Starz Encore Climbs Into Movie Ring

Starz Encore executives say this weekend’s premiere of “Joe and Max,” about boxers Joe Louis and Max Schmeling, is more than just a special offering on the pay-cable service. The film marks the entrance of the network into the original cable movie arena currently dominated by HBO and Showtime.

Starz Encore, like those networks, shows theatrical movies with no commercials but has offered little original fare. Paige Orloff, vice president of original movies for Starz Encore, said that Starz will be selective in its development. “We’re not looking for volume. We’re not going to make a bunch of $3-million movies, so we won’t have the output of HBO or Showtime. We’re spending about $5 million to $8 million a movie, so we can tell filmmakers and the creative community we are interested in quality, not quantity.”

Orloff added that “Joe and Max,” which details the rivalry and ultimate friendship between the two boxers, is indicative of the kinds of movies Starz Encore is developing: “We want to develop a distinctive brand. We want to tell stories that have a cultural resonance,” she said.

The movie, which premieres Saturday at 8 p.m., stars Leonard Roberts as Louis and German star Til Schweiger as Max, and also features Richard Roundtree, Peta Wilson and David Paymer.

Starz Encore is not the only cable network diving into the original movie business. On Sunday, ESPN will air its first original movie, “A Season on the Brink,” about controversial basketball coach Bob Knight.