film production, debt obligations and disruption surrounding the collapse of distribution partner Relativity Media. In 2018, EuropaCorp also faced reputational and market pressure after allegations were made against Luc Besson; the relevant criminal investigation ultimately ended with a final dismissal by France’s Court of Cassation in 2023. In 2019, the company received court protection in France and sought bankruptcy protection in the United States. In February 2020, Vine Alternative Investments acquired a controlling interest, with Falcon Strategic Partners IV also taking a significant minority stake. EuropaCorp has been based at the Cité du Cinéma complex in Saint-Denis since 2012. The company has also been connected with post-production and studio infrastructure, including Digital Factory, although Digital Factory was sold to Groupe Atlantis in 2022. EuropaCorp remains associated with commercially oriented French and international filmmaking, especially action-driven genre entertainment and projects linked to Luc Besson, while its ownership, distribution structure and operating scale have changed substantially since its publicly traded expansion period.
History
EuropaCorp was created in 1992 by Luc Besson under the name Leeloo Productions. Besson had previously established Les Films du Dauphin, a separate production company, but Leeloo became the foundation of the business that later developed into EuropaCorp. The company’s early identity was closely connected to Besson’s filmmaking career, although it gradually expanded beyond films directed by its founder. The company adopted the EuropaCorp name in 2000. That year, Pierre-Ange Le Pogam, a longtime Besson associate from Gaumont, joined the organization and became a central executive figure. EuropaCorp’s feature-film activity became more prominent through projects such as Taxi and The Dancer. It subsequently pursued an integrated studio model in which production, financing, distribution and exploitation of rights could be coordinated across theatrical, home-entertainment and international markets. The studio’s international profile grew through commercially successful productions and co-productions. The Transporter series, Taken and the Arthur and the Invisibles films helped establish a recognizable catalogue of action, thriller and family-oriented properties. EuropaCorp also produced films in a range of other genres, including prestige and independent projects. Its international strategy frequently involved English-language productions, overseas sales arrangements and partnerships with regional distributors. The company’s films attracted internationally recognized actors and were marketed beyond France. EuropaCorp became publicly traded on Euronext Paris in July 2007. It continued to build a wider entertainment infrastructure, including television production, distribution relationships, publishing and technical operations. The company moved to the Cité du Cinéma in Saint-Denis in 2012. The complex provided production stages, technical facilities, screening areas and offices, and EuropaCorp held a minority interest in the company operating the studios. In 2010, the group acquired television producer Cipango and used the EuropaCorp Television label to develop scripted content. Its television projects included XIII: The Series, No Limit, Transporter: The Series, Flight of the Storks and Taken: The Series. International partnerships were important to the studio’s expansion. EuropaCorp created a Japanese distribution joint venture with Asmik Ace, Sumitomo Corporation and Kadokawa Shoten. It also entered a three-year Chinese output arrangement with Fundamental Films in 2012 covering fifteen feature films, including co-productions. In North America, EuropaCorp worked first with Relativity Media through the Relativity EuropaCorp Distribution label and later with STX Entertainment after Relativity encountered financial difficulties. A 2015 output arrangement with Poland’s Kino Świat further extended its distribution network. The business entered a difficult period in the late 2010s. The company’s financial position was weakened by production and distribution challenges, and the collapse of a North American distribution relationship added pressure. In 2018, EuropaCorp sold its French television division to Mediawan, which renamed the operation Storia Television, and agreed to sell the Roissy Films catalogue to Gaumont. The company also faced public controversy after an actress accused Luc Besson of rape. Although the allegation produced substantial reputational and market consequences, the related case was ultimately dismissed, with the dismissal becoming final at the Court of Cassation in 2023. In 2019, EuropaCorp received a six-month debt waiver and court protection from a French commercial court. It also filed for bankruptcy protection in the United States while seeking a financial solution. Vine Alternative Investments and Falcon Strategic Partners IV became the company’s principal investors in February 2020, with Vine acquiring a controlling stake. The ownership change marked a transition from the company’s earlier public-market structure. EuropaCorp continued to streamline its assets. Digital Factory, a business associated with the group’s post-production activities, was sold to Groupe Atlantis in 2022. In 2024, Jean-Marc Lacarrère became chief executive officer. The company remains an independent French film brand with international production, distribution and catalogue interests, though its scale and ownership differ from the expansion period following its 2007 listing.
- 2024
Jean-Marc Lacarrère becomes chief executive
[1]Lacarrère takes over as chief executive in March.
- 2022
Digital Factory is sold
[1]EuropaCorp sells the post-production company Digital Factory to Groupe Atlantis.
- 2020
Change of control
[1]Vine Alternative Investments acquires a controlling stake, with Falcon Strategic Partners IV taking a further minority position.
- 2019
Court protection and U.S. bankruptcy filing
[1]The studio seeks legal protection in France and the United States amid financial distress.
- 2018
Television division and catalogue restructuring
[1]Mediawan acquires the French television division, and EuropaCorp agrees to sell the Roissy Films library to Gaumont.
- 2012
Relocation to the Cité du Cinéma
[1]The company moves to the major studio and production complex in Saint-Denis.
- 2010
Television expansion
[1]EuropaCorp acquires television producer Cipango and develops EuropaCorp Television.
