Screen Gems has a new leader.
Ashley Brucks has been named president of the Sony film division, best known for its lower-budgeted genre and comedy fare.
The exec, coming in from Paramount where she served as an exec vp at studio label Paramount Players, steps into the shoes worn by Steve Bersch, who stepped down last week and retired after a 16-year stint at Sony Pictures Entertainment.
Bersch oversaw several divisions, including faith-based Affirm Film, Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions and Screen Gems. Brucks, who begins her post Nov. 13, will only lead the latter and will report to motion picture group president Josh Greenstein and Sanford Panitch. (Affirm will continue to be run by Rich Peluso and Spwa will still be headed by Joe Matukewicz. Instead of reporting into Bersch, the pair will now report into Greenstein and Panitch.)
Brucks is coming in with plenty of genre experience. The 15-year Paramount...
Ashley Brucks has been named president of the Sony film division, best known for its lower-budgeted genre and comedy fare.
The exec, coming in from Paramount where she served as an exec vp at studio label Paramount Players, steps into the shoes worn by Steve Bersch, who stepped down last week and retired after a 16-year stint at Sony Pictures Entertainment.
Bersch oversaw several divisions, including faith-based Affirm Film, Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions and Screen Gems. Brucks, who begins her post Nov. 13, will only lead the latter and will report to motion picture group president Josh Greenstein and Sanford Panitch. (Affirm will continue to be run by Rich Peluso and Spwa will still be headed by Joe Matukewicz. Instead of reporting into Bersch, the pair will now report into Greenstein and Panitch.)
Brucks is coming in with plenty of genre experience. The 15-year Paramount...
- 9/28/2023
- by Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Steve Bersch will step down as the President of Screen Gems, TheWrap has learned. The 16-year Sony executive has opted not to renew his contract when it ends on Dec. 1. The reason for his departure is not known.
Screen Gems will now report to Josh Greenstein and Sanford Panitch jointly, including Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions under new president Joe Matukeqicz and Affirm Films under Rich Peluso. Sony will, in the coming months, share updates on Screen Gems’ leadership transition.
Bersch joined Sony Pictures as president of Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions in 2008 and added “President of Screen Gems” to his responsibilities in 2018. He will exit on a high note.
“Insidious: The Red Door” earned $188 million worldwide on an $18 million budget this summer, making the year’s top-grossing horror title thus far. The Patrick Wilson and Lin Shaye-starring supernatural franchise has earned $741 million on a combined $42.5 million budget. That makes it one of the most profitable,...
Screen Gems will now report to Josh Greenstein and Sanford Panitch jointly, including Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions under new president Joe Matukeqicz and Affirm Films under Rich Peluso. Sony will, in the coming months, share updates on Screen Gems’ leadership transition.
Bersch joined Sony Pictures as president of Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions in 2008 and added “President of Screen Gems” to his responsibilities in 2018. He will exit on a high note.
“Insidious: The Red Door” earned $188 million worldwide on an $18 million budget this summer, making the year’s top-grossing horror title thus far. The Patrick Wilson and Lin Shaye-starring supernatural franchise has earned $741 million on a combined $42.5 million budget. That makes it one of the most profitable,...
- 9/15/2023
- by Scott Mendelson
- The Wrap
Sony film division Screen Gems, best known for its lower-budgeted genre and comedy fare, is getting a shake-up.
Steve Bersch, the division’s president, is stepping down and retiring after a 16-year stint at Sony Pictures Entertainment. Scott Strauss, executive vp of production and development, is taking the moment to exit as well.
Sony Motion Picture Group chair Tom Rothman made the announcement in an email Friday, writing, “Despite my best efforts to persuade him otherwise, Steve Bersch has decided to step down from his role as President, Screen Gems, when his contract ends on December 1st. After nearly 16 years of distinguished service to Spe, and decades more in the business overall, Steve wants to pursue other life adventures – the lucky son of a gun!”
