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Paramount has appointed former New Line Cinema director Daria Cercek and former 20th century studio director Michael Ireland as co-chairs, under the leadership of Emma Watts, president of Paramount Pictures Motion Picture Group. Ireland joined the studio at the end of November and Cercek will take office on January 11.
Deadline first announced in November that Ireland was in line for the job, along with news that Jeremy Kramer would be leading Paramount Players.
As co-chairs of Paramount Pictures, Cercek and Ireland will work alongside Watts to oversee the studio’s slate and film operations, from development to production, including high-profile upcoming projects as the final movie of the Transformers and Star Trek franchises, Lost City of D, and a sequel to the hit Sonic the hedgehog among others.
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“I am delighted to be working with Daria and Mike again. The key to success is having the right team, and after watching Daria and Mike grow over the years, I have no doubts that their creativity, enthusiasm and extensive relationship with talent will be a huge boon to Paramount, ”a Watts said. “They passionately believe in people and projects that make better movies.”
Cercek joins Paramount from New Line, where she served as Vice President of Production and Development. In her role, she has overseen a wide range of projects including Olivia Wilde’s upcoming film Don’t worry darling (with Florence Pugh, Harry Styles, Chris Pine and Olivia Wilde).
“I am absolutely delighted to join the amazing team at Paramount and to work again with some of my most esteemed and loved friends and colleagues,” Cercek said. “It’s truly an honor to play this role alongside Mike in such a historic studio and to carry on the legacy of making top-notch films with world-class talent.”
Cercek was previously SVP Production and Development at 20th Century Fox (now 20th Century Studios), having risen through the ranks after starting as a creative executive in 2010. During her eight years there, she oversaw films such as The heat, the other woman and Spy, as well as the last three films of X Men franchise. She was previously an executive for Scott Stuber when he had his production company at Universal, and before that worked for Paula Wagner during her time as CEO of United Artists.
She began her career as a literary assistant with William Morris in New York City before joining CAA’s Cinematic Lighting Department.
Ireland, who received a screenwriting degree from USC, began his career as a network manager at MTV in 2003. He joined Leonardo DiCaprio’s production company Appian Way in 2007, where he helped develop projects, in particular the wolf of Wall Street. He left Appian Way to join 20th Century Fox in 2012, where he was most recently SVP Production and oversaw a series of big budget films, including upcoming action comedy Ryan Reynolds. Free Guy.
“I wanted to avoid saying that I’m thrilled and excited because that’s what everyone says, but I’m really thrilled and excited to see Emma, Jim [Gianopulos, chairman and CEO of Paramount Pictures] and Daria at Paramount, ”Ireland said. “Like the studio itself, they’re used to embracing big ideas and taking risks on new talent. I couldn’t ask for anything more. I feel at home.
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