Jonathan Glickman is stepping down as president of the MGM Motion Picture Group after nine years. The former executive is transitioning to the role of being a producer for the studio. The announcement was made via an internal memo sent by the MGM board of directors made via an internal memo sent by the MGM board of directors on Friday. In a separate announcement, Michael De Luca was named chairman of the MGM Motion Picture Group.
“After an eight-year tenure as President of the Motion Picture Group, Jonathan Glickman will be segueing to a first-look producing agreement with MGM effective February 1. Jonathan’s first priority will be to oversee the completion of EON’s 25th James Bond film, ‘No Time To Die,’ that is set for release this April. His first project as a producer with MGM will commence with the Aretha Franklin biopic, ‘Respect,’” the memo read.
In a personal statement, Glickman called his tenure as president “a great honor.”
“I am extremely enthusiastic about our 2020 slate, I can think of no better way to conclude this studio run than a third Bond film with Michael, Barbara, Daniel, Cary and company on ‘No Time to Die’,” he wrote. “I’m excited to return full-time to my first professional passion — producing entertaining and compelling films – while continuing to collaborate with the brilliant MGM team.”
Glickman oversaw the studio’s film development, production and co-financing opportunities. In addition, Glickman oversaw MGM’s live stage theatrical productions. Glickman arrived at MGM in 2011 with Gary Barber and Roger Birnbaum from Spyglass Entertainment. Barber was ousted as MGM CEO in 2018. Glickman’s contract was renewed back in 2016, to run through February 2020. Under Glickman, MGM released two James Bond films, “Skyfall” and “Spectre,” and the former president is expected to stay on to see the completion of Daniel Craig’s final outing as Bond in “No Time to Die,” which will be released on Easter weekend on April 10.
Before joining MGM, Glickman was the president of Spyglass Entertainment, which was behind movies like the “Rush Hour” franchise and was where he worked with MGM CEO Gary Barber.
Glickman’s father is Dan Glickman, a former congressman from Kansas, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and president of the Motion Picture Association of America.
The Hollywood Reporter first reported the news.