It is unclear who will be named to lead the division or if it will be merged with Sony’s other film divisions.
Bersch joined...
Steve Bersch, the division’s president, is stepping down and retiring after a 16-year stint at Sony Pictures Entertainment. Scott Strauss, executive vp of production and development, is taking the moment to exit as well.
Sony Motion Picture Group chair Tom Rothman made the announcement in an email Friday, writing, “Despite my best efforts to persuade him otherwise, Steve Bersch has decided to step down from his role as President, Screen Gems, when his contract ends on December 1st. After nearly 16 years of distinguished service to Spe, and decades more in the business overall, Steve wants to pursue other life adventures – the lucky son of a gun!”
It is unclear who will be named to lead the division or if it will be merged with Sony’s other film divisions.
Bersch joined...
- 9/15/2023
- by Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: After nearly 16 years on the Culver City, CA lot, Steve Bersch, President of Screen Gems, is departing Sony when his contract ends on Dec. 1.
We understand it’s a very amicable exit, and that the executive, who is going out on a high note with the highest grossing horror movie of the year, Insidious: The Red Door ($188.5M), is eyeing other pursuits after a long career in the motion picture business. As Sony Pictures Entertainment Motion Picture Group CEO and Chairman Tom Rothman says in his note to staff below, he tried to convince Bersch to stay.
Deadline also understands that Scott Strauss, EVP of Production for Screen Gems, will also be exiting when Bersch departs.
That box office result for Insidious: Red Door also repped the record for the $730M grossing franchise, one which Bersch has been with since Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions Group bought North American rights...
We understand it’s a very amicable exit, and that the executive, who is going out on a high note with the highest grossing horror movie of the year, Insidious: The Red Door ($188.5M), is eyeing other pursuits after a long career in the motion picture business. As Sony Pictures Entertainment Motion Picture Group CEO and Chairman Tom Rothman says in his note to staff below, he tried to convince Bersch to stay.
Deadline also understands that Scott Strauss, EVP of Production for Screen Gems, will also be exiting when Bersch departs.
That box office result for Insidious: Red Door also repped the record for the $730M grossing franchise, one which Bersch has been with since Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions Group bought North American rights...
- 9/15/2023
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Jesús Colmenar has been tapped to direct thriller Sabine for Shawn Levy and Dan Levine’s 21 Laps.
Sabine follows a young female detective who learns that the serial killer she’s been tracking may be someone she should be protecting.
Philip Eisner and Gregg Hurwitz penned the screenplay and will executive produce.
Levy and Levine are set to produce with Emily Feher overseeing for 21 Laps, which recently closed a massive overall deal with Netflix, where Levy is currently in production on The Adam Project, starring Ryan Reynolds.
The project is set up at Screen Gems, with Steven Bersch, Scott Strauss and Michael Bitar overseeing for ...
Sabine follows a young female detective who learns that the serial killer she’s been tracking may be someone she should be protecting.
Philip Eisner and Gregg Hurwitz penned the screenplay and will executive produce.
Levy and Levine are set to produce with Emily Feher overseeing for 21 Laps, which recently closed a massive overall deal with Netflix, where Levy is currently in production on The Adam Project, starring Ryan Reynolds.
The project is set up at Screen Gems, with Steven Bersch, Scott Strauss and Michael Bitar overseeing for ...
- 1/26/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Jesús Colmenar has been tapped to direct thriller Sabine for Shawn Levy and Dan Levine’s 21 Laps.
Sabine follows a young female detective who learns that the serial killer she’s been tracking may be someone she should be protecting.
Philip Eisner and Gregg Hurwitz penned the screenplay and will executive produce.
Levy and Levine are set to produce with Emily Feher overseeing for 21 Laps, which recently closed a massive overall deal with Netflix, where Levy is currently in production on The Adam Project, starring Ryan Reynolds.
The project is set up at Screen Gems, with Steven Bersch, Scott Strauss and Michael Bitar overseeing for ...
