Sony Pictures Animation heads Sandra Rabins and Penney Finkelman Cox have made the first executive hire for the newly created division. Nate Hopper, former VP of production at Twentieth Century Fox, has been named vice-president of creative affairs for Sony Pictures Animation. In his new position, Hopper will work closely with writers and directors in developing the company’s CG animated features. While at Twentieth Century Fox, Hopper supervised the production and development of the feature films BIG MOMMA’S HOUSE and BLACK KNIGHT, both starring Martin Lawrence, and HIGH CRIMES, starring Ashley Judd and Morgan Freeman. Most recently, he was responsible for the development on projects such as X-MEN 2 and ALIEN VS. PREDATOR. Hopper began his career as an agent trainee at United Talent Agency. "Nate Hopper is an extraordinarily gifted production executive," said Sandra Rabins. "He has a wonderful sense of story, a great sense of humor and a superb sensitivity for people and material. These qualities are essential ingredients for the kind of company we are building and the kind of films we will be making."