The Weinstein Co. may soon be turning the page to chapter 11, and sources close to the embattled Hollywood studio co-founded by Harvey Weinstein said yesterday that a deep-pocketed hedge fund will decide early next week whether to throw it a lifeline — or possibly let it file for bankruptcy, The New York Post reported yesterday. In addition to a $35 million bridge loan that would save the Weinstein Co. from going under, Fortress Investment Group is considering extending a debtor-in-possession loan in a prospective bankruptcy scenario, a source close to the situation said. Deadline.com reported Wednesday that Fortress, an investment firm, was on “the 1-yard line” about providing a loan that would keep Weinstein Co. afloat through the rest of the year. Other sources, however, called that characterization overly optimistic. On Wednesday, the Weinstein Co.’s exclusive talks to sell part or all of its business to Colony Capital, the fund controlled by billionaire Trump backer Thomas Barrack, ended without a deal. Sources note the Weinstein Co. was in bad financial shape well before last month, when co-founder Harvey Weinstein was accused of sexual harassment and worse by dozens of women.