Sabine follows a young female detective who learns that the serial killer she’s been tracking may be someone she should be protecting.
Philip Eisner and Gregg Hurwitz penned the screenplay and will executive produce.
Levy and Levine are set to produce with Emily Feher overseeing for 21 Laps, which recently closed a massive overall deal with Netflix, where Levy is currently in production on The Adam Project, starring Ryan Reynolds.
The project is set up at Screen Gems, with Steven Bersch, Scott Strauss and Michael Bitar overseeing for ...
- 1/26/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The first annual BlumFest kicked off today with several stars of upcoming Blumhouse films and TV shows sharing news about their projects. The event was hosted and moderated by Jacqueline Coley, editor at Rotten Tomatoes and kicked off with an introduction by Jason Blum.
Check it out below – its was super fun to watch and there was such exciting news for Horror fans!!
Check out Blumhouse’s YouTube channel (http://youtube.com/blumhouseproductions) and Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/blumhouse), and shop for BlumFest merchandise at https://shop.blumhouse.com/. #BlumFest2020
Here’s a rundown of everything announced today:
A new Insidious film – The fifth installment of Insidious, from Blumhouse, is moving forward. The film will be distributed globally by Sony Pictures. Patrick Wilson will make his directorial debut with the feature film. Scott Teems wrote the script based on a story by franchise co-creator Leigh Whannell. Ty Simpkins...
Check it out below – its was super fun to watch and there was such exciting news for Horror fans!!
Check out Blumhouse’s YouTube channel (http://youtube.com/blumhouseproductions) and Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/blumhouse), and shop for BlumFest merchandise at https://shop.blumhouse.com/. #BlumFest2020
Here’s a rundown of everything announced today:
A new Insidious film – The fifth installment of Insidious, from Blumhouse, is moving forward. The film will be distributed globally by Sony Pictures. Patrick Wilson will make his directorial debut with the feature film. Scott Teems wrote the script based on a story by franchise co-creator Leigh Whannell. Ty Simpkins...
- 10/29/2020
- by Michelle Hannett
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
At Blumhouse first inaugural BlumFest today, the fifth installment of the studio’s horror franchise Insidious was announced with the series actor Patrick Wilson making his feature directorial debut and star in the film alongside Ty Simpkins. The fifthquel will be distributed worldwide by Sony Pictures. Through four movies, the Insidious series has racked up $542.4M at the WW box office.
Scott Teems wrote the script based on a story by franchise co-creator Leigh Whannell.
The film will pick up with the Lamberts 10 years after the last installment, as Dalton (Simpkins) begins college.
“I’m honored and thrilled to be at the helm of the next Insidious installment, which will provide an amazing chance to unpack everything the Lamberts went through a decade ago, as well as deal with the consequences of their choices. Directing the movie is both professionally and personally a full circle moment for me, and I...
Scott Teems wrote the script based on a story by franchise co-creator Leigh Whannell.
The film will pick up with the Lamberts 10 years after the last installment, as Dalton (Simpkins) begins college.
“I’m honored and thrilled to be at the helm of the next Insidious installment, which will provide an amazing chance to unpack everything the Lamberts went through a decade ago, as well as deal with the consequences of their choices. Directing the movie is both professionally and personally a full circle moment for me, and I...
- 10/29/2020
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Screen Gems, the genre label under Sony Pictures, is partnering with management and production company Ground Control to open the Screen Gems’ Horror Lab, an initiative that will focus on the development and production of horror genre proof-of-concepts. The program aims to collaborate with burgeoning filmmakers to produce horror shorts with the primary goal of developing new, original content into feature films.
“We envision the Horror Lab as another step in the evolution of our label as a leading genre supplier,” said Screen Gems head Steve Bersch. “We pride ourselves on supporting next generation creatives and see this as another way to bring exciting new talent and ideas to global audiences.”
Ground Control founder Scott Glassgold will serve as a producer on the proof-of-concepts and prospective feature adaptations, while Scott Strauss and Michael Bitar will oversee the program for the studio.