- 2007
Initial public offering on Euronext Paris
[1]EuropaCorp successfully completes its public listing in Paris.
- 2000
The company adopts the EuropaCorp name
[1]Leeloo Productions is renamed EuropaCorp as the business broadens its studio ambitions.
- 1992
Leeloo Productions is founded
[1]Luc Besson establishes the production company that later becomes EuropaCorp.
Products and positioning
An integrated, internationally oriented independent studio combining French creative production with commercial genre filmmaking, international distribution and catalogue exploitation.
Action-thriller film franchise · 2008
Taken
Taken is one of EuropaCorp’s most internationally recognizable film properties. The franchise centers on highly direct rescue and pursuit narratives and helped demonstrate the company’s ability to develop English-language action films for broad global distribution. Its commercial profile strengthened EuropaCorp’s reputation for compact, exportable genre concepts and supported later exploitation through sequels, home entertainment, television adaptation and licensing.
Action film franchise · 2002
The Transporter
The Transporter series is built around a professional driver involved in dangerous deliveries and criminal operations. The films combine international locations, martial-arts-influenced action and fast-moving thriller plots. The property became a major part of EuropaCorp’s international action portfolio and was later extended into television through Transporter: The Series.
Family fantasy and animation film series · 2006
Arthur and the Invisibles
Arthur and the Invisibles is a family-oriented fantasy property created around a young protagonist entering a miniature world. The series combines live action with computer-generated imagery and animated elements, giving EuropaCorp a franchise outside its better-known action and thriller output. It also illustrates the company’s interest in visually ambitious, internationally marketable entertainment for younger audiences.
Television production · 2010
EuropaCorp Television
EuropaCorp Television was the company’s television production division, created to adapt existing film properties and develop original scripted projects for French and international audiences. Its credits included XIII: The Series, No Limit, Transporter: The Series, Flight of the Storks and Taken: The Series. The French operation was sold to Mediawan in 2018 and renamed Storia Television.
Distribution and rights business · 2000
International film distribution and sales
EuropaCorp has historically distributed its own productions and third-party titles through theatrical, home-entertainment, video-on-demand and international sales channels. The company built relationships with regional partners in North America, China, Japan and Poland, while also managing licensing and catalogue rights. Its distribution activity has been central to the integrated studio model and to the international circulation of its French and English-language films.
Controversies
2018
Allegations against Luc Besson
An actress accused Luc Besson of rape. The allegation created reputational and financial-market pressure around EuropaCorp because of Besson’s role as founder and controlling figure. The related proceedings ultimately ended with a final dismissal by France’s Court of Cassation in 2023.
Marketing campaigns
- 2015Kino Świat output arrangement
Poland
EuropaCorp announced an output deal with Polish distributor Kino Świat to support the local release of its titles.
Outcome. Expanded EuropaCorp’s European distribution network.
- 2014Relativity EuropaCorp Distribution
United States · Canada
EuropaCorp partnered with Relativity Media to distribute EuropaCorp films in North America under the Relativity EuropaCorp Distribution branding.
Outcome. The arrangement was later superseded after Relativity experienced financial difficulties.
- 2012Chinese output and co-production partnership
China · France · International
EuropaCorp entered a three-year output arrangement with Fundamental Films covering fifteen feature films, including three co-productions. The agreement was designed to improve access to the Chinese market and support the financing and circulation of internationally oriented productions.
Outcome. Fundamental Films later became a significant shareholder in EuropaCorp.
Brand decisions
2022
Divest Digital FactoryM&ABackground
EuropaCorp continued concentrating on its core film and entertainment activities.
Action taken
Digital Factory was sold to Groupe Atlantis.
Aftermath
Post-production ownership shifted outside EuropaCorp’s corporate structure.
2020
Accept investment from Vine Alternative Investments and Falcon Strategic Partners IVM&ABackground
The investment followed EuropaCorp’s court-protection and bankruptcy proceedings.
Action taken
Vine Alternative Investments acquired 60.15 percent of the company and Falcon Strategic Partners IV acquired 6.25 percent.
Aftermath
EuropaCorp moved from its earlier public-market ownership structure to control by financial investors.
2019
Seek court protection and restructure debtStrategyBackground
The studio faced severe liquidity and debt pressure and had limited active production.
Action taken
EuropaCorp obtained a temporary debt waiver and court protection in France, then filed for bankruptcy protection in the United States.
Aftermath
The proceedings preceded negotiations with investors and the eventual change of control in 2020.
2018
Sell the French television division to MediawanM&ABackground
EuropaCorp was reducing and reorganizing parts of its operating structure while Mediawan was expanding its scripted-content production business.
Action taken
The French television division was sold to Mediawan and renamed Storia Television.
Aftermath
EuropaCorp retained its American television arm, which was excluded from the transaction.
2018
Sell the Roissy Films catalogue to GaumontM&ABackground
The agreement formed part of EuropaCorp’s efforts to manage its catalogue and financial position.
Action taken
EuropaCorp agreed to transfer the Roissy Films library to Gaumont.
Aftermath
Gaumont expanded its catalogue while EuropaCorp continued restructuring its assets.
Recent events
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