Legion M

Legion M
TypePrivate
Industry
  • Entertainment
Founded2016; 10 years ago (2016)
Founder
ProductsMotion pictures, television, video games
Websitelegionm.com

Legion M (founded 2016) is an independent production company which makes films.

History

Legion M was co-founded by Paul Scanlan and Jeff Annison in March 2016. It is the world's first entertainment studio which "allows fans to invest in and participate in the creation of movies, television series, virtual reality experiences and entertainment content". This model became possible after the SEC passed Title IV of the JOBS Act which allowed non-accredited investors to invest in small businesses.

On August 14, 2016, Legion M closed its initial funding round with $1,000,000 from over 3,000 investors. It filed with the SEC to launch their 2nd funding round as a Reg A+ in March 2017. due to higher funding thresholds and attracting more investors. Later in 2024, the company raised $5 million from 15,000 individual investors.

In 2024, Legion M distributed its first film with the theatrical release of the documentary William Shatner: You Can Call Me Bill. Their next film, My Dead Friend Zoe, debuted at the 2023 SXSW Film Festival and won The Audience Award, Best Feature Narrative at the Woodstock Film Festival 2024, and several other addition festival awards. It was acquired by the distribution company, Briarcliff Entertainment, which released in February 28, 2025, to critical acclaim.

In July 2025, Legion M announced that it had surpassed 58,000 investors and raised more than $25 million in capital following the close of its tenth fundraising round.

Filmography

Legion M has produced, co-produced, funded, or distributed a number of films, including:

Title Release date Role(s) Notes
Colossal 2016 Release Partner Sci-fi meets personal drama
Bad Samaritan 2018 Release Partner Psychological thriller
Mandy 2018 Equity Investor (Film & Soundtrack), Merch & Licensing Starring Nicolas Cage
The Field Guide to Evil 2018 Equity Investor Horror anthology
Tolkien 2019 Release Partner Biopic on J. R. R. Tolkien
Memory: The Origins of Alien 2019 Distributor (w/ Screen Media), Merch & Licensing Exploration of Alien’s legacy
Jay and Silent Bob Reboot 2019 Equity Investor, Merch & Licensing Sequel to Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back
Save Yourselves! 2020 Release Partner, Merch & Licensing Sci-fi comedy about tech detox
Archenemy 2020 Executive Producer, Equity Investor (Film & Soundtrack), Merch & Licensing Indie superhero noir
I'm Your Man 2021 – Romantic sci-fi
Nandor Fodor and the Talking Mongoose 2023 Executive Producer, Equity Investor, Marketing Partner Based on a true story from the 1930s
This Is Not Financial Advice 2023 Executive Producer, Equity Investor, Marketing Partner About finance influencers
William Shatner: You Can Call Me Bill 2023 Producer, Financier William Shatner’s life and philosophy
My Dead Friend Zoe 2024 Producer, Financier Veteran drama with comedy twist
Fackham Hall 2025 Distributor, Financier, Marketing Partner (w/ Bleecker Street) Parody of period dramas

References

  1. ↑ Hayes, Dade (2024-09-05). "Legion M, Fan-Driven Backer Of Films Like SXSW Prize Winner 'My Dead Friend Zoe', Raises $5M From 15,000 Investors". Deadline. Retrieved 2025-05-21.
  2. 1 2 3 Lee, Abigail (2025-02-27). "Paul Scanlan, Legion M CEO and Co-Founder, on the Success of 'My Dead Friend Zoe'". Variety. Retrieved 2025-05-21.
  3. ↑ Spangler, Todd (2016-03-09). "Startup Legion M Launches Crowdfunded Studio That Lets Fans Buy Piece of Company". Variety. Retrieved 2016-05-01.
  4. ↑ Hersko, Tyler (3 August 2016). "Legion M, a fan-owned entertainment company, gives viewers a say for $7 a share". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2018-05-22.
  5. ↑ "Introducing "The World's First Fan-Owned Entertainment Company"". Co.Create. 2016-03-09. Retrieved 2016-05-01.
  6. ↑ "Fan-owned Legion M takes on the Hollywood studios". TheStreet. 19 April 2016. Retrieved 2016-05-01.
  7. ↑ "First Fan-Owned Studio Legion M Launches". Animation Magazine. 2016-03-09. Retrieved 2016-05-01.
  8. ↑ Lincoln, Ross (May 26, 2016). "Alamo Drafthouse & Legion M Partner On Genre Entertainment Development Stream". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Business Media, LLC. Retrieved September 2, 2016.
  9. ↑ Hurst, Samantha (August 15, 2016). "Legion M Closes Record-Setting $1M Wefunder Crowdfunding Round & Named Itself Most Popular Reg CF Company". www.crowdfundinsider.com. Crowdfund Insider. Retrieved September 2, 2016.
  10. ↑ "Legion M Launches SEC Qualified "mini-IPO" With REG A+ Investment Offering". www.prnewswire.com (Press release). Retrieved 2018-07-28.
  11. 1 2 Hayes, Dade (2024-09-05). "Legion M, Fan-Driven Backer Of Films Like SXSW Prize Winner 'My Dead Friend Zoe', Raises $5M From 15,000 Investors". Deadline. Retrieved 2026-06-19.
  12. ↑ White, Emilie (2025-06-20). "East Bay Filmmakers". Diablo Magazine. Retrieved 2026-06-19.
  13. ↑ Cruz, Olivia (2024-03-26). "2024 SXSW Film & TV Festival Audience Award Winners Announced". SXSW. Retrieved 2026-06-19.
  14. ↑ Grobar, Matt (2025-07-24). "Legion M Closes 10th Fundraising Round, Surpassing 58,000 Total Investors & $25M In Equity Crowdfunding". Deadline. Retrieved 2026-06-19.
  15. ↑ Cullins, Ashley (2025-11-11). "Film Crowdfunding 2.0: An Indie Studio Got 60,000 Fans to Invest $25 Million. How?". The Ankler. Retrieved 2026-06-19.
  16. ↑ Hayes, Dade (2018-12-12). "Legion M And Chicken Soup For The Soul Form Film And TV Partnership". Deadline. Retrieved 2018-12-12.
  17. ↑ "LEGION M'S SLATE OF PROJECTS". Retrieved 12 October 2024.
  18. ↑ Goodfellow, Melanie (September 7, 2023). "Hero Fiennes Tiffin, Thomasin McKenzie & Katherine Waterston To Lead Jimmy Carr-Penned Spoof 'Fackham Hall'; Veterans Launches Sales With Bleecker Street Aboard For U.S. – Toronto". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 16, 2024.