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{{short description|American film executive and producer|bot=PearBOT 5}}
{{short description|American film executive and producer|bot=PearBOT 5}}
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'''Erik Feig''' is an American film executive and producer.
'''Erik Feig''' is an American film executive and producer. In May 2019, Feig launched Picturestart with backing from [[Warner Bros.]], [[Endeavor Content]], and [[Bron Studios]] and access to [[Scholastic Corporation]]'s IP.<ref name="Deadline Hollywood">{{cite news |last1=Fleming |first1=Mike, Jr. |title=Ex-Lionsgate Chief Erik Feig Launches Funded Production Shingle Picturestart; Warner Bros, Endeavor Content, BRON Key Backers |url=https://deadline.com/2019/05/erik-feig-picturestart-lionsgate-funded-production-warner-bros-1202606058/ |publisher=Deadline Hollywood |date=May 2, 2019}}</ref> He served as co-president of the [[Lionsgate Motion Picture Group]], and president of [[Summit Entertainment]]. He has produced, supervised and originated the production of [[Academy Award]]-winning films including ''[[La La Land (film)|La La Land]]'' and ''[[The Hurt Locker]]'', along with book adaptations and films geared toward the youth market, including ''[[The Twilight Saga (film series)|The Twilight Saga]]'', ''[[The Hunger Games (film series)|The Hunger Games]]'' series, ''[[The Divergent Series|Divergent]]'' series, ''[[Red (film series)|Red]]'' series and ''[[Step Up (film series)|Step Up]]'' series.<ref>Mike Fleming Jr., [https://deadline.com/2012/10/lionsgate-acquires-film-rights-to-amor-towles-bestseller-rules-of-civility-356755/ "Lionsgate Acquires Film Rights To Amor Towles Bestseller 'Rules Of Civility',"] ''[[Deadline Hollywood]]'', October 19, 2012.</ref> According to ''[[The New York Times]]'', "Feig has built a reputation among book authors for cinematic adaptations."<ref name="bbarnes111917">Brook Barnes, "'Justice League' a Disappointing No. 1 as 'Wonder' Surprises," ''[[The New York Times]]'', November 19, 2017.</ref> As of 2017, films he has supervised or produced have collectively grossed over $12 billion at the box office worldwide.<ref>Alexandra Cheney, [https://variety.com/2014/biz/news/erik-feig-joins-steve-beeks-as-co-president-of-lionsgate-1201120422/ "Erik Feig Joins Steve Beeks as Co-President of Lionsgate,"] ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'', February 25, 2014.</ref>

Feig, a graduate of [[Columbia University]], began his career in film as an independent producer. He worked for [[Summit Entertainment]] during the 2000s, before becoming president of production for [[Lionsgate]]. He left the company in 2018. In May 2019, Feig launched Picturestart, an independent production company.<ref name="Deadline Hollywood">{{cite news |last1=Fleming |first1=Mike Jr. |title=Ex-Lionsgate Chief Erik Feig Launches Funded Production Shingle Picturestart; Warner Bros, Endeavor Content, BRON Key Backers |url=https://deadline.com/2019/05/erik-feig-picturestart-lionsgate-funded-production-warner-bros-1202606058/ |publisher=Deadline Hollywood |date=May 2, 2019 |access-date=June 7, 2019 |archive-date=May 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190504000307/https://deadline.com/2019/05/erik-feig-picturestart-lionsgate-funded-production-warner-bros-1202606058/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