Known for setting up shorts to film adaptations,...
“We envision the Horror Lab as another step in the evolution of our label as a leading genre supplier,” said Screen Gems head Steve Bersch. “We pride ourselves on supporting next generation creatives and see this as another way to bring exciting new talent and ideas to global audiences.”
Ground Control founder Scott Glassgold will serve as a producer on the proof-of-concepts and prospective feature adaptations, while Scott Strauss and Michael Bitar will oversee the program for the studio.
Known for setting up shorts to film adaptations,...
- 4/9/2019
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Screen Gems is developing a feature adaptation of Edwin F. Becker’s book True Haunting which The Call scribe Richard D’Ovidio is writing.
Cindy Cowan has optioned the book, and will produce with Steve Bersch and Scott Strauss overseeing the project. Screen Gems’ Brian Dukes will oversee for the studio.
True Haunting is the terrifying true story of the first televised exorcism on NBC in 1971. Millions around the country watched the program. The NBC news segment was a success, the exorcism was not. Instead, it made things worse for the Becker family who lived there. Much worse.
D’Ovidio (pictured above) is best known for writing The Call starring Halle Berry and The Forger with John Travolta and Christopher Plummer. He also wrote the spec script for Eye In The Sky which sold to Millennium Films in 2015 with Simon West directing.
Cowan (pictured above) has produced several films...
Cindy Cowan has optioned the book, and will produce with Steve Bersch and Scott Strauss overseeing the project. Screen Gems’ Brian Dukes will oversee for the studio.
True Haunting is the terrifying true story of the first televised exorcism on NBC in 1971. Millions around the country watched the program. The NBC news segment was a success, the exorcism was not. Instead, it made things worse for the Becker family who lived there. Much worse.
D’Ovidio (pictured above) is best known for writing The Call starring Halle Berry and The Forger with John Travolta and Christopher Plummer. He also wrote the spec script for Eye In The Sky which sold to Millennium Films in 2015 with Simon West directing.
Cowan (pictured above) has produced several films...
- 1/31/2019
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Sony Pictures is doing some shuffling of their titles for the rest of the year which includes James Gunn’s newly titled horror BrightBurn which will now be released on May 24, 2019, instead of its original Nov. 30 release date.
The news of the new release date for BrightBurn comes after James Gunn took a break from the public eye after he was fired from the forthcoming Guardians of the Galaxy sequel for offensive tweets that resurfaced. He was originally supposed to present BrightBurn at Comic-Con (which was untitled at the time) in July but decided not to attend in wake of the scandal.
In addition to the news about BrightBurn, Sony decided to put another one of their horror projects The Possession of Hannah Grace (formerly known as Cadaver) in the Nov. 30 release date originally held by BrightBurn. The Will Ferrell Sherlock Holmes comedy Holmes & Watson will hit theaters on Dec.
The news of the new release date for BrightBurn comes after James Gunn took a break from the public eye after he was fired from the forthcoming Guardians of the Galaxy sequel for offensive tweets that resurfaced. He was originally supposed to present BrightBurn at Comic-Con (which was untitled at the time) in July but decided not to attend in wake of the scandal.
In addition to the news about BrightBurn, Sony decided to put another one of their horror projects The Possession of Hannah Grace (formerly known as Cadaver) in the Nov. 30 release date originally held by BrightBurn. The Will Ferrell Sherlock Holmes comedy Holmes & Watson will hit theaters on Dec.
- 10/9/2018
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Sony Pictures is moving forward with Jagged Edge, the thriller being crafted for Halle Berry to play the heroine lawyer role originated by Glenn Close in the 1985 hit. The studio has hired Melissa London Hilfers to write the script, and Doug Belgrad’s 2.0 Entertainment banner has been set to co-finance the film. Belgrad is producing with Matti Leshem.
