Doug Belgrad and Matt Tolmach Promoted in Recognition of Contributions to Columbia Picture's Three Year Record of Success

Doug Belgrad and Matt Tolmach Promoted in Recognition of Contributions to Columbia Picture's Three Year Record of Success

CULVER CITY, Calif., Jan. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Following three of the most successful years in studio history, Doug Belgrad and Matt Tolmach have extended their employment agreements with Columbia Pictures through 2008 and the duo have been promoted in recognition of their contributions to the studio's turnaround, it was announced today by Amy Pascal, Chairman of the Sony Pictures Entertainment Motion Picture Group.

Belgrad and Tolmach were named co-presidents of production for Columbia Pictures in January, 2003. They will continue their partnership overseeing the studio's productions, and each has been elevated to the title of president of production for Columbia Pictures, reporting to Pascal.

In the two years since Belgrad and Tolmach partnered to lead the studio's development and production team, Sony Pictures Entertainment and Columbia Pictures has continued its rise to the top of the box office charts.

With $1.308 billion in 2004 domestic box office receipts, Sony Pictures Entertainment delivered the 3rd biggest year in box office history. Last year's performance cemented Sony's place as the #1 studio for 2 of the last 3 years. Worldwide, SPE generated more than $2.5 billion theatrically in 2004.

"Doug and Matt have established a model for a successful working partnership," Pascal said. "They have earned the respect of their peers by delivering box office strength through a tremendous diversity of product. Our line-up this year included low budget hits like The Grudge, modestly priced films like 50 First Dates, daring and provocative titles like Closer and blockbusters like Spider-Man 2. Nearly every film we released last year was very successful and that is as much a testament to Doug and Matt as it is the amazing talents of a fantastic and creative production team."

Belgrad and Tolmach work together to decide on new projects entering the studio system and they jointly oversee Columbia's slate of 10 to 12 films annually, as well as more than 100 projects in various stages of development.

They are currently shepherding Columbia's 2005 slate, which includes Hitch, starring Will Smith; Guess Who, starring Ashton Kutcher and Bernie Mac; Fun With Dick and Jane, starring Jim Carrey and Tea Leoni; Bewitched, starring Nicole Kidman and Will Ferrell; Stealth, directed by Rob Cohen and starring Jamie Foxx; Lords of Dogtown, directed by Catherine Hardwick; Click, starring Adam Sandler; Memoirs of a Geisha, directed by Rob Marshall; The Legend of Zorro, starring Catherine Zeta Jones and Antonio Banderas, directed by Martin Campbell; Deuce Bigalow European Gigolo, starring Rob Schneider; All The King's Men, starring Sean Penn and Jude Law; and Zathura, directed by Jon Favreau.

The 2006 and 2007 slates are also taking shape as well, with titles like The Da Vinci Code, starring Tom Hanks; RV, starring Robin Williams; Catch and Release, starring Jennifer Garner; I Dream of Jeannie; Marie Antoinette, directed by Sofia Coppola; Monster House; and Spider-Man 3, among many others.

Since ascending to the top of the production division, Belgrad and Tolmach have overseen such hits as Spider-Man 2, 50 First Dates, The Grudge, Secret Window, Closer, S.W.A.T., Identity, and Something's Gotta Give, among others.

About Sony Pictures Entertainment

Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America (SCA), a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution; television production and distribution; digital content creation and distribution; worldwide channel investments; home entertainment acquisition and distribution; operation of studio facilities; development of new entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of filmed entertainment in 67 countries. Sony Pictures Entertainment can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.sonypictures.com/.

For More Information, contact:

Steve Elzer
Senior Vice President, Media Relations
Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group
(310) 244-7142
steve_elzer@spe.sony.com


Source: Columbia Pictures

CONTACT: Steve Elzer, Senior Vice President, Media Relations of Columbia
TriStar Motion Picture Group, +1-310-244-7142, steve_elzer@spe.sony.com

Web site: http://www.sonypictures.com/


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