New Line’s Richard Brener is staying on as Toby Emmerich’s right-hand man and has been promoted to president of production. The move comes two weeks after Emmerich was appointed president and chief operating officer of the scaled-down mini-major. The 35-year-old Brener joined the company in 1995 as a temp and rose through the ranks to story editor and senior VP. He’s been serving as New Line’s No. 2 production exec after a promotion to senior exec VP-COO in early 2007. Emmerich has indicated that New Line will focus on creating niche films in the vein of “Wedding Crashers” and “Freddy vs. Jason” along with occasional tentpoles such as “The Hobbit.” Read More
Category: Studios
From Variety.com: In her first creative hire since becoming head of MGM’s worldwide motion picture group, Mary Parent has brought in New Line Cinema executive Cale Boyter as exec veep of production.
“Boyter became available following last month’s decision by Time Warner chief Jeffrey Bewkes to remove New Line co-toppers Bob Shaye and Michael Lynne, and reform New Line as a downsized mini-major that will make six to eight films per year with budgets under $50 million, along with “The Hobbit” and proposed sequels to “Wedding Crashers” and “Austin Powers.” …Though New Line vet Toby Emmerich signed on to run the new division under Warner Bros. aegis, New Line is expected to lose the majority of its 600 staff positions, and numerous creative executives have been taking meetings. It would not be surprising if others land at MGM.”
Has the floodgate opened on the creative talent of New Line? If yes, how does it affect production of “The Hobbit?” Thanks to Board Member Compa Mighty for the link
Toby Emmerich has been named President & COO, New Line Cinema and will lead its reorganization to become a stand-alone production entity as part of Warner Bros. Entertainment, it was announced today by Barry Meyer, Chairman & CEO, and Alan Horn, President & COO, Warner Bros.
“Toby has played a major part in New Line’s success over the last decade and helped define the company’s taste and style in movies,” said Horn. “Quite simply, he’s a great film executive. He’s highly respected, and he has solid relationships across the industry. Toby and New Line are both great additions to our Studio.”
Emmerich joined the company in 1992 as a dual development and music executive and most recently served as President of Production for New Line Cinema. Read More
From IMDB: At least 75 percent of New Line’s staff of 600 are likely to be fired in the coming months despite assurances by Time Warner chief Jeff Bewkes on Friday that he wants to retain as many New Line employees as possible, Daily Variety reported today (Monday), citing an “emerging consensus.” The trade publication said that New Line is also expected to shut down its offices in New York and its headquarters in West Hollywood, moving remaining operations to the Warner Bros. lot in Burbank. Speaking to New Line employees by satellite on Friday, Bewkes said that Co-Chairmen Bob Shaye and Michael Lynn are “still here,” but “for everyone’s sake, they need to step back from the process.”
Contrary to previous reports on IMDB there is “no truth” to the rumor that New Line Cinema’s Bob Shaye & Michael Lynne were being sacked, and all projects, including The Hobbit were moving completely over to the Warner Bros. camps. A New Line spokesperson stated via email to us today that the story was false, and they are seeking a correction on IMDB.
Elanor1013 writes: Bob Shaye and Michael Lynne have been awarded Variety’s top honor, Showmen of the Year, for 2004, and New Line’s production of LOTR features heavily–there is a whole special issue for the award, littered with LOTR references. Here are some scans from the issue, including an article about their websites which also mentions TORn. [More]