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Davis Entertainment

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This article is about the American production company. For the French independent production company, see Davis Films.
Davis Entertainment
Company typeFilm and television production company
IndustryEntertainment
Founded1984; 40 years ago (1984)
FounderJohn Davis
Headquarters
United States
ProductsMotion pictures and television programs

Davis Entertainment (also known as Davis Entertainment Company) is an American independent film and television production company, founded by John Davis in 1984.

Davis's three divisions–feature film, independent film, and television–develop and produce film and television projects for the major studios, independent distributors, networks and cable broadcasters. The company itself has enjoyed a long-standing first-look production deal at 20th Century Studios, although it also produces projects for all studios and mini-majors.

History

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The company was founded in 1984 by filmmaker John Davis and it was incorporated in Nevada on December 2, 1985. The company was officially established on May 21, 1986, in order to produce mid-to-high budget action films that were financed entirely by a studio, starting with Predator, a co-production with Lawrence Gordon Productions and Silver Pictures, and a series of other films that were planned for release by 20th Century Fox. It was decided that it would be done independently with co-investors, and it would help anticipate the expansion of telefilms and sitcoms.[1]

On February 18, 1987, Davis Entertainment partnered with Mark L. Lester of his Mark Lester Films company in order to handle the development of action-adventure films which were produced by the company, directed by Mark L. Lester, and it was independently financed by the two companies. The films that were made by the Lester/Davis alliance had ranked in the $5–10 million range, and would expect the co-venture to handle the production of two films before the yearend.[2]

In 1994, it launched its first foray into interactive games, and launched Catapult Entertainment, Inc. to produce its interactive video games.[3] That same year, Davis Entertainment Company signed a production deal with 20th Century Fox to develop feature films.[4][5]

In 1995, Davis Entertainment launched its art-house division Davis Entertainment Classics,[6] which was subsequently renamed Davis Entertainment Filmworks in 2002.[7] In 1998, Davis Entertainment struck a deal with 20th Century Fox Television to produce television shows for its networks, both broadcast and cable.[8]

In 2007, Michael Dorman joined its television division. At the same time, they signed a development pact with Fox Television Studios to produce series for television.[9]

In 2011, John Fox, a former employee of 20th Century Fox, joined the company.[5] In 2013, it signed a deal with Sony Pictures Television to develop television shows for platforms, broadcast, cable and streaming.[10]

Filmography

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Theatrical films

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1980s

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Year Title Director Distributor Notes Reviews from critics
1987 Predator[11] John McTiernan 20th Century Fox co-production with Lawrence Gordon Productions and Silver Pictures Mixed
Three O'Clock High Phil Joanou Universal Pictures uncredited; co-production with Aaron Spelling Productions
1988 License to Drive Greg Beeman 20th Century Fox co-production with Licht/Mueller Productions Negative
1989 Little Monsters Richard Alan Greenberg MGM/UA Distribution Co. co-production with Licht/Mueller Productions, Vestron Pictures and United Artists

1990s

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Year Title Director Distributor Notes Reviews from critics
1990 The Last of the Finest John Mackenzie Orion Pictures
Predator 2 Stephen Hopkins 20th Century Fox co-production with Gordon Company and Silver Pictures Mixed
1991 Shattered Wolfgang Petersen MGM/UA Distribution Co. co-production with Capella International, Palace Pictures and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
1992 Fortress Stuart Gordon Dimension Films
Columbia Pictures 		co-production with Village Roadshow Pictures Mixed
Storyville Mark Frost 20th Century Fox
1993 The Firm Sydney Pollack Paramount Pictures Mixed
The Thing Called Love Peter Bogdanovich
Grumpy Old Men[11] Donald Petrie Warner Bros.
1994 Gunmen Deran Sarafian Dimension Films
LIVE Entertainment
Richie Rich Donald Petrie Warner Bros. co-production with The Harvey Entertainment Company and Silver Pictures Mixed
1995 The Hunted J.F. Lawton Universal Pictures co-production with Bregman/Baer Productions, Inc.
Waterworld Kevin Reynolds co-production with Gordon Company and Licht/Mueller Film Corporation Mixed
Grumpier Old Men Howard Deutch Warner Bros.
The Grass Harp Charles Matthau Fine Line Features co-production with Alliance Communications Positive
1996 Denise Calls Up Hal Salwen Sony Pictures Classics co-production with Skyline Entertainment Partners, Dark Matters Productions, J. Thomas Harris Productions and Alliance Communications
The Chamber James Foley Universal Pictures co-production with Imagine Entertainment Negative
Daylight Rob Cohen co-production with Joseph M. Singer Entertainment Mixed
Courage Under Fire Edward Zwick 20th Century Fox co-production with Fox 2000 Pictures, Joseph M. Singer Entertainment and Friendly Films Positive
1997 Out to Sea Martha Coolidge co-production with Friendly Films Mixed
1998 Dr. Dolittle Betty Thomas co-production with Joseph M. Singer Entertainment and Friendly Films
1999 Dudley-Do-Right Hugh Wilson Universal Pictures co-production with Jay Ward Productions and Joseph M. Singer Entertainment Negative

