Veteran Hollywood film executive Courtenay Valenti has signed an agreement to take on the role of head of film, streaming and theater. Amazon Studios and MGM are e-commerce giants expanding their footprint in the film space.Her pending employment story was first reported at the end of Januaryconcludes months of speculation about who will take over the job now that Amazon owns MGM.
Valenti will report to Jennifer Salke, Chief of Amazon and MGM Studios. She will start on March 1st.
“Our strategy includes increasing our investment in cinema, including strong theatrical plans and growing streaming programs, to bring more films to moviegoers around the world. A key part of our strategy is taking a focused and measured approach to ensuring we have the right people to execute our creative vision,” Salke said in a note to staff on Tuesday. I am writing.
“Courtney is a seasoned executive with over 30 years of experience in the industry, strong connections with filmmakers and creatives, and an unsurpassed reputation for excellence, from producing blockbuster films to developing new franchises. “Under her leadership, the team will continue to meticulously curate our work to bring you the widest selection of big events, prestige films and genres.”
Valenti’s hiring ends a long search that began when Amazon signed an $8.45 billion deal to acquire MGM in the spring of 2022.
In the ironic case of the armchair, Valenti left Warner when new owners, Warner Bros. Discovery, put Abdi and De Luca in charge (they succeeded Toby Emmerich). ).
“It has been almost a year since Amazon acquired MGM, and during that time I have had the opportunity to get to know the MGM team and their work. I was very impressed with it,” Salke said in a note. “These films are a great complement to Amazon Originals and I would like to thank Julie Rapaport for her excellent work as interim head of both film groups.”
Rapaport will continue to oversee the Amazon Originals and MGM slates in his new role as Head of Film Creative and Strategy, reporting directly to Valenti. “We will have more to share about our team in the coming weeks,” Salke said. “Courtenay and Julie share a passion for storytelling and storytelling, and together, they give us an even stronger creative edge and strengthen our unique position as a hub of talent. To do.”
During his 33 years at Warners, Valenti was recognized for his keen eye, judgment and steady style. She has played key roles in the production of some of the studio’s most important modern franchises, including directing her four Harry Potter films.Her roster was also introduced crazy rich asians, lego movie and resurrection mad max movies, and more. Upcoming titles include: barbie and purple color.
She has also directed notable Oscar winners, including current best picture nominees elvis.
With her new job, Valenti reunites with Ben Affleck on film air, A sports drama that will be released in theaters nationwide from early April.Now that Hollywood’s legacy owns his studio, Amazon air A traditional theatrical release with a real window, rather than being available on Prime Video soon, or almost immediately. (Affleck won an Oscar Argo for Warner. )
Valenti also reunites with Warner Bros. alumnus Sue Kroll, who is now marketing at Amazon Studios. Both she and Kroll hail from the theatrical side of the business and are unimportant when it comes to dealing with filmmakers, agents and talent.
Valenti also comes from industry royalty. Her father was the late Jack Valenti, a longtime president of the Motion Picture Association, who set up a film rating system devised to prevent government interference and censorship.