Lionsgate has appointed Erin Westerman President of his film group, Thewrap has learned. Adam Fogelson, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Chair, shared the news Thursday.
In his role, Westerman will monitor all aspects of the development and production of Lionsgate’s slate of theatrical film release. She will report to Fogelson.
“Erin’s deep impact on our studio cannot be overestimated,” Fogelson said in a statement about losing. “She has earned respect for her peers and talent through hard work, incredible story and great choices, whether related to the role or the direction of some of our most important IP. But it is her tough intelligence, passion for theatrical film that is a real way that has made Lionsgate an attractive home for filmmakers who continue to do their here.
Westerman is currently shepherd production or post production on Francis Lawrence “The Long Walk”, based on the acclaimed novel by Stephen King; Ruben Fleischer -directed the third part of the nearly $ 700 million cash office who collected “Now You See Me” franchise, “Now you see me: Now you don’t”; Paul Feig-directed the thriller “The Housemaid”, with Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried in the adaptation of the best-selling novel; Michael Jackson Biopic “Michael”, produced by Graham King and directed by Antoine Fuqua; Marc Webb’s “Day drinker”, with Johnny Depp and Penélope Cruz; And Kingdom Story Company’s “I can only imagine 2”, extend Lionsgate’s leadership in the faith -based space.
Large films in development under her leadership, many based on highly sought after IP, include Luca Guadagnino’s reinstatement of the studio’s hit “American Psycho”; “Monopoly”, based on the global beloved Hasbro brand and produced by Margot Robbies Luckychap Productions; “Naruto”, based on one of the world’s most popular manga properties, to be directed by Destin Daniel Cretton; Reimagining of the iconic “Blair Witch project” in collaboration with horror leader Blumhouse; And the continued expansion of the “John Wick” universe with an animated prequel, an action pineoff and “John Wick: Chapter Five” everything in the works.
Westerman known for his strong speech relationships and recently helped to gather an A-list role for the studio’s upcoming “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the reaping”, led by Glenn Close, Jesse Plemons, Ralph Fiennes, Kieran Culkin, Elle Fanning and Billy Porter. The film will reunite franchise director Francis Lawrence and producer Nina Jacobson and meet theaters on November 20, 2026.
Westerman joined Lionsgate 2017 and has played a key role in blockbuster such as the third and fourth chapters in “John Wick” franchise, which showed outstanding box office growth from some to the next; “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” which took in almost $ 350 million at the global cash office; Rian Johnson’s breakout hit “Knives Out”, who received an Oscar nomination for best original script; and Oscar -Nominated “Bombshell.”
Westerman is a strong advocate for women’s issues and is advocating an improvement in Lionsgate’s maternity leave policy that became the model for an industry standard. Women throughout the industry continue to approach Westerman for help with improving their own company’s maternity leave policy.
Before coming to Lionsgate, Westerman was head of development at Good Universe, where she produced such hit films as “The Disaster Artist”, “Neighbors 2”, “Always my maybe” and “Don’t Breathe.” She began her career as production manager at Walt Disney Studios, where she monitored production on such hit films as “Askepott”, directed by Kenneth Branagh, and “Into the Woods”, directed by Rob Marshall.