2000s

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Year Title Director Distributor Notes Reviews from critics
2001 Heartbreakers[11] David Mirkin MGM Distribution Co. co-production with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Winchester Films Mixed
Dr. Dolittle 2 Steve Carr 20th Century Fox
Behind Enemy Lines John Moore Negative
2002 Life or Something Like It Stephen Herek co-production with Aei Entertainment, Regency Enterprises and New Regency
2003 Daddy Day Care Steve Carr Sony Pictures Releasing co-production with Columbia Pictures and Revolution Studios
Paycheck John Woo Paramount Pictures co-production with DreamWorks Pictures and Lion Rock Productions Mixed
2004 Garfield[11] Peter Hewitt 20th Century Fox co-production with Paws, Inc. Negative
I, Robot Alex Proyas co-production with Mediastream IV, Laurence Mark Productions and Overbrook Films Mixed
Alien vs. Predator Paul W.S. Anderson co-production with Brandywine Productions, Impact Pictures and Stillking Films Negative
First Daughter Forest Whitaker co-production with Regency Enterprises and New Regency
Fat Albert Joel Zwick
Flight of the Phoenix John Moore Mixed
2006 When a Stranger Calls Simon West Sony Pictures Releasing co-production with Screen Gems Negative
Garfield: A Tale of Two Kitties Tim Hill 20th Century Fox co-production with Paws, Inc.
Eragon Stefen Fangmeier
2007 Norbit Brian Robbins Paramount Pictures co-production with DreamWorks Pictures and Tollin/Robbins Productions
Daddy Day Camp Fred Savage Sony Pictures Releasing co-production with TriStar Pictures and Revolution Studios
The Heartbreak Kid Farrelly brothers Paramount Pictures co-production with DreamWorks Pictures, Radar Pictures and Conundrum Entertainment Mixed
Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem Strause brothers 20th Century Fox co-production with Brandywine Productions and Dune Entertainment Negative
2008 The Express: The Ernie Davis Story Gary Fleder Universal Pictures co-production with Relativity Media Mixed

2010s

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Year Title Director Distributor Notes Reviews from critics
2010 Marmaduke Tom Dey 20th Century Fox co-production with Dune Entertainment and Regency Enterprises Negative
Predators Nimród Antal co-production with Dune Entertainment and Troublemaker Studios Mixed
Gulliver's Travels Rob Letterman co-production with Dune Entertainment Negative
2011 Mr. Popper's Penguins Mark Waters Mixed
A Little Bit of Heaven Nicole Kassell Millennium Entertainment co-production with The Film Department Negative
2012 Chronicle Josh Trank 20th Century Fox co-production with Dune Entertainment Positive
2014 Devil's Due Matt Bettinelli-Olpin
Tyler Gillett 		co-production with Radio Silence Productions and TSG Entertainment Negative
2015 The Man from U.N.C.L.E. Guy Ritchie Warner Bros. Pictures co-production with RatPac-Dune Entertainment, Ritchie/Wigram Productions and Turner Entertainment Co. Mixed
Victor Frankenstein Paul McGuigan 20th Century Fox co-production with TSG Entertainment Negative
Joy David O. Russell co-production with Annapurna Pictures, TSG Entertainment and Fox 2000 Pictures Mixed
2017 Ferdinand Carlos Saldanha co-production with Blue Sky Studios and 20th Century Fox Animation Mixed to Positive
2018 Game Night John Francis Daley
Jonathan Goldstein 		Warner Bros. Pictures co-production with New Line Cinema, Access Entertainment and Aggregate Films Positive
The Predator Shane Black 20th Century Fox co-production with TSG Entertainment Mixed
2019 Shaft Tim Story Warner Bros. Pictures co-production with Netflix and New Line Cinema Mixed
Dolemite Is My Name Craig Brewer Netflix Positive

