Originally founded by Bob and Harvey Weinstein in 1979 (named after their parents, Miriam and Max), the studio was sold to Disney in 1993. The brothers went on to form The Weinstein Company, which brought Broadway's Nine to the screen late last year. Miramax will now exist solely within the distribution arm of the Disney company. "I'm feeling very nostalgic right now," Harvey Weinstein said in a statement. "I know the movies made on my and my brother Bob's watch will live on, as well as the fantastic films made under the direction of Daniel Battsek. Miramax has some brilliant people working within the organization, and I know they will go on to do great things in the industry."
Variety reports that the Weinsteins are looking to buy Miramax back from Disney. Among the films still slated for release from Miramax include the Julie Taymor-helmed "The Tempest."
Notable Miramax films include "Shakespeare In Love," The English Patient," "Hamlet," "Finding Neverland," "sex, lies and videotape," "The Crying Game," "The Piano," "Pulp Fiction," "Il Postino," "Good Will Hunting," "Life Is Beautiful" and "Chocolat."