Scott Strauss is supervising for the studio. Creative Executive Michael Bitar is also working on the project.
The project was set up in April by Steven Bersch, the Sony Worldwide Acquisitions Group head who took over the genre arm Screen Gems. They haven’t figured out which arm will release it, but it’s a priority project. Hilfers sold her spec Unfit to Amazon Studios as a potential vehicle for Dakota Johnson, a fact-based tale about Carrie Buck, a young Virginia woman who became a lightning rod for the movement to...
Scott Strauss is supervising for the studio. Creative Executive Michael Bitar is also working on the project.
The project was set up in April by Steven Bersch, the Sony Worldwide Acquisitions Group head who took over the genre arm Screen Gems. They haven’t figured out which arm will release it, but it’s a priority project. Hilfers sold her spec Unfit to Amazon Studios as a potential vehicle for Dakota Johnson, a fact-based tale about Carrie Buck, a young Virginia woman who became a lightning rod for the movement to...
- 7/17/2018
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Sony’s Screen Gems has closed a mid-seven-figure worldwide rights deal at Cannes for The Intruder, a Deon Taylor-directed thriller that stars Dennis Quaid, Meaghan Good, Michael Ealy and Joseph Sikora (Power). It marks the first acquisition for Steven Bersch since he took over the genre label, and the minimum guarantee comes with a wide release commitment and P&A.
David Loughery wrote the script, and the picture completed production under the title Motivated Seller. Screen Gems senior exec Eric Paquette brought it in and is overseeing it.
The Intruder is produced by Hidden Empire Film Group, the production company backed by Robert F. Smith, the former chemical engineer and investment banker who is the founder, chairman and CEO of the private-equity firm Vista Equity Partners. Smith has been with Taylor since the start of the filmmaker’s career, as exec producer of his early films Dead Tone,...
David Loughery wrote the script, and the picture completed production under the title Motivated Seller. Screen Gems senior exec Eric Paquette brought it in and is overseeing it.
The Intruder is produced by Hidden Empire Film Group, the production company backed by Robert F. Smith, the former chemical engineer and investment banker who is the founder, chairman and CEO of the private-equity firm Vista Equity Partners. Smith has been with Taylor since the start of the filmmaker’s career, as exec producer of his early films Dead Tone,...
- 5/14/2018
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Sony Pictures are looking to remake the 1985 Jagged Edge as a vehicle for Halle Berry. Although development on the project is still in its fledgling stages, Sony have made the project a priority and are on the hunt for a scribe.
The decision to remake the thriller was that of Steven Bersch, Head of Sony’s Worldwide Acquisitions Group. Details are still to be worked out on how to move the project forward, but Sony has made it clear this is one project they want to put into motion.
Also in the news – Adam Driver and Jon Hamm in talks to join CIA thriller The Torture Report
The 1985 original focused on the brutal murder of a San Francisco heiress. The murdered heiress handsome newspaper publisher husband Jack was accused of committing the gruesome crime. He hires the lawyer, Teddy Barnes to defend him, and their chemistry spills into an affair.
The decision to remake the thriller was that of Steven Bersch, Head of Sony’s Worldwide Acquisitions Group. Details are still to be worked out on how to move the project forward, but Sony has made it clear this is one project they want to put into motion.
Also in the news – Adam Driver and Jon Hamm in talks to join CIA thriller The Torture Report
The 1985 original focused on the brutal murder of a San Francisco heiress. The murdered heiress handsome newspaper publisher husband Jack was accused of committing the gruesome crime. He hires the lawyer, Teddy Barnes to defend him, and their chemistry spills into an affair.
- 4/10/2018
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
In today’s film news roundup, Sony’s working on a “Jagged Edge” remake with Halle Berry, Al Sapienza is playing the brother to Tom Hardy’s Al Capone and MoviePass partners with Flix Brewhouse.
Castings
Halle Berry will star in a remake of courtroom thriller “Jagged Edge” for Sony Pictures in a project that’s in the early stages of development with Matti Leshem and Doug Belgrad producing.