2020s

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Year Title Director Distributor Notes Reviews from critics
2021 Jungle Cruise Jaume Collet-Serra Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures co-production with Walt Disney Pictures, Seven Bucks Productions and Flynn Picture Company Mixed to Positive
2022 Prey[12] Dan Trachtenberg Hulu co-production with 20th Century Studios and Lawrence Gordon Productions Positive
2024 Harold and the Purple Crayon[13] Carlos Saldanha Sony Pictures Releasing co-production with Columbia Pictures and TSG Entertainment Negative
Uglies[14] McG Netflix co-production with Anonymous Content, Industry Entertainment, YRF Entertainment and Wonderland Sound and Vision

Upcoming

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Year Title Director Distributor Notes Status
2025 Flight Risk[15] Mel Gibson Lionsgate co-production with Icon Productions and Hammerstone Studios Post-production[16]
Predator: Badlands[17] Dan Trachtenberg 20th Century Studios Post-production
TBA The Pickup[18] Tim Story Amazon MGM Studios co-production with The Story Company and Eddie Murphy Productions Post-production
All of Me[19] TBA Universal Pictures In development
It Takes a Thief[20]
Song Sung Blue[21] Craig Brewer Focus Features Filming
Summertime[22] TBA Sony Pictures Releasing co-production with Screen Gems and Westbrook Studios In development
Untitled George Clinton biopic[23] Amazon MGM Studios
Untitled Jungle Cruise sequel[24][25] Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures co-production with Walt Disney Pictures, Seven Bucks Productions and Flynn Picture Company
Vertigo[26] Paramount Pictures co-production with Team Downey

Direct-to-video films

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1990s

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Year Title Director Distributor Notes
1990 Enid Is Sleeping Maurice Phillips Live Home Video co-production with Vestron Pictures

2000s

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Year Title Director Distributor Notes
2000 The Settlement Mark Steilen MTI Home Video co-production with CineTel Films, Dosgmile Pictures and JeanRoy Entertainment
Labor Pains Tracy Alexson USA Home Entertainment uncredited; co-production with Dogsmile Pictures and Prosperity Pictures
2006 Dr. Dolittle 3 Rich Thorne 20th Century Home Entertainment
2007 Garfield Gets Real Mark A.Z. Dippé co-production with The Animation Picture Company and Paws, Inc.
2008 Dr. Dolittle: Tail to the Chief Craig Shapiro
Garfield's Fun Fest Mark A.Z. Dippé co-production with The Animation Picture Company and Paws, Inc.
2009 Dr. Dolittle: Million Dollar Mutts Alex Zamm
Garfield's Pet Force Mark A.Z. Dippé
Kyung Ho-Lee 		co-production with The Animation Picture Company and Paws, Inc.

Television movies

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1990s

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Year Title Director Network Notes
1990 Curiosity Kills Colin Bucksey USA Network co-production with MTE
Dangerous Passion Michael Miller ABC co-production with Stormy Weather Productions and Carolco Pictures
Silhouette Carl Schenkel USA Network co-production with Faye Dunaway Productions and MTE
1992 Wild Card Mel Damski co-production with MTE
1993 The Last Outlaw Geoff Murphy HBO co-production with HBO Pictures
Voyage John Mackenzie USA Network co-production with ITC Entertainment, Quinta Communications and USA Pictures
1994 This Can't Be Love Anthony Harvey CBS co-production with World International Network and Pacific Motion Pictures
One Christmas Tony Bill NBC co-production with Karpf Productions
Tears and Laughter: The Joan and Melissa Rivers Story Oz Scott
New Eden Alan Metzger Sci-Fi Channel co-production with MTE
1997 Asteroid Bradford May NBC co-production with NBC Studios
Volcano: Fire on the Mountain[27] Graeme Campbell ABC co-production with Pacific Motion Pictures and World International Network
1998 Miracle at Midnight Ken Cameron co-production with Walt Disney Television
1999 The Jesse Ventura Story David Jackson NBC co-production with NBC Studios

2000s

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Year Title Director Network Notes
2000 Little Richard Robert Townsend NBC co-production with Fox Television Studios
2001 Sunk on Christmas Eve Bill Jardine National Geographic Channel
2005 Nadine in Date Land Amie Steir Oxygen co-production with Departure Studios
Life Is Ruff Charles Haid Disney Channel co-production with Salty Pictures
2007 Jump In! Paul Hoen co-production with Hop, Skip and Jump Productions

