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Tyler Perry Empire to Expand

Actor. Producer. Writer. Director. Playwright. Those roles festoon the resume of Tyler Perry. He is about to add "studio complex owner" to his list of deals and duties, with plans to open Tyler Perry Studios this October. The complex will be located on a 28-acre property outside of Atlanta, and Perry completely financed the facility himself. Perry owns the property, which includes five soundstages, a back lot, and 200,000 square feet of office space. Perry, a native Georgian, will contribute to feeding the local economy and enjoy the benefits of the city's 30% tax break for local film shoots. It's a risky move to house the complex far away from Hollywood's epicenter, but Perry continues to enjoy incredible success by playing against Tinseltown's rules.

Perry, who made an estimated $125 million last year, is attempting to expand beyond his role as an auteur among the black movie-going crowd, thanks to his films about the nuclear African-American family, by incorporating white lead characters into his films. As part of his new first-look deal with Lionsgate, Perry is hoping to develop the works of other filmmakers under his "Tyler Perry Presents" brand, which would widen Perry's scope beyond his patented, uber-successful formula.

—The ARTISTdirect Staff
08.27.08