Sony had no comment. Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions topper Steven Bersch and Scott Strauss are supervising.
The original 1985 thriller “Jagged Edge” starred Glenn Close and Jeff Bridges and involved Bridges’ publisher character being accused of murdering his heiress wife. Close portrayed the lawyer for Bridges character and Robert Loggia was nominated for an Oscar for his role as a private detective.
Berry is represented by Wme and Management 360 and appeared in last year’s “Kingsman: the Golden Circle” and the thriller “Kidnap.
Castings
Halle Berry will star in a remake of courtroom thriller “Jagged Edge” for Sony Pictures in a project that’s in the early stages of development with Matti Leshem and Doug Belgrad producing.
Sony had no comment. Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions topper Steven Bersch and Scott Strauss are supervising.
The original 1985 thriller “Jagged Edge” starred Glenn Close and Jeff Bridges and involved Bridges’ publisher character being accused of murdering his heiress wife. Close portrayed the lawyer for Bridges character and Robert Loggia was nominated for an Oscar for his role as a private detective.
Berry is represented by Wme and Management 360 and appeared in last year’s “Kingsman: the Golden Circle” and the thriller “Kidnap.
- 4/7/2018
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
According to a report posted by Deadline Hollywood, Sony Pictures is busy manipulating stars, in the hope that, once they've aligned, a remake of the 1985 thriller Jagged Edge starring Halle Berry can come to light. The article states that Steven Bersch, the Sony Worldwide Acquisitions Group leader who now presides over the studio's Screen Gems banner, is the one who's trying to make... Read More...
- 4/6/2018
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
Exclusive: Sony Pictures is in the early stages of mounting a remake of the 1985 thriller Jagged Edge, as a star vehicle for Halle Berry. The effort is being led by Steven Bersch, the Sony Worldwide Acquisitions Group head who took over the genre arm Screen Gems. This one could very well be a standard Sony release, but they’re still working that out. The project is a priority and the studio has begun the search for the right writer to draft the new version.
Matti Leshem and Doug Belgrad will produce it. Scott Strauss will oversee for the studio.
Directed by Richard Marquand from a Joe Eszterhas script, the original starred Glenn Close, Jeff Bridges and Robert Loggia, latter of whom got an Oscar nomination. In the original, a San Francisco heiress is brutally murdered in her remote beach house. Her dashing newspaper publisher husband Jack is accused of committing the gruesome crime.
Matti Leshem and Doug Belgrad will produce it. Scott Strauss will oversee for the studio.
Directed by Richard Marquand from a Joe Eszterhas script, the original starred Glenn Close, Jeff Bridges and Robert Loggia, latter of whom got an Oscar nomination. In the original, a San Francisco heiress is brutally murdered in her remote beach house. Her dashing newspaper publisher husband Jack is accused of committing the gruesome crime.
- 4/6/2018
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Sony Pictures has elevated two executives, Michael Helfand and Joe Matukewicz, as co-heads of Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions and its low-budget label Studio 6. Helfand and Matukewicz will report to Steve Bersch, who remains president of the unit and was tapped to lead Sony label Screen Gems in February after longtime executive Clint Culpepper stepped down. The pair will handle day-to-day in addition to producing indie titles and rolling out international films. “Together, Michael and Joe have been driving forces behind the divisions’ most successful and anticipated titles including: Fede Alvarez’s hit thriller ‘Don’t Breathe,’ the ‘Insidious’ franchise Angela Robinson’s...
- 3/16/2018
- by Matt Donnelly
- The Wrap
It’s an impressive stat that comes with a small asterisk: Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions president Steve Bersch, 61, runs the most profitable division within the studio. The caveat is that with just 20 employees, Spwa doesn’t carry the same overhead as, say, Columbia Pictures, given that it is not a releasing entity. Still, during his 10-year stint, Spwa boasts films such as Arrival, the Insidious franchise, Spotlight, Whiplash, Foxcatcher, Don’t Breathe and the upcoming Tom Hanks-starring Greyhound. On Jan. 19, Bersch’s purview expanded even further when he took the reins of Screen Gems following the announcement that Clint Culpepper was...
