(CelebrityAccess MediaWire) —
Producer Kevin Misher's Misher Films will move to Paramount Pictures under a new three-year, first look deal. Misher Films executives Patrick Baker and Andrew Berman will join Misher at Paramount. Misher's deal commences following the expiration of his current agreement with Universal Pictures.
"We're thrilled that Kevin will be joining us here at Paramount and bringing his fantastic producing sensibilities into our mix," said Gail Berman, president Paramount Pictures. "His track record for finding great material speaks for itself and we look forward to developing projects with him."
"I am tremendously excited about working with Paramount's dynamic new management team during this important evolution in the studio's history," said Misher. "I look forward to being part of and making significant contributions to Paramount's future success."
Misher Films is already actively developing several motion picture projects at Paramount. First up is an adaptation of Dan Zevin's comedic memoir "The Day I Turned Uncool: Confessions of a Reluctant Grown-up," published by Villard Books, a division of Random House. Misher is also developing at Paramount, "Parents on Strike," a family comedy that he is producing with Gavin O'Connor's Solaris Entertainment.
He is currently actively developing several other projects at Universal, including "Submariner," in association with Marvel Studios, a Marvel Comics core title written by David Self ("Road to Perdition"); the real life crime drama "Public Enemies," to star Leonardo DiCaprio and to be directed by Michael Mann, about the early days of the FBI; as well as "The Day the World Came to Town," based on the eponymous novel by Jim DeFede, for Oscar nominees Shari Springer and Robert Pulcini ("American Splendor") to adapt and direct. Misher has several other projects in development at other studios as well.
In 2001, Misher left his post as Universal's President of Production to form Misher Films. His first project as a producer was the hit follow-up to "The Mummy" " franchise "The Scorpion King." His subsequent production for Universal was "The Run Down," starring The Rock, Seann William Scott and Christopher Walken.
Most recently, Misher produced "The Interprerter" (in association with Working Title Films) at Universal, directed by Academy Award winner Sydney Pollack and starring Academy Award winners Nicole Kidman and Sean Penn.
Misher was brought to Universal from Sony Pictures Entertainment by Ron Meyer in 1996 as executive vice president of Production and was promoted to president of Production three years later. During his tenure as production president, reporting directly to Stacey Snider, Misher shepherded some of the company's most successful features and franchises, including "The Fast and the Furious," "Meet the Parents," "The Mummy," "The Mummy Returns," and Erin Brockovich." During his years as an executive at Universal, Misher was an integral part of the team that helped turn the studio's fortunes around in the mid-to-late-1990's. During that time the studio enjoyed significant prosperity, which has continued throughout several changes in ownership.
Prior to Universal, Misher served at Tri-Star Pictures for six years, ultimately as senior vice president, Production. –Bob Grossweiner and Jane Cohen