2010s

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Year Title Director Network Notes
2011 Locke & Key Mark Romanek Fox television pilot; co-production with 20th Century Fox Television, DreamWorks Television and K/O Paper Products
2017 Behind Enemy Lines[28] McG television pilot; co-production with 20th Century Fox Television and Temple Hill Entertainment

2020s

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Year Title Director Network Notes
2020 Echo[29] TBA NBC pilot order; co-production with Universal Television

Television series

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2010s

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Year Title Creators Network Notes
2013–2023 The Blacklist Jon Bokenkamp NBC co-production with Open 4 Business Productions, Universal Television and Sony Pictures Television
2013 Ironside based on the 1967 series by:
Collier Young
developed by:
Michael Caleo 		co-production with Post 109, Yellow Brick Road Productions and Universal Television
2015 The Player John Rogers
John Fox 		co-production with Kung Fu Monkey Productions, Universal Television and Sony Pictures Television
2015–2017 Dr. Ken Jared Stern
Ken Jeong
John Fox 		ABC co-production with Old Charlie Productions, ABC Studios and Sony Pictures Television
2016–2018 Timeless Eric Kripke
Shawn Ryan 		NBC co-production with Kripke Enterprises, MiddKid Productions, Universal Television and Sony Pictures Television
2017 The Blacklist: Redemption Jon Bokenkamp
John Eisendrath
Lukas Reiter
J. R. Orci 		co-production with John Eisendrath Productions, Flatwater Scribe, Open 4 Business Productions, Universal Television and Sony Pictures Television
2018 Alex, Inc. Matt Tarses
based on StartUp podcast by:
Gimlet Media, Inc. 		ABC co-production with Two Soups Productions, ABC Studios and Sony Pictures Television
2018–2024 Magnum, P.I. based on the 1980 TV series by:
Donald P. Bellisario
Glen A. Larson
developed by:
Peter M. Lenkov
Eric Guggenheim 		CBS/NBC co-production with 101st Street Entertainment, Perfect Storm Entertainment, Universal Television and CBS Studios

2020s

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Year Title Creators Network Notes
2021–present The Equalizer based on the 1985 TV series by:
Michael Sloan
Richard Lindheim
developed by:
Queen Latifah
Richard Lindheim 		CBS co-production with Flavor Unit Entertainment, Martin Chase Productions, Milmar Pictures (seasons 1—2), Wilson Avenue (season 3), Shattered Glass (season 3), Universal Television and CBS Studios
2021 Rebel Krista Vernoff ABC co-production with ABC Signature, Sony Pictures Television and Trip The Light Productions
2022 Blockbuster Vanessa Ramos Netflix co-production with Universal Television, Foe Paws and Shark vs. Bear Productions

Highest-grossing films

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Highest-grossing films
Rank Title Year Domestic gross Notes
1 I, Robot 2004 $144,801,023 co-produced by Overbrook Entertainment
2 Dr. Dolittle 1998 $144,156,605 co-produced by Friendly Films
3 Jungle Cruise 2021 $116,987,516 co-produced by Walt Disney Pictures, Flynn Picture Company and Seven Bucks Productions
4 Dr. Dolittle 2 2001 $112,952,899
5 Daddy Day Care 2003 $104,297,061 co-produced by Revolution Studios
6 Norbit 2007 $95,673,607 co-produced by DreamWorks Pictures and Tollin/Robbins Productions
7 Waterworld 1995 $88,246,220 co-produced by Gordon Company and Licht/Mueller Film Corporation
8 Ferdinand 2017 $84,410,380 co-produced by Blue Sky Studios
9 Alien vs. Predator 2004 $80,282,231 co-produced by Brandywine Productions
10 Garfield: The Movie 2004 $75,369,589 co-produced by Paws, Inc.

