files/pictures/picture-35.jpgVeteran production exec Jon Gordon has been named president of production, Universal Pictures, joining recently named president of production Donna Langley. The two execs will work in tandem, overseeing the development and production of the studios motion pictures. Langley and Gordon will both report directly to Stacey Snider, chairman Universal Pictures. Gordon, who is currently co-president of production at Miramax Films, will start with Universal in October.
"By maintaining our production group's cohesion and momentum over the past few months, Donna has demonstrated her trademark sophistication and leadership. She has helped supervise our current projects and has assembled an upcoming line-up that is among our most distinguished and diversified ever," Snider noted. "We welcome Jon to Universal to build with Donna the kind of dynamic partnership that will give our slate even greater dimension and stability. Jon brings with him great energy, taste and experience. I am certain that, working together, he and Donna will enable Universal to retain its prominence as a top creative home for filmmakers and talent."
Gordon joined Miramax as an intern in 1990 and two years later began working as assistant to co-chairman Harvey Weinstein. In 1995 he was named director of production. From there Gordon rose steadily through the production exec ranks, serving as svp, evp and finally co-president, production, working alongside Meryl Poster.
Among the numerous projects he oversaw or exec produced at Miramax were FLIRTING WITH DISASTER, directed by David O. Russell; CHASING AMY, DOGMA, JAY & SILENT BOB STRIKE BACK and JERSEY GIRL, directed by Kevin Smith; GOOD WILL HUNTING, written by Oscar-winners Matt Damon and Ben Affleck and directed by Gus Van Sant; ALL THE PRETTY HORSES, directed by Billy Bob Thornton, CONFESSIONS OF A DANGEROUS MIND, written by Charlie Kaufman and directed by George Clooney; THE BROTHERS GRIMM, directed by Terry Gilliam; and the upcoming DERAILED starring Clive Owen and Jennifer Aniston, directed by Mikael Håfström.
Said Gordon, "My 15 years at Miramax was a thrilling journey and I am eternally grateful to Harvey and Bob as well as to the diverse and talented filmmakers with whom I had the good fortune to work. I have enormous respect for Stacey and I look forward to a great partnership with Donna. I am extremely excited about the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead."
Langley was promoted from her position as evp, production Universal Pictures in April 2005. Since that time she has overseen Universal's projects currently in production which include: THE INSIDE MAN, starring Denzel Washington, Clive Owen and Jodie Foster, directed by Spike Lee; SILENCE, directed by James Wan (SAW); the satire AMERICAN DREAMZ, directed by Paul Weitz; ACCEPTED, starring Justin Long and Blake Lively, directed by Steve Pink; and Michael Mann's MIAMI VICE starring Jamie Foxx and Collin Ferrell. Langley has also been actively involved in the update of Jane Austen's PRIDE AND PREJUDICE starring Keira Knightly for Universal's Focus Features due in theaters later this year.
Universal Pictures is a division of Universal Studios (
www.universalstudios.com ). Universal Studios is part of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80%-owned by General Electric, with 20% controlled by Vivendi Universal.