- 2/8/2018
- by Tatiana Siegel
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Sony Pictures has just announced that Clint Culpepper is out at Screen Gems, and Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions chief Steve Bersch will now head both divisions and become head of the genre arm. Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group chairman Tom Rothman announced it internally (see the email below). The exit comes after underwhelming results on the Taraji P. Henson-action film Proud Mary, but it had been in the works for a while as Culpepper’s contract was expiring. It…...
- 1/19/2018
- Deadline
Joe Matukewicz, most recently head of acquisitions at Relativity Media, has joined Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions as Svp Acquisitions. He’ll report to Spwa president Steven Bersch and oversee all acquisitions for the division. Spwa in 2011 acquired or produced numerous successful films including Soul Surfer, Insidious, Jumping The Broom, Courageous, The Raid, and Colombiana. It will continue to be responsible for providing content for all of Spe’s distribution channels, including theatrical, home entertainment, television and digital. “We are thrilled to have Joe join us in this key role,” Bersch said. “His experience and taste will be vital as we continue to increasingly ramp up our acquisitions activities, and work to bring more great product into Sony.” Matukewicz had been senior veep and Head of Worldwide Acquisitions at Relativity Media. Prior to that, he was VP Acquisitions and Co-Productions at Paramount Vantage and Director of Acquisitions and Co-Productions at Paramount Classics.
- 12/5/2011
- by MIKE FLEMING
- Deadline
Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions Groups has gone galactic.
The studio acquisitions arm has picked up the U.S. distribution rights to the animated family film "Planet 51," scheduling it for a Nov. 20, 2009, release through its TriStar Pictures label.
Produced by HandMade Films International and Ilion Animation Studios Film, "Planet" is an alien adventure about an Earth astronaut (voiced by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson) who lands on Planet 51, thinking he's first to set foot on it only to discover "little green people" who live in a white picket-fence community reminiscent of 1950s America. Their only fear is being overrun by alien invaders like the astronaut.
Jessica Biel, Gary Oldman, Justin Long, John Cleese and Seann William Scott also have voice roles.
Jorge Blanco directed the CGI tale with co-directors Marcos Martinez and Javier Abad from a script by Joe Stillman ("Shrek," "Shrek 2").
Ilion's Ignacio Perez Dolset and HandMade's Guy Collins produced the film, with Peter D. Graves, Michael Ryan and Jose A. Rodriguez executive producing.
"With 'Planet 51,' Ignacio and his very talented team have created an original and entertaining family film featuring an outstanding cast," Spwag president Steven Bersch said.
London-based HandMade will handle the worldwide sales on the film. A "Planet 51" video game also is in development from Ilion, set for a worldwide day-and-date release with the film.
The studio acquisitions arm has picked up the U.S. distribution rights to the animated family film "Planet 51," scheduling it for a Nov. 20, 2009, release through its TriStar Pictures label.
Produced by HandMade Films International and Ilion Animation Studios Film, "Planet" is an alien adventure about an Earth astronaut (voiced by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson) who lands on Planet 51, thinking he's first to set foot on it only to discover "little green people" who live in a white picket-fence community reminiscent of 1950s America. Their only fear is being overrun by alien invaders like the astronaut.
Jessica Biel, Gary Oldman, Justin Long, John Cleese and Seann William Scott also have voice roles.
Jorge Blanco directed the CGI tale with co-directors Marcos Martinez and Javier Abad from a script by Joe Stillman ("Shrek," "Shrek 2").
Ilion's Ignacio Perez Dolset and HandMade's Guy Collins produced the film, with Peter D. Graves, Michael Ryan and Jose A. Rodriguez executive producing.
