Um, Is Anyone Else Worried? Universal Execs Who Greenlit "Serenity" Leaving Post by FilmCritic3000

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Um, Is Anyone Else Worried? Universal Execs Who Greenlit "Serenity" Leaving Post

POSTED BY: FILMCRITIC3000
UPDATED: Thursday, April 14, 2005 19:10
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Tuesday, April 12, 2005 5:09 PM

I think Ms. Langley needs to be treated nicely as she'll be the one to have final say on "Serenity"'s marketing, etc.

Any other thoughts, Browncoats?

Here's the press release:

http://www.nbcumv.com/release_detail.nbc/universalpictures-20050412000
000-universalpicturesv.html

UNIVERSAL PICTURES VICE CHAIRMEN OF WORLDWIDE PRODUCTION MARY PARENT AND SCOTT STUBER TRANSITION INTO EXCLUSIVE PRODUCING DEAL Universal’s Donna Langley Named President of Production

Los Angeles - April 12, 2005 - Universal Pictures Chairman Stacey Snider announced today that Vice Chairmen, Worldwide Production, Mary Parent and Scott Stuber will transition into their five-year exclusive producing agreement with the studio. In 2003 when Stuber and Parent were promoted they signed a seven-year agreement with the studio, the first two of which they would serve as Vice Chairmen, Worldwide Production, and the balance as producers on the lot. Also announced today, Universal Pictures Executive Vice President of Production, Donna Langley will become the President of Production, reporting to Snider. Langley’s promotion is effective immediately and Stuber and Parent’s transition to producing will occur at the end of 2005, when the executive portion of their contract finishes.

The addition of Stuber and Parent to Universal’s roster of production companies provides the studio with another respected and reliable feature film supplier for its annual slate. “After eight-years of overseeing the development and production of what are arguably Universal’s biggest hits and franchises, we are ecstatic to have Mary and Scott’s vast talents transferred to producing films for the studio as one of its ongoing major suppliers,” said Snider. “Our belief in Scott and Mary has always been so great that two years ago when we discussed their future with the studio, we happily made this long-term agreement as we wanted to be the beneficiaries of their productivity and talents in any capacity. One of the key ways companies can continue to grow, evolve and embrace the future is by working to fulfill the dreams of those that have served it with exceptional results - and Mary and Scott have clearly done just that.”

In regards to new President of Production, Donna Langley, Snider added, “Donna is a superlative executive with great taste and all of the skills to handle the production chief duties. Additionally, she has a great team supporting her. One of Universal’s strengths is developing executive talent from within the organization and Donna is an example of this fact.”

“We got into this business because we both love movies and it has been a dream of ours to become producers. Having the opportunity to do this at a studio we love, with a group of people we consider family is our dream come true.” said Stuber and Parent. “We feel incredibly fortunate that when we were given our current position two years ago, Ron and Stacey were generous enough to help us realize our goal with a home on the Universal lot. Donna is someone we have known for more than ten years, and couldn’t be more deserving of running production.”

Donna Langley was named Executive Vice President, Production for Universal Pictures in October of 2003. Since that time she has been intimately involved in the development and production of numerous Universal feature films including 2004’s world-wide smash Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason and the critical and audience favorite In Good Company. She is currently working on the upcoming Inside Man, starring Denzel Washington and Clive Owen and directed by Spike Lee, which is set for production later this year; the comedy You Me and Dupree, starring Owen Wilson; and the romantic comedy, Prime, starring Uma Thurman and Meryl Streep. Langley has been actively involved in the update of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice starring Keira Knightly for Universal’s Focus Features due in theatres later this year.

Prior to joining Universal, Ms. Langley served as Senior Vice President of Production for New Line Cinema, having first joined New Line in 1994. At New Line she oversaw a number of films including Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, which she also executive produced, and The Cell.

Scott Stuber and Mary Parent joined Universal Pictures in 1997 as Senior Vice Presidents of Production. In 2001 they were each named President of Production, rising to Vice Chairmen, Worldwide Production in 2003. Over the past eight years they have supervised over ninety films, twenty-one of which reached $100 million or more domestically - with seventeen of these films reaching this milestone from the time they began running production in 2001. During this same period the studio received twenty Academy Award® nominations resulting in seven Oscars.®

Universal Pictures is a division of Universal Studios ( www.universalstudios.com). Universal Studios is part of NBC Universal. NBC Universal is one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates the No. 1 television network, the fastest-growing Spanish-language network, a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80%-owned by General Electric, with 20% controlled by Vivendi Universal.

"The first thing I do in the morning is brush
my teeth and sharpen my tongue." -- Dorothy Parker

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Tuesday, April 12, 2005 5:17 PM

EMBERS

I heard about this earlier today,
and I really don't think it will affect our BDM.