References

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  1. ^ "John Davis Forms Prod. Outfit For Mid-To-Hi Budget Actioneers". Variety. 1986-05-21. p. 17.
  2. ^ "Davis, Lester Pair For Action Films". Variety. 1987-02-18. p. 31.
  3. ^ "Company Town : In the Name of the Son : John Davis Is Working to Make His Own Mark". Los Angeles Times. 1994-06-07. Retrieved 2020-05-04.
  4. ^ McNary, Dave (2005-09-23). "Davis reups deal at Fox". Variety. Retrieved 2020-05-04.
  5. ^ a b Abrams, Rachel (2011-04-12). "Fox ankles Fox for Davis Entertainment". Variety. Retrieved 2020-05-04.
  6. ^ "Davis cranks up Classics arm". Variety. 1995-05-22. Retrieved 2020-05-04.
  7. ^ Harris, Dana (2002-01-15). "Davis redubs indie banner". Variety. Retrieved 2020-05-04.
  8. ^ Hontz, Jenny (1998-10-20). "Davis, Fox ink TV pact". Variety. Retrieved 2020-05-04.
  9. ^ Schneider, Michael (2007-10-24). "John Davis takes Fox TV deal". Variety. Retrieved 2020-05-04.
  10. ^ "'The Blacklist' Producers Ink First Look Deal at Sony TV (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. 29 July 2013. Retrieved 2020-05-04.
  11. ^ a b c d Kinsey, Michelle (June 5, 2004). "Hometown cat Garfield's movie opens next week". The Star Press. Vol. 105, no. 362. Muncie, Indiana. pp. 1, 6 – via Newspapers.com. Note - the link provided is to part two of the article; part one is located here.
  12. ^ "Predator 5 in the works from 10 Cloverfield Lane director Dan Trachtenberg". 20 November 2020.
  13. ^ "Zachary Levi to Star in Sony's Live-Action 'Harold and the Purple Crayon' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. 1 February 2021.
  14. ^ Kroll, Justin (September 29, 2020). "Joey King To Star And Exec Produce Netflix's Adaptation of 'Uglies' With McG Directing". Deadline. Retrieved March 13, 2023.
  15. ^ Grobar, Matt (January 4, 2024). "'Flight Risk': Topher Grace & Michelle Dockery Join Mark Wahlberg In Mel Gibson-Helmed Lionsgate Thriller". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
  16. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (May 20, 2024). "Lionsgate Dates Dave Bautista & Mark Wahlberg Movies For Fall; Gerard Butler's 'Den Of Thieves: Pantera' For 2025". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  17. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (October 22, 2024). "Marvel Studios' 'Blade' Removed From 2025 Release Schedule, Disney Dates 'Predator: Badlands' Instead". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 22, 2024. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
  18. ^ Fleming Jr, Mike (March 29, 2023). "Amazon Studios Wins 'The Pick Up' Package In 7-Figure Deal; Eddie Murphy Eyeing Star Role & Tim Story To Direct Kevin Burrows-Matt Mider Spec". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
  19. ^ Borys Kit (September 11, 2012). "'All of Me' Remake in the Works at DreamWorks". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
  20. ^ Justin Kroll (October 30, 2013). "Universal Turning 1970s Series 'It Takes a Thief' into Film (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
  21. ^ Shanfeld, Ethan (14 October 2024). "Hugh Jackman, Kate Hudson to Star in 'Song Sung Blue' Musical Film About Neil Diamond Tribute Band". Variety. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
  22. ^ Matt Grobar (September 22, 2021). "'Summertime': Will Smith Song In Works As Screen Gems Musical Feature From Westbrook Studios & Davis Entertainment". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  23. ^ Mike Fleming Jr. (March 31, 2022). "Eddie Murphy To Play Godfather Of Funk George Clinton In Biopic". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  24. ^ Keegan, Prosser (August 1, 2021). "Jungle Cruise: Dwayne Johnson Meeting With Disney to Discuss Sequel". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on August 2, 2021. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
  25. ^ Kit, Borys (August 30, 2021). "'Jungle Cruise' Sequel in the Works at Disney (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on August 30, 2021. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
  26. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (March 23, 2023). "Paramount Sets Remake Of Hitchcock's 'Vertigo' As Potential Robert Downey Jr-Starrer; Steven Knight To Write Script & Davis Entertainment To Produce With Team Downey". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  27. ^ Reich, Kenneth (March 3, 1997). "Mammoth Area Avoids Fallout From 'Volcano'". Los Angeles Times. Vol. CXVI, no. 90 (Valley ed.). pp. F9, F15 – via Newspapers.com. Note - Link to second part of the article.
  28. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (15 September 2015). "'Behind Enemy Lines' Series Adaptation Of Movie Thriller Set At Fox As Put Pilot". Deadline. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
  29. ^ Andreeva, Nellie; Petski, Denise (January 22, 2020). "NBC Picks Up Drama Pilots 'At That Age' & 'Echo'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 9, 2020.

Further reading

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