Beeks named prexy of Lionsgate's Movie Group

The combined Lionsgate and Summit is reducing roughly 80 people -- about 12% of their labor force -- on Friday, within 24 hours it named chief operating officer Steve Beeks prexy from the studio's Movie Group and reupped him as COO in new lengthy-term deal. The huge most of the 80 employees from both companies were being informed today. Pink slips were expected included in a continuing integration of Lionsgate, which began the merger about 500 employees, and Summit, which began about 150. A lot of the overlap is at the movie and residential entertainment departments. Combined companies should find yourself with around 575 employees, meaning more exits are anticipated. However, individuals job deficits should come more through attrition than lay offs. A Lionsgate representative rejected to discuss the departures. Beeks continues to be at Lionsgate for 14 many his move and COO since 2007. In the capacity as co-chief operating Officer, Beeks continues to are accountable to Lionsgate leader Jon Feltheimer in the new role in Movies he we'll are accountable to Lionsgate group co-chairs Take advantage of Friedman and Patrick Wachsberger. Beeks will result in corporate procedures and administrative matters for that combined company and can still play a vital role within the company's proper direction. Younger crowd has direct oversight of Lionsgate U.K. and also the company's home theatre procedures, including packed media, worldwide television distribution and digital media initiatives. Inside the Movie group, Beeks will concentrate on business, financial and planning choices for that combined Lionsgate and Summit theatrical slates, including their house entertainment releases. New Movie production prexy Erik Feig will spearhead creative choices and then report straight to Friedman and Wachsberger. "Steve and Erik bring complementary talents to the movie group," stated Friedman and Wachsberger inside a statement. "Steve's financial acumen and business leadership, combined with Erik's creative prowess and incredible eye for films with global appeal, position our shot entertainment procedures for ongoing growth and industry leadership worldwide." Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Mike Gyllenhaal in foretells join 'Motor City"

GyllenhaalWith Dominic Cooper receding because of arranging conflicts, Warner Bros. and Dark Castle have labored fast to locate a new leading guy for "Motor City." Mike Gyllenhaal is within discussions to star. Amber Heard and Gary Oldman happen to be aboard also to star with Albert Hughes set to helm. Story follows a felon who, after being launched from prison, starts searching for the males who presented him. Chad St. John composed the script with Silver creating through his Dark Castle shingle, together with Andrew Rona. Ethan Erwin and Doug Urbanski are professional creating. Since joining WME like a client, Gyllenhaal has had his amount of time in finding his next project. The thesp was last observed in Summit's "Source Code" and could be seen next in "Finish of Watch" which Open Road just acquired to distribute. Contact Justin Kroll at justin.kroll@variety.com

Jon Hamm: Billionaires Feuding Saved 'Mad Men' In the Air

Carrying out a extended absence, "Mad Males" finally returns for just about any fifth season on March 25 -- to begin dating ? that's doubtless marked inside the calendars in the show's superfans simply because they wait with anticipation over what continues next inside the untidy, sophisticated saga of Don Draper and company.In the guest appearance on Thursday's Letterman, Jon Hamm -- back round the marketing circuit for your AMC series -- places blame billionaire-on-billionaire squabbles for your 17-month delay. (The summer season-four finale broadcast in October 2010.)"These options get made ... inside a much greater pay grade than I'm allowed to get familiar with,In . Hamm referred to on CBS' "Late Show." "I've known into it thusly, and that i have grown to be at risk, so I'll repeat the process much the same way: when billionaires fight, it takes substantially longer to, like, settle. And then we had some loaded people determining how extended we'd be in the air.""Mad Males" is "completed with production," mentioned Hamm, adding: "Season five is within the books.""The season doesn't really mean anything," Weiner mentioned in the '60-set drama. "It doesn't. I'm not undertaking a lesson ever. The main one factor that i'm searching toward is I desired and provide people a sizable helping. I desired a couple-hour premiere. It's a 'Mad Men' movie -- I don't think anyone's prone to think it's two episodes spliced together. There is a tale that starts in the heart of it (but otherwise) it's one story. The beginning as well as the ending derive from each other."The premiere, put together by Weiner and directed by Jennifer Getzinger, will begin that Sunday at 9 p.m. The following week's episode, returning towards the regular 10 p.m. timeslot, marks the Hamm's directorial debut. The Hollywood Reporter