If this had happened a year ago (when Joss was just getting the script written and the BDHs were coming in for their first costume fittings) THEN it might have been scary,
but the movie is made.
The buzz for the movie has started.

There is supposed to be a trailer in the theaters soon.
So I really think it is too late to pull the plug.

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Tuesday, April 12, 2005 6:20 PM

FFYING2

Quote:
Stuber and Parent’s transition to producing will occur at the end of 2005, when the executive portion of their contract finishes.

Serenity will be released under Parent's eye. If it does well, there will be a sequel. No worries.

Ying

Firefly Funsite http://fireflyfunsite.home.att.net
Firefly Chinese Pinyinary http://fireflychinese.home.att.net

Browncoats.com http://www.browncoats.com

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Tuesday, April 12, 2005 6:54 PM

FILMCRITIC3000

Lovely. Well I jumped the gun on that one, huh?

"The first thing I do in the morning is brush
my teeth and sharpen my tongue." -- Dorothy Parker

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Wednesday, April 13, 2005 5:56 AM

CHRISISALL

Yeah, relax. All Universal has to do is watch the cash roll in.

Sequalis absolutis.

Confident Chrisisall

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Wednesday, April 13, 2005 8:31 AM

SIMONWHO

Well, it depends. If Serenity comes out pretty much simultaneously with the boss's version of Pride & Prejudice, guess which film will get all the company's attention, marketing spend, etc, etc? Plus of course, they won't really get credit if Serenity succeeds so they might not push it as hard as they could.

If you think I'm too cynical about Hollywood executives, try reading some of William Goldman's books. Now they're cynical.

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Wednesday, April 13, 2005 9:50 AM

SERGEANTX

Yeah, it worries me some. I just don't trust those slimy executive types to do anything that doesn't bring in short term profits at the expense of everything, and everyone, else. We'll see how it goes. Seems like getting quality art out there is always going to be an uphill battle.

I'm still impressed that Joss is willing to fight so hard. If Universal craps out, I'm betting he has other cards up his sleeve.

SergeantX

"Dream a little dream or you can live a little dream. I'd rather live it, cause dreamers always chase but never get it." Aesop Rock

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Wednesday, April 13, 2005 10:03 AM

TLACOOK

Mary Parent has been a huge supporter of Firefly/Serenity since the series was on TV. She is still with the company. I don't see a problem and I think that Universal has been supportive in every aspect possible on the BDM.

Lets not let our cynicism engendered by Fox broadcasting color all our views of those who work to get quality entertainment out to us all.

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Wednesday, April 13, 2005 10:11 AM

KAYLEE4SIMON

But which film will have more fandom circling it?

Last time I checked their wasn't a big Pride & Prejudice shindig anywhere.

Keep shiny!

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Wednesday, April 13, 2005 11:08 AM

FROGGER

besides...I already bought my set of chains. You know...the ones I will use to lash myself to the hood of the car of any executive who blocks this BDM (or sequels)

Hi btw....I am new to this site. I have spent the last few weeks scoping the site seeing what there is to see. I have been on browncoats for a little while now.

Hope I didn't interrupt.

Frogger

"There's obeying going on RIGHT UNDER MY NOSE!!!"

"It shall be loquacious to a fault!"

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Wednesday, April 13, 2005 12:18 PM

SERGEANTX

Quote:
Originally posted by tlacook:
Mary Parent has been a huge supporter of Firefly/Serenity since the series was on TV. She is still with the company. I don't see a problem and I think that Universal has been supportive in every aspect possible on the BDM.

Lets not let our cynicism engendered by Fox broadcasting color all our views of those who work to get quality entertainment out to us all.

My cynicism for the popular entertainment industry goes far deeper than Fox, but your comment is well taken. Thanks for the info!

SergeantX

"Dream a little dream or you can live a little dream. I'd rather live it, cause dreamers always chase but never get it." Aesop Rock

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Wednesday, April 13, 2005 4:37 PM

MALICIOUS

Quote:
Originally posted by frogger:
Hope I didn't interrupt.

Stop interrupting! And oh, hey, welcome to the site! (Don't mind me, I'm rude to everyone.)

Mal-licious

I think I will add cursing and the hurling about of things to my repertoire.

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Wednesday, April 13, 2005 9:23 PM

SOUPCATCHER

Welcome to fireflyfans, Frogger!

SimonWho: In regards to Pride and Prejudice getting more advance advertising than Serenity... I think the odds are against this happening. We won't know until later, but I'd actually be really surprised if Pride and Prejudice got a 3000 theater release (something I'm expecting for Serenity).

---------------------
Next up: Early "Nutcrusher" Jubal and the Firebuggers

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Thursday, April 14, 2005 7:10 PM

FROGGER

Thanks Mal and soupcatcher....wow there are some nice folk here!

"There's obeying going on RIGHT UNDER MY NOSE!!!"

"It shall be loquacious to a fault!"

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