Universal Pictures has confirmed that, beginning in October 2007, Christian Grass will become president of the studio's new international production arm at Universal Pictures International (UPI).
The new venture will expand upon its existing worldwide acquisitions and local production efforts to fund a diverse slate of internationally based stories and local language films. The division will be pivotal in supplying product for UPI and will focus its efforts outside North America and the U.K. It will also work to identify emerging talent and trends for the production groups at Universal Pictures, Focus Features and Rogue Pictures -- with whom Grass will coordinate closely. Grass will report to David Linde, chairman/co-chairman, Universal Pictures and to Michael Joe, evp, Universal Pictures.
As part of its continued expansion overseas, Universal has also concluded a groundbreaking deal with Russian director/producer Timur Bekmambetov and his Moscow-based production and visual effects company, Bazelevs Prods., to produce and direct both Russian- and English-language films for the local and global marketplace. Bekmambetov most recently directed the Russian fantasy action series NIGHT WATCH and DAY WATCH.
To handle the Russian marketing of pictures made with and acquired by Bekmambetov, Universal and Bekmambetov have created a theatrical marketing and releasing label, Bekmambetov Pictures, based in Moscow and distributed by Universal Pictures International. The first release from this partnership will be the Bekmambetov-directed action film WANTED, which is shooting in Prague for Universal and Universal-based Marc Platt Prods.
Bazelevs is creating the visual effects for WANTED, which is based upon Mark Millar's explosive graphic novel series and stars James McAvoy, Morgan Freeman and Angelina Jolie. The second Bekmambetov Pictures release, 9, is an animated feature in production for Focus Features; it is directed by Shane Acker and based on Acker's Academy Award-nominated short by the same title. Bekmambetov is one of the film's producers, along with Tim Burton and Jim Lemley. A third film, an untitled 3-D animated ballet feature, is currently in production in Russia, and a fourth film is in development at Universal.
"It is exciting to be able to give Russian films and filmmakers a wider audience through this deal with Universal Pictures International," said Bekmambetov. "We will be able to bring new voices to our own country and possibly introduce the rest of the world to Russian films and filmmakers. I'm really looking forward to this partnership with Universal, who have shown insight and leadership in creating new opportunities for international movies."
The Universal/Bekmambetov/Bazelevs deal marks Universal's second local production pact following its agreement with Fernando Mereilles and his 02 Filmes to develop and produce local Brazilian and Latin American films.
02 and Mereilles have identified the first film to be produced under the deal, ADRIFT, which is scheduled to go into production in Brazil this autumn. ADRIFT is a coming-of-age story written and to be directed by Heitor Dhalia, whose previous film, DRAINED, premiered at Sundance earlier this year.
Meirelles said, "Universal and Focus are not just companies with the global resources to properly handle the films I want to produce; they are companies with initiative and a true understanding of filmmakers' sensibilities. With their help, I can discover and encourage even more new Brazilian films and filmmakers."
Mereilles is in pre-production to direct and produce BLINDNESS for Focus Features International.
David Kosse, president of Universal Pictures International, commented, "I am thrilled to see us boosting our slate by putting more resources into the international production community and couldn't be happier that Christian is the guy leading this initiative."
Said Marc Shmuger and David Linde, "All this activity is a simple reflection of our absolute commitment to the global marketplace, both as a producer and distributor. "We are proud that Universal has been able to respond with an initiative that will support individual territories and link them together within a powerful and unique infrastructure. Our new organization will both support that proud tradition at a local level, and help prominent directors like these bring a new generation of filmmakers to global attention."
Added Michael Joe, "While Universal has created this initiative to support filmmakers from around the world, it also creates real business value for the studio. These local markets support local films for weeks or months at a time, generating revenue that sometimes outpaces hits that everyone around the world knows by name. Universal feels certain that by supporting localized production, we not only become the creative home for emerging talent from around the world, but also keep pace with the growing emphasis on revenue from non-American markets."
Grass will join Universal from 20th Century Fox International, where he is evp of Europe, Middle East and Africa. Grass oversees the theatrical distribution, sales and marketing operations for all Fox Filmed Ent. product in Europe, which also includes the films from Fox Searchlight. His responsibilities also include overseeing European co-productions and acquisitions as part of Fox Int'l's ongoing strategy to pursue local language films throughout the world.
Grass joined Fox International in February 1996 as vp of marketing for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. In 1999, he was promoted to svp of Europe, Middle East and Africa, taking over the theatrical supervisory role for the region.
Prior to joining Fox, Grass served as vp of international marketing for Miramax Int'l, where he supervised the marketing and publicity for all Miramax Int'l releases from pre-sales through to release in international markets. He moved to Miramax Int'l from the Munich-based CineVox Ent., where he was vp of worldwide marketing and distribution.
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