EXCLUSIVE: UK cinema chain Curzon will continue operating the Curzon Mayfair on a rolling basis, beyond its previously agreed exit date of January 2026.
Curzon has agreed with the landlord to remain in situ on a short-term, rolling basis.
The company has operated a cinema on the premises for around 90 years. It had been due to leave in January, with the landlord Fantasio, headed by Dan Zaum, to take over the cinema.
Zaum told Screen that Fantasio needed longer to prepare for the transition.
“As we have been progressing our plans for the cinema and the restaurant, some exciting designs have emerged from our interior architects which we are considering in the context of our existing planning and listed buildings consents,” said Zaum.
“We want to take our time to arrive at the most compelling cinematic and film venue for the current market with a programme of events to promote and support the film industry, as well as provide a best-in-class experience for the filmgoer.
”Whilst we complete this process, we are content to allow the existing operator to remain in occupation rather than closing the cinema earlier than needed.”
In May, Curzon announced it would withdraw from the site following an ongoing series of legal battles with Fantasio (previously known as 38 Curzon Lease).
Landlord’s plans
Speaking to Screen earlier this year, Zaum outlined plans for an ambitious £15m redevelopment of the Grade II listed property, to reopen in summer 2027. Zaum said he wanted to keep the cinema as two screens, revive some of the cinema’s original features and revamp the restaurant. He is taking inspiration from the Oma cinema in Paris, where seating is arranged in modular pods. He said he plans to show arthouse titles as well as blockbusters and will offer a platform for emerging filmmakers.
“The idea with the cinema is basically to disrupt the industry,” said Zaum. “At the moment, the industry is still sitting in its own shell, its own cocoon, it’s not opening and it’s not trying to attract.”
Zaum is also director of UK producer-financier Gold Rush Pictures, founded by Russian-Belgian property developer Vladimir Zemtsov in 2021. The company is producing Malgorzata Szumowska and Michal Englert’s The Idiots alongside Hype Studios, sold by The Match Factory. It has also optioned rights to books, including Douglas Thompson’s The Hustlers and The Night In Lisbon by All Quiet On The Western Front author Erich Maria Remarque, with the screenplay being written by Rebecca Lenkiewicz, andVictor Lustig by Christopher Sandford.
Gold Rush has previously backed projects including Brian Cox’s directorial debut Glenrothan, Kirill Serebrennikov’s Cannes 2025 title Disappearance and Jessica Hausner’s Cannes 2023 Competition title Club Zero. Lithuania-born former art curator Lota Dascioraite is creative director at Gold Rush.
Zaum said he also wants to build a media hub in Paris and is eyeing the acquisition of further cinemas.
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