Female former Obama aide bids to buy out The Weinstein Co. and make it women-led

Studio was behind The Artist, Carol, Silver Linings Playbook and more

It has been speculated by many that The Weinstein Company would be shut down and/or file for bankruptcy following the collapse of its leadership in the Hollywood sexual abuse scandal, but Deadline is reporting that an unlikely potential white knight has come to its aide.

Maria Contreras-Sweet, who headed up the Small Business Administration under President Barack Obama, has submitted the first bid for the studio.

The Wall Street Journal obtained a letter outlining the bid to the Weinstein Co. board of directors - it did not disclose the sum or the names of the financial backers, though WSJ claims the majority are female.

Contreras-Sweet said that she has been "profoundly affected by the recent revelations" and that "reorganizing the Company as a woman-led venture will be an inspiration to the industry, and a new model for how an entertainment company can be both financially successful and treat all its employees with dignity and respect."

Contreras-Sweet thanks members of the audience as Obama speaks during her Administrator of the Small Business Administration swearing-in ceremony in Washington, DC in 2014. (Getty)

If successful in her bid, Contreras-Sweet intends to be executive chairwoman of a majority-female board and will rename the company.

Such a bold rebranding and choice of leadership might be the best way forward for the company, though A&E Networks, Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. and Metro Goldwyn-Mayer Inc are also thought to be replacing deals.

The Weinstein Co. has produced and distributed films including The Hateful Eight, Macbeth, Carol, Paddington, Django Unchained, Silver Linings Playbook, The Master, The Artist and The King's Speech.

It has disputed the assertion that it will only be able to sell its assets if it goes through a bankruptcy organisation, while Harvey Weinstein has denied allegations of non-consensual sex levied against him.

(via Deadline)