With Misher out, U buoys prod'n exex
His new co. expected to have first-look deal
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Although he will remain in his current job until June 30 to oversee the studio's slate of key pre-strike movies, U exec VPs of production Scott Stuber and Mary Parent will succeed Misher as presidents of production. Allison Brecker will remain exec VP of production heading the studio's production team under Stuber and Parent.
Misher's as-yet-unnamed production entity is expected to have a first-look deal with the studio, though final details of the deal were still being negotiated late Sunday. Misher's current three-year contract with the studio expires in August.
Misher's exit, described as mutual and amicable, ends a decade-plus executive relationship between Misher and Universal Pictures chairman Stacey Snider and comes on the heels of a stellar year for the studio.
Misher joined U in 1996 as exec VP, production. He was appointed co-prexy of production for Universal Pictures in November 1998 and assumed sole production responsibility as prexy of production in August 1999.
Previously, Misher served for six years in various senior production positions at TriStar Pictures, rising to senior VP in 1993. The well-liked and respected exec has had a meteoric rise through the ranks, becoming a VP at age 25, senior VP at 28, exec VP at 30 and co-prexy of production at 32.
At the studio, he developed and packaged such pics as "Patch Adams," "The Bone Collector," "U-571" and "Meet the Parents," as well as the upcoming "The Scorpion King" and "Pay or Play" (formerly titled "Lost and Found"). Misher also supervised production on "Erin Brockovich," "Hannibal," "The Family Man" and "Bring It On," as well as the upcoming "The Mummy Returns" and "The Fast and The Furious."
His decision to exit was said to be painful for Snider, who has been negotiating for the past six months in a bid to persuade Misher to continue in his current post.
"Kevin and I have worked together for many years, and he has periodically asked for my support to start his own production company," said Snider. "Each time, I've been able to convince him to continue as a studio executive and pursue his creative ambitions within those duties, and he has succeeded in an extraordinary way. He is an extremely talented executive and will be a great producer."
But Misher was understood to be ambivalent about reupping under a new long-term deal, wishing to focus on the entrepreneurial, creative production side of his role as prexy of production rather than the administrative and managerial aspects.
"I feel that I have accumulated the knowledge base to provide me with a distinct competitive advantage in entering the rough and tumble world of producing motion pictures. Ironically, it was the studio's success that enabled me to finally take this leap," said Misher, who turned 36 Sunday."
Stuber commented, "Mary and I have worked closely together since joining the company four years ago. We are fortunate to have so many talented colleagues on our production team, and with their continued collaboration and support we are confident we can build on the terrific work that has been launched under Kevin's leadership."
Parent added, "Scott and I are grateful for this wonderful vote of confidence from Ron, Stacey and the entire Universal Pictures production team. We look forward to making movies that will sustain the momentum of our current success."
Parent joined U as senior VP production in August 1997 and was upped to exec VP of production in May.
Stuber joined Universal as senior VP of production in August 1977, and was promoted to exec VP of production in February 2000.
