Disney Names Battsek President of Miramax
By NICOLE URBANOWICZ
DOW JONES NEWSWIRES
July 25, 2005 3:09 p.m.
Walt Disney Co. named Daniel Battsek, a former executive at its Buena Vista International film unit, as president of Miramax Films.
In a press release Monday, Miramax said Mr. Battsek, most recently executive vice president/managing director of distribution and production for BVI in the United Kingdom, will move to New York and report directly to Walt Disney Studios Chairman ________ Cook.
Mr. Battsek will also work with Bob and Harvey Weinstein, who separated from Disney back in March, but will remain co-chairmen of Miramax on a nonexclusive basis through Sept. 30. During this period, the Weinsteins will focus on completing projects currently in production and will oversee the marketing and distribution of Miramax and Dimension films scheduled for release.
As of Oct. 1, Miramax said, Mr. Battsek will take over all operations for Miramax Films, including creative, acquisitions, production and distribution, as well as marketing and publicity.
The Weinsteins formed the Miramax label, which was forfeited to Disney when they split in March. Disney retained Miramax's library along with keeping the Miramax name. The Weinsteins kept their Dimension Films label, some films in progress and the right to make Dimension sequels.
Miramax is the studio behind several Academy Award best-picture winners including "The English Patient," "Shakespeare in Love" and "Chicago." This year, Miramax films "The Aviator" and "Finding Neverland" received nominations for best picture.
Miramax films in the pipeline that will fall under Mr. Battsek's leadership include "Kinky Boots" from director Julian Jarrold; "Gone Baby Gone" from first-time director Ben Affleck; "Lucky 13" directed by Scott Marshall; and "Hoax," starring Richard Gere and to be directed by Lasse Hallstrom.
Mr. Battsek will collaborate with Weinstein Co. on co-productions such as "Breaking and Entering," "Derailed," "Matador" and "Mrs. Henderson."
Mr. Battsek first starting working with Disney in 1991, when he was asked to start up a U.K. company as part of the world-wide distribution network for BVI. He officially joined Walt Disney Studios in 1992. Speculation that he would be named to head Miramax began circulating about a month ago.
--The Associated Press contributed to this article
Write to Nicole Urbanowicz at nicole.urbanowicz@dowjones.com
By NICOLE URBANOWICZ
DOW JONES NEWSWIRES
July 25, 2005 3:09 p.m.
Walt Disney Co. named Daniel Battsek, a former executive at its Buena Vista International film unit, as president of Miramax Films.
In a press release Monday, Miramax said Mr. Battsek, most recently executive vice president/managing director of distribution and production for BVI in the United Kingdom, will move to New York and report directly to Walt Disney Studios Chairman ________ Cook.
Mr. Battsek will also work with Bob and Harvey Weinstein, who separated from Disney back in March, but will remain co-chairmen of Miramax on a nonexclusive basis through Sept. 30. During this period, the Weinsteins will focus on completing projects currently in production and will oversee the marketing and distribution of Miramax and Dimension films scheduled for release.
As of Oct. 1, Miramax said, Mr. Battsek will take over all operations for Miramax Films, including creative, acquisitions, production and distribution, as well as marketing and publicity.
The Weinsteins formed the Miramax label, which was forfeited to Disney when they split in March. Disney retained Miramax's library along with keeping the Miramax name. The Weinsteins kept their Dimension Films label, some films in progress and the right to make Dimension sequels.
Miramax is the studio behind several Academy Award best-picture winners including "The English Patient," "Shakespeare in Love" and "Chicago." This year, Miramax films "The Aviator" and "Finding Neverland" received nominations for best picture.
Miramax films in the pipeline that will fall under Mr. Battsek's leadership include "Kinky Boots" from director Julian Jarrold; "Gone Baby Gone" from first-time director Ben Affleck; "Lucky 13" directed by Scott Marshall; and "Hoax," starring Richard Gere and to be directed by Lasse Hallstrom.
Mr. Battsek will collaborate with Weinstein Co. on co-productions such as "Breaking and Entering," "Derailed," "Matador" and "Mrs. Henderson."
Mr. Battsek first starting working with Disney in 1991, when he was asked to start up a U.K. company as part of the world-wide distribution network for BVI. He officially joined Walt Disney Studios in 1992. Speculation that he would be named to head Miramax began circulating about a month ago.
--The Associated Press contributed to this article
Write to Nicole Urbanowicz at nicole.urbanowicz@dowjones.com