Disney and Universal rub shoulders with their benches



[ad_1]

LOS ANGELES – Two of the fiercest competitors in the film industry, Walt Disney Studios and Universal Pictures, have taken steps to strengthen Wednesday.

Alan F. Horn, 76, president of Disney's film division, which brings together Marvel, Pixar, Lucasfilm and 20th Century Fox, has agreed to extend his contract by an indeterminate number of years as part of An arrangement adding a title – Creative Director – and a partner. Alan Bergman, 53, president of the Disney film channel since 2005, has been promoted to co-chair.

They will both report to Robert A. Iger, managing director of the Walt Disney Company, who said the new management structure ensures that "we remain focused on creating extraordinary entertainment experiences for audiences around the world." whole. " Disney's latest movie, "Avengers: Endgame," arrived last weekend with a record $ 1.2 billion in ticket sales around the world.

Mr. Bergman's promotion positions him as a possible successor to Mr. Horn and reflects the additional responsibilities resulting from Disney's purchase of 21st Century Fox's assets. The $ 71.3 billion deal, which was signed in March, has added a lot to Horn's portfolio, including big-budget movies for Fox, such as upcoming "Avatar" movies, art films made by Fox Searchlight, and an animation studio.

Disney is also increasing the number of films made with its signature label, a result of the need for original content to fuel the upcoming society. Disney Plus streaming service.

Universal Pictures has announced that one of Hollywood's most powerful producers, Amy Pascal, 61, would move his production company to his fold. Ms. Pascal directed Sony Pictures for 11 years before becoming a Sony-based producer in 2015, following a cyberattack in the studio.

"We are fortunate to benefit from his extensive industry knowledge and unprecedented relationships," said Donna Langley, president of Universal Filmed Entertainment, in a statement. Universal, which hosts the franchises "Jurassic World" and "Fast and Furious," has carved a place in Hollywood as a studio focused on diversity. Universal's latest film, "Us," directed by Jordan Peele, has raised $ 250 million worldwide.

As part of its four-year contract with Sony, which expires, Ms. Pascal has defied all expectations. Former workshop leaders are rarely successful as producers, largely because the transition requires considerable deflation of the ego. But she began working on the ground, joining the production team of Sony's largest property – the Spider-Man series – and advanced smaller films like "The Post", which earned her Oscar nomination for best film in 2017

She produced "Spider-Man: In The Spider-Verse", which received the Oscar for Best Animated Film in February. Among Pascal's films are films like "Little Women", a remake of Sony directed by Greta Gerwig, and a sequel to "Venom", which raised $ 855 million worldwide last year.

Ms. Pascal will continue to produce "Spider-Man" movies for Sony.

[ad_2]

Source link