Sony Pictures TV Head of Production Ed Lammi to Retire After 36 Years at Studio

Wow, a lot is starting to make sense here…

Todd Gilchrist editor “Sleepless in Seattle,” “Punch-Drunk Love” and four more films from Columbia Pictures will make their 4K Ultra HD debut Feb. 13, 2024, via Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. Columbia Classics 4K Ultra HD Collection Vol.

Sony Pictures TV Studios’ SVP, Drama Development Andrew Plotkin has been promoted to EVP, Drama Development. In the Head Of Drama Development role he is succeeding Lauren Stein who was recently promoted to Head of Creative for SPT Studios. Plotkin, who will continue to report to Stein, will oversee development of scripted drama series for all platforms.

Jennifer Maas TV Business Writer Former head of drama development at Disney’s 20th Television Michelle Mendelovitz has been named head of Mattel Television Studios. In her new role, Mendelovitz will oversee the development, production, and distribution of Mattel’s slate of episodic content on broadcast and streaming globally.

Jennifer Maas TV Business Writer Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav‘s name graced many a picket sign during the Writers Guild of America’s 148-day strike, with everything from his exec comp to content-cutting choices called out in writers’ anti-Hollywood studios jokes. Now that the work stoppage is over, the writers might consider reexamining their opinion of Zaslav, who concedes the WGA was “right about almost everything.” In a profile published by Wednesday by The New York Times Magazine, Zaslav said he does not regret the concessions that the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) made to finally close that tentative deal with the writers union Sept.

Madame Web, their new film set within the Marvel Spider-Man universe. The film is due to arrive in cinemas next year with Dakota Johnson leading the cast.Sydney Sweeney, Celeste O’Connor, Isabela Merced, Tahar Rahim, Mike Epps, Emma Roberts and Adam Scott also star.“Meanwhile, in another universe…” In a switch from the typical genre, Madame Web tells the standalone origin story of one of Marvel publishing’s most enigmatic heroines. The suspense-driven thriller stars Dakota Johnson as Cassandra Webb, a paramedic in Manhattan who may have clairvoyant abilities. Forced to confront revelations about her past, she forges a relationship with three young women destined for powerful futures…if they can all survive a deadly present.There’s not too long to wait for this one with the film set for cinema screens on 14th February.We have the full trailer for the film below.More as it comes in.When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.@ THN - The Hollywood News 2023

EXCLUSIVE: Claire’s is teaming up with Sony Pictures Television — Kids to create a new series for young people for the global marketplace.

Anna Kendrick’s directorial debut Woman Of The Hour and family drama Mother Couch, starring Ewan McGregor and Ellen Burstyn, are headed to the third edition of Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea International Film Festival, running from November 30 to December 9 in the port city of Jeddah.

Refresh for latest…: Sony Pictures Entertainment saw a 1% gain in profits for the quarter ended September 30 versus the similar period last year. Coming in at $204 million, operating income was also 77% above the first quarter of 2023.

Sharon Stone is making a serious allegation.

Caroline Brew editor Sony Pictures Entertainment’s first LED virtual production stage built by Sony Innovation Studios will be operated and managed by Pixomondo. Pixomondo, Sony’s award-winning visual effects and virtual production studio, will oversee operation of the LED virtual production stage later this month.

Jennifer Maas TV Business Writer Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav opened the company’s quarterly earnings presentation with remarks on the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike, remaining “hopeful” that the work stoppage will end “soon” following the Hollywood studios’ move to adjust AI language in its “last, best and final offer” to the actors union. “We are hopeful we will reach a resolution to the SAG-AFTRA strike soon,” Zaslav said during WBD’s third-quarter earnings call Wednesday.

Sony Pictures Television Studios’ head of drama Lauren Stein has been elevated to Head of Creative. In the newly created role, drama and comedy development, TriStar Television, international co-productions, and current programming on series in their first year of production will be under Stein’s purview. Stein will continue to report to Sony Pictures Television Studios President Katherine Pope.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter Sony Pictures Television Studios has promoted Lauren Stein to the newly created role of head of creative. Stein has been head of drama development at Sony TV since 2017. In the new role, Stein will oversee drama and comedy development, TriStar Television, international co-productions, and current programming on series in their first year of production.

Gary Martin, a retired longtime executive at Sony Pictures who served as President of Studio Operations and Product during a 32-year stint at the studio, has died. He was 79.

Sony Pictures Classics has acquired rights in North America and China to mystery-comedy Wicked Little Letters from Studiocanal, for a 2024 theatrical release.

Rebecca Rubin Film and Media Reporter Sony Pictures Classics has acquired North American rights to “Wicked Little Letters,” a stranger-than-fiction mystery comedy starring Olivia Colman and Jessie Buckley. The movie, directed by “Me Before You” filmmaker Thea Sharrock, had its world premiere at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival. “Wicked Little Letters” will debut in theaters sometime in 2024.

Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent Leading Saudi advertising and live events company Alamiya has moved into film production by acquiring start up shingle Lyra Pictures, co-founded by experienced media exec Wesam Kattan, who was part of the Viacom team that launched MTV Arabia. Alamiya was founded in 1976 as the first film and TV studio in the kingdom, but was forced to change its business plan in the early 1980s due to the ban on cinema forced by religious conservatives.

EXCLUSIVE: Film Bridge International is launching sales at AFM on horror Xelter, whose producers include The De Laurentiis Company (Hannibal) and Head Gear Films (Talk To Me).

Jennifer Maas TV Business Writer Warner Bros. Discovery’s chief people and culture officer Adria Alpert Romm will retire at the end of June 2024, the company announced Tuesday. WPP’s global chief people officer Jennifer Remling has been named as the top HR exec’s successor and will join WBD in January.