Exec goes on Rogue mission

Dimension's Rona new production topper

By IAN MOHR

Rona

NEW YORK -- Rogue Pictures has brought aboard Dimension Films co-prexy Andrew Rona as its president of production.

Move had been expected after Rona's former Dimension colleague Brad Weston moved to Paramount and rumors began swirling that Rona would move to Universal's genre banner.

At Cannes, Universal and its Focus specialty film unit announced that Rogue would expand, ceasing its role as a Focus division to become a separate entity under U chair Stacey Snider.

David Linde, who co-heads Focus with James Schamus, oversees Rogue, and Rona will report to Linde.

With Rona now heading production for Linde, Rogue will aim to release 10 films annually. Projects in the works include a Platinum Dunes-produced remake of "The Hitcher" and an update of "The Changeling."

Other upcoming Rogue releases include Jeff Wadlow's "Cry Wolf," an untitled supernatural thriller starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, Eduardo Sanchez's "Altered" and Vondie Curtis-Hall's "Waist Deep."

"We're aggressively expanding Rogue because there are growth opportunities, and a changing film- viewing landscape, worldwide," Linde said. "With Andrew on board, we can take an already successful film label to the next level, diversifying our product, and court filmmakers and actors to deliver smart and profitable genre fare."

Focus holds international sales rights to all Rogue movies.

John Lyons continues to head production for Focus.

Rona said Tuesday he is "eager to fast-track some of (Rogue's) exciting new projects."

Rona joins Rogue after nearly five years as co-president at Dimension, the genre division of Miramax. He will oversee production and acquisitions for Rogue and be involved in all marketing and distribution of Rogue releases.

Rona joined Miramax in 1993 and was subsequently a founding exec of Dimension, which created such hits as Wes Craven's "Scream" trilogy, Robert Rodriguez's "Spy Kids" trilogy, "Sin City" and the "Scary Movie" franchise.