"With 'Planet 51,' Ignacio and his very talented team have created an original and entertaining family film featuring an outstanding cast," Spwag president Steven Bersch said.
London-based HandMade will handle the worldwide sales on the film. A "Planet 51" video game also is in development from Ilion, set for a worldwide day-and-date release with the film.
- 7/8/2008
- by By Leslie Simmons
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions Group continued its executive shuffle Wednesday with the promotion of Scott Shooman to the newly created position of vp acquisitions and productions.
Shooman, who has been executive director of the division, will report to SPWAG president Steven Bersch on the production end and senior vp acquisitions Lara Thompson for acquisitions-related business.
Shooman's promotion comes on the heels of SPWAG bringing aboard Bersch as president of the division, which acquires, co-finances, produces and co-produces pictures. Bersch replaced Peter Schlessel, who was named head of worldwide affairs at Sony Pictures.
Bersch said Shooman's "savvy production and business skills have been key elements in our business strategy and will become even more crucial as we ramp up third-party and Stage 6 Films projects."
In October, SPWAG launched the Stage 6 label to distribute 10-15 films per year with budgets of $10 million or less. Shooman recently supervised production on the Stage 6 film "The Dark Country" as well as "Screamers 2".
He recently brokered and negotiated the acquisition of rights to the upcoming thriller "Tortured", starring Laurence Fishburne and Cole Hauser.
Shooman, who has been executive director of the division, will report to SPWAG president Steven Bersch on the production end and senior vp acquisitions Lara Thompson for acquisitions-related business.
Shooman's promotion comes on the heels of SPWAG bringing aboard Bersch as president of the division, which acquires, co-finances, produces and co-produces pictures. Bersch replaced Peter Schlessel, who was named head of worldwide affairs at Sony Pictures.
Bersch said Shooman's "savvy production and business skills have been key elements in our business strategy and will become even more crucial as we ramp up third-party and Stage 6 Films projects."
In October, SPWAG launched the Stage 6 label to distribute 10-15 films per year with budgets of $10 million or less. Shooman recently supervised production on the Stage 6 film "The Dark Country" as well as "Screamers 2".
He recently brokered and negotiated the acquisition of rights to the upcoming thriller "Tortured", starring Laurence Fishburne and Cole Hauser.
- 3/26/2008
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Steven Bersch has taken the reins as president of Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions Group. He replaces Peter Schlessel, who last week was named head of worldwide affairs at the Culver City-based studio.
Bersch comes from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment, where he was COO. In his new position, he will report to Schlessel and oversee SPWAG's program of acquiring, co-financing, producing and co-producing pictures for diverse Sony Pictures distribution platforms, including TV, film, home entertainment and digital.
In recent years, the arm picked up "We Own the Night" at Cannes, which was distributed in the U.S. by Columbia Pictures; "Southland Tales", distributed by Samuel Goldwyn Films; and the Japanese animated mystery "Paprika", through Sony Pictures Classics.
"You're not confined by any divisional constraints or business model," Bersch said Thursday of the SPWAG operation. "The goal is to adapt and utilize various distribution mediums for each film."
Bersch started his career as an entertainment attorney and has held executive positions at Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros. and MGM/UA.
Bersch comes from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment, where he was COO. In his new position, he will report to Schlessel and oversee SPWAG's program of acquiring, co-financing, producing and co-producing pictures for diverse Sony Pictures distribution platforms, including TV, film, home entertainment and digital.
In recent years, the arm picked up "We Own the Night" at Cannes, which was distributed in the U.S. by Columbia Pictures; "Southland Tales", distributed by Samuel Goldwyn Films; and the Japanese animated mystery "Paprika", through Sony Pictures Classics.
"You're not confined by any divisional constraints or business model," Bersch said Thursday of the SPWAG operation. "The goal is to adapt and utilize various distribution mediums for each film."
Bersch started his career as an entertainment attorney and has held executive positions at Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros. and MGM/UA.
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