Kimmel refocusing on popular films
Bill Horberg leaves post but will work with co.
More Articles:
Most Viewed:
Taylor Lautner to star in 'Max Steel'(3434 views)Jack Black animates film pitch(3225 views)'Blind Side' tackles box office competition(2703 views)Nine(1518 views)Bennett Miller to direct 'Moneyball'(1397 views)Overture nabs rights to 'Stone'(1041 views) |
SKE is also expanding the role and responsibilities of senior marketing and distribution exec Bingham Ray, who will move into a newly created position as president of creative affairs and take a more active role in the production of the company's films.
Moves follow SKE's March decision to shutter its marketing department and scale back its slate from five films per year to two or three. Horberg's departure signals that SKE, founded by billionaire Sidney Kimmel and run by prexy Jim Tauber, is shifting its focus from arthouse fare to projects that appeal to a larger audience -- reflecting an industrywide trend seen recently with specialty labels such as Paramount Vantage.
Horberg, who took the production reins of the indie outfit in August 2005, oversaw a number of critically acclaimed films, albeit box office disappointments, including "The Kite Runner," "United 93" and "Lars and the Real Girl" as well as the upcoming directorial debut from Charlie Kaufman, "Synecdoche, New York," a film that cost $20 million.
"This is the second phase of our planned restructuring, which began in March when we announced the reduction in number of films we'll finance and produce, as well as discontinuation of marketing our own pictures," Tauber said. "While we stand by our choices, it's clear that the market is changing and that accelerating costs to distribute films and the urgency to find an audience in a short window demand that we cast our net wider."
Horberg's pact gives the former indie producer -- whose pre-SKE credits include "Cold Mountain" and "The Talented Mr. Ripley" -- the opportunity to maintain his close ties with SKE as well as to develop bigger-budget projects that don't fit with the new SKE model.
"While my experience as an executive at SKE has been rewarding on so many levels, my first love and goal has always been to return to producing films personally," Horberg said.Meanwhile, SKE is shifting gears with the kinds of projects it will pursue. For instance, the company is developing the thriller "Sunflower," which revolves around two young women who struggle to escape and exact revenge on the charming but deranged college professor who holds them hostage. The film, written by Misha Green, marks an obvious departure from the types of films Horberg shepherded.
Ray, a former president of United Artists and co-founder and co-prexy of October Films, will continue to work with SKE distribution partners on the marketing and distribution of the company's films.
As part of the company's restructuring, SKE also upped Jodi Hildebrand to VP of production and Dan Cohen to creative executive.
