Studio's Acquisition of Drake and
Nathan Kahane's Good Universe Diversifies Film
Portfolio
SANTA MONICA, Calif. and
VANCOUVER, British Columbia,
Oct. 12, 2017 /CNW/ -- Global content
leader Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B) has named top film industry
executive Joe Drake Co-Chair of its Motion Picture Group, the
Company announced today. He will team with Motion Picture
Group Co-Chair Patrick Wachsberger,
who recently signed a new agreement with the Company, in running
Lionsgate's worldwide motion picture operations.
Good Universe cofounder and CEO Nathan
Kahane will continue to head Good Universe under Lionsgate
ownership. He will continue to oversee key talent partnerships
including Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg and James
Weaver's Point Grey Pictures (Neighbors, Sausage
Party, Flarsky) and horror maven Fede Alvarez's Bad Hombre (Don't Breathe,
Evil Dead).
"We're delighted to welcome Joe and Nathan, entrepreneurs with a
great track record, back to Lionsgate," said Lionsgate Chief
Executive Officer Jon Feltheimer and
Vice Chairman Michael Burns.
"Joe is one of the architects of our portfolio film strategy and a
perfect fit for our culture. With Joe joining an incredibly
talented group of executives, we've assembled a team with
unparalleled knowledge of the global film marketplace while at the
same time strengthening our relationships with best-in-class talent
and continuing the diversification of our content platform."
Before founding Good Universe in 2012, Drake served as Lionsgate
Co-COO and Motion Picture Group President for five years. He
and his team were responsible for launching the blockbuster
Hunger Games and Expendables franchises along with
hits including Kick Ass, 3:10 to Yuma, multiple Oscar
winner Precious and many of Lionsgate's Saw franchise
and Tyler Perry films.
At Good Universe, Drake and Kahane collaborated with Point Grey
on a series of highly successful and critically-acclaimed hits
including Neighbors, The Night Before, The Disaster
Artist and the upcoming comedy Flarsky starring
Charlize Theron and Rogen which
Point Grey is producing for Lionsgate. Drake also partnered
with Sam Raimi, Robert Tapert and Kahane in Ghost House
Pictures, a leader in the horror thriller genre with eight #1 box
office hits including Fede Alvarez's
breakout sensation Don't Breathe and Evil Dead.
Good Universe also produced the comedy hit Last Vegas for
CBS Films.
The deal was negotiated by Sheppard
Mullin, Richter & Hampton and Lionsgate Co-COO
Brian Goldsmith and General Counsel
& Chief Strategic Officer Wayne
Levin for Lionsgate. It was negotiated by O'Melveny
& Myers LLP and Good Universe's Michael
Meyer and Jeremy Needleman
for Good Universe.
ABOUT LIONSGATE
The first major new studio in decades, Lionsgate is a global
content platform whose films, television series, digital products
and linear and over-the-top platforms reach next generation
audiences around the world. In addition to its filmed
entertainment leadership, Lionsgate content drives a growing
presence in interactive and location-based entertainment, gaming,
virtual reality and other new entertainment technologies.
Lionsgate's content initiatives are backed by a 16,000-title film
and television library and delivered through a global licensing
infrastructure. The Lionsgate brand is synonymous with
original, daring and ground-breaking content created with special
emphasis on the evolving patterns and diverse composition of the
Company's worldwide consumer base.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Peter D. Wilkes
Lionsgate
(310) 255-3726
PWilkes@lionsgate.com
Cristina Castañeda
Lionsgate
(310) 255-5114
CCastaneda@lionsgate.com
View original content with
multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/leading-film-industry-executive-joe-drake-named-co-chair-of-lionsgate-motion-picture-group-300535407.html
SOURCE Lionsgate