Kevin Spacey And Dana Brunetti To Run Relativity Media

In an unexpected move, Relativity Media has acquired Trigger Street Productions and installed the production company’s owners as the new heads of the embattled studio. As Ryan Kavanaugh guides Relativity out of bankruptcy, he is looking to two-time Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey and producer Dana Brunetti to oversee the revival of the studio’s feature and scripted television business. Beginning in February, once Relativity is back on its feet, Spacey will serve as chairman and Brunetti will become president.

The successful track record of Trigger Street’s principals speaks for itself. They have consistently produced the kind of popular and critically acclaimed projects that Relativity needs in order to recover. Among their most successful are Best Picture-nominated films the Paul Greengrass-directed Captain Phillips and the David Fincher-directed The Social Network, along with the Emmy-nominated House Of Cards, Bernard And Doris and Recount. Their other credits include 21, Shrink, Fanboys, and the stage production The Iceman Cometh. Brunetti produced 2015’s box office hit Fifty Shades Of Grey. Spacey also brings eleven years of experience as artistic director of London’s Old Vic Theatre, during which he revitalized the venue and left it on sound financial footing.

Relativity’s film operations have been frozen since it filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy in July 2015. In October, the studio sold off the bulk of its television assets to a collection of Wall Street bidders, and a new group of investors led by Kavanaugh put up $60 million to secure the company’s remaining assets, which include distribution rights to its unreleased films.

The official committee of unsecured creditors involved in the studio’s bankruptcy case said on January 4, 2016 that it supports Relativity’s plan of reorganization and recommends that all unsecured creditors vote to accept the plan. The presiding judge will still need to approve it, and a court hearing to consider confirmation of the plan is scheduled for February 1, 2016. As part of its reorganization plan, Relativity previously announced that it plans to release seven films over the next 18 months, including the Kristen Wiig – Zach Galifianakis comedy Masterminds and Halle Berry vehicle Kidnap.

In a statement, Kavanaugh says: “I am thrilled to welcome Kevin and Dana to Relativity. Kevin’s incredible creative success as a two-time Academy Award winner and star and producer of the critically acclaimed House Of Cards speaks for itself. Dana has remarkable instincts and an impressive track record of producing films such as Fifty Shades Of Grey and Captain Phillips. Both men share my passion for film and Relativity’s unique 360-degree content engine, and I could not be more excited to partner with such talented professionals.”

Katia Juanita | Staff Writer