Emma Watts to Be President of Paramount Motion Picture Group

Former 20th Century Fox movie govt Emma Watts has been appointed President of Paramount’s Motion Picture Group and can change Wyck Godfrey within the function, the studio introduced on Tuesday.

Beginning July 20, Watts will report back to Paramount Pictures Chairman and CEO Jim Gianopulos, with whom she labored when he served as chairman and CEO of Fox.

Godfrey, a veteran producer whose credit included “I, Robot” and the “Twilight” franchise, had been overseeing Paramount’s movie division since January 2018. He will step right down to return to producing films and TV exhibits.

In Watts’ new function, she is going to oversee the studio’s movie operations from improvement all the way in which as much as launch, together with Paramount Pictures and the indie division Paramount Players, and supervise casting, bodily manufacturing, postproduction and music. Elizabeth Raposo will proceed to serve in her present function as president of manufacturing and can report back to Watts.

“Emma is one of the most exceptional executives in the film industry,” Gianopulos mentioned in a press release. “I worked with her for almost two decades during her career at Fox and have watched her become the stellar leader and creative talent she is today. As Paramount continues its evolution and growth, I am thrilled that she will deftly guide the film studio with her impeccable taste, talent relationships and innovative vision.”

Watts added: “At such a rapidly evolving time in our business, Paramount’s rich history and commitment to unique and diverse storytelling make it essential in this new era of filmmaking. I look forward to working alongside Jim and the rest of the talented Paramount team to continue creating an environment that not only provides stability and confidence within the industry, but also empowers the creative community to do their very best work.”

Watts has over 20 years of expertise within the leisure trade and is finest recognized for her tenure at 20th Century Fox, the place her hits included “Night at the Museum,” “The Greatest Showman,” “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “The Martian,” “Deadpool,” “Logan,” “Avatar” and Steven Spielberg’s upcoming movie “West Side Story.”

She joined Fox in 1998 as a inventive govt and in 2007 was promoted to president of manufacturing and later to vice chairman in 2017. In 2018, following the Disney-Fox merger, she transitioned to the newly rebranded 20th Century Studios and oversaw productions like “Ford v Ferrari” and the upcoming “Free Guy” starring Ryan Reynolds.

“It’s been one of the great joys of my life to guide Paramount Pictures over the last few years,” Godfrey mentioned about his departure. “And while I am sad to leave and will miss the day to day with the people I’ve grown to love, I can’t wait to see the future of the studio under Jim G and Emma, both of whom are rock stars in their respective jobs. And, rest assured, I have no doubt I’ll be pestering them for years to come to make my movies as a producer.”

During his time at Paramount, Godfrey was answerable for hits like Mission: Impossible — Fallout,” “Bumblebee,” “Rocketman,” “Sonic the Hedgehog,” and extra. He additionally oversaw improvement on “A Quiet Place II,” “Top Gun: Maverick,” “Coming 2 America,” “Snake Eyes” and “Infinite,” amongst extra. Before becoming a member of Paramount, he produced beneath his personal manufacturing firm Temple Hill Entertainment, the place his credit included the “Twilight” collection and “First Man.”