Megan Ellison’s Annapurna Pictures is becoming a full-fledged theatrical distributor and marketer, according to a Friday statement released by the “Sausage Party” production company.
Former Fox marketing executive Marc Weinstock, who recently joined the production company as its president, will oversee the new division alongside President of Marketing David Kaminow, President of Distribution Erik Lomis, and their respective teams.
Its first release will be “The Hurt Locker” director Kathryn Bigelow’s untitled drama about the 1967 Detroit riots, which is set to hit theaters on Aug. 4 — the 50th anniversary of the riots. Bigelow is producing alongside Annapurna’s Ellison and Matthew Budman, while Mark Boal wrote the script. Boal and Colin Wilson are also producers and Greg Shapiro is executive producing. Bigelow, Boal and Ellison worked together previously on “Zero Dark Thirty.”
The movie features an ensemble cast including John Boyega, Chris Chalk, Nathan Davis Jr., Kaitlyn Dever, Austin Hébert, Joseph David-Jones, Malcolm David Kelley, John Krasinski, Jacob Latimore, Anthony Mackie, Jason Mitchell, Hannah Murray, Ben O’Toole, Will Poulter, Jack Reynor, Algee Smith, Peyton Alex Smith, Jeremy Strong, Ephraim Sykes and Leon Thomas III.
“Kathryn took a chance on me six years ago and I’m honored that she has put her faith in me and my team once again,” Ellison said in the statement. “I could not be more excited to be launching this new part of our company with such a groundbreaking filmmaker, tremendous collaborator, and dear friend.”
“Megan has been such a huge supporter of filmmakers as a producer and the fact that she is now offering a full-fledged distribution and marketing home run by such innovative and creative executives is great news to all of us,” Bigelow said in the statement. “I am thrilled to be working with them.”
Annapurna speculated to be working toward becoming a full-service studio for some time, as the production company has brought on a string of veteran distribution and marketing executives over the last couple years. In April 2015, Annapurna hired former Sony exec Kaminow to become its president of marketing. The production company brought in longtime The Weinstein Company distribution chief Lomis last March and former Twentieth Century Fox President of Domestic Theatrical Marketing Weinstock to serve as its president in November. All three will have senior roles in Annapurna’s distribution and marketing business.