D'Works exex invading Par
Tharp in as distrib chief
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After Paramount announced the surprise purchase of DreamWorks on Dec. 11 for $1.6 billion, Par brass confirmed that there would be some integration of the staff as a result of the deal, and the departure of Lewellen, a 33-year Par vet, is the first sign of such changes.
And it won't be the last. Many more changes are expected in the exec ranks at both studios. This particular shift is not surprising considering that the acquisition called for Par to distribute DreamWorks product (four to six live-action films per year) and Tharp is a well-respected distribution exec. He works closely with DreamWorks marketing chief Terry Press, who could also be in line for a major Par job.
Meanwhile, Lewellen, who for his own part has enjoyed success during his long tenure at Paramount, is part of the studio's old guard. Earlier this year, Brad Grey, Gail Berman and Rob Moore replaced the top brass from that regime, hoping to reinvigorate the struggling Melrose lot.
One source indicated that relations between Lewellen and Par's new top execs, including Grey and Moore, have not been good. His exit is likely due to that factor rather than the recent poor showings of Paramount product like "Aeon Flux" and "Get Rich or Die Tryin'."
Lewellen informed his staff Tuesday that he would be leaving Par, according to an individual at the studio. Details of his departure are still being worked out, but it is expected that he will officially leave after the first of the year. Lewellen will not be retiring from the biz, the source said.
Lewellen has served as prexy of Par's distribution operations since 1993, when he was upped from prexy of domestic distribution, a post he'd held since 1986. Prior to that, he was exec veep-general sales manager since 1984. Among Lewellen's honors during his long tenure at Paramount is a 1998 ShoEast top executive award.
Tharp has been with DreamWorks since its inception and previously worked for General Cinema.
A DreamWorks rep did not return calls seeking comment.