==Early life and education==
==Early life and education==
Feig was born in [[Los Angeles, California]], and raised in [[Westport, Connecticut]].<ref name="nytimes2002">[https://www.nytimes.com/2002/05/19/style/weddings-susanna-felleman-erik-feig.html "Weddings; Susanna Felleman, Erik Feig,"] ''The New York Times'', May 19, 2002.</ref><ref name="takefive">[https://www.college.columbia.edu/cct/latest/take-five/take-five-erik-feig-92 "Take Five with Erik Feig '92,"] ''[[Columbia College Today]]'', 2017.</ref> He attended [[Vanderbilt University]] in [[Nashville, Tennessee]], for one year. After taking a year off to travel, he transferred to [[Columbia University]] in New York City, graduating with a BA in English in 1992.<ref name="takefive"/><ref name="abblock">Alex Ben Block, [https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/erik-feig-summit-lionsgate-rob-friedman-patrick-wachsberger-288642 "Erik Feig to Head Movie Production at Combined Summit-Lionsgate,"] ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'', February 9, 2012.</ref> At Columbia, Feig lived in [[East Campus (Columbia University)|East Campus]] and studied under [[James S. Shapiro]], [[Annette Insdorf]], and [[David Denby]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-09-15 |title=Take Five with Erik Feig ’92 |url=https://www.college.columbia.edu/cct/latest/take-five/take-five-erik-feig-92 |access-date=2022-05-14 |website=Columbia College Today |language=en}}</ref>
Feig was born in [[Los Angeles, California]], and raised in [[Westport, Connecticut]].<ref name="nytimes2002">[https://www.nytimes.com/2002/05/19/style/weddings-susanna-felleman-erik-feig.html "Weddings; Susanna Felleman, Erik Feig,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027232042/http://www.nytimes.com/2002/05/19/style/weddings-susanna-felleman-erik-feig.html |date=2017-10-27 }} ''The New York Times'', May 19, 2002.</ref><ref name="takefive">[https://www.college.columbia.edu/cct/latest/take-five/take-five-erik-feig-92 "Take Five with Erik Feig '92,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171226095448/https://www.college.columbia.edu/cct/latest/take-five/take-five-erik-feig-92 |date=2017-12-26 }} ''[[Columbia College Today]]'', 2017.</ref> He attended [[Vanderbilt University]] in [[Nashville, Tennessee]], for one year. After taking a year off to travel, he transferred to [[Columbia University]] in New York City, graduating with a BA in English in 1992.<ref name="takefive"/><ref name="abblock">{{Cite web |last=Block |first=Alex Ben |date=2012-02-09 |title=Erik Feig to Head Movie Production at Combined Summit-Lionsgate |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/erik-feig-summit-lionsgate-rob-friedman-patrick-wachsberger-288642/ |access-date=2023-07-06 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-08-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809025344/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/erik-feig-summit-lionsgate-rob-friedman-patrick-wachsberger-288642/ |url-status=live }}</ref> At Columbia, Feig lived in [[East Campus (Columbia University)|East Campus]] and studied under [[James S. Shapiro]], [[Annette Insdorf]], and [[David Denby]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-09-15 |title=Take Five with Erik Feig '92 |url=https://www.college.columbia.edu/cct/latest/take-five/take-five-erik-feig-92 |access-date=2022-05-14 |website=Columbia College Today |language=en |archive-date=2022-06-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220618003153/https://www.college.columbia.edu/cct/latest/take-five/take-five-erik-feig-92 |url-status=live }}</ref>


==Career==
==Career==
===Independent producing (1997-2000)===
===Independent producing (1997-2000)===
Feig began his career as an independent producer, working with [[Sony Pictures]] producing films including ''[[I Know What You Did Last Summer]]'', ''[[I Still Know What You Did Last Summer]]'' and ''[[Slackers (film)|Slackers]]'', all for Sony Pictures.<ref name="abblock"/><ref name="nfinke">Nikki Finke, [https://deadline.com/2012/02/exclusive-summits-erik-feig-to-be-named-president-of-production-of-lionsgate-motion-picture-group-228844/ "Summit's Erik Feig To Be Named President Of Production At Lionsgate Motion Picture Group,"] Deadline.com, February 9, 2012.</ref><ref name="variety500">[https://variety.com/exec/erik-feig/ "Erik Feig,"] ''Variety''. Accessed October 27, 2017.</ref> He had a producing deal with [[Artisan Entertainment]], before being recruited to run the film department at [[Summit Entertainment]].<ref name="nfinke"/>
Feig began his career as an independent producer, working with [[Sony Pictures]] producing films including ''[[I Know What You Did Last Summer]]'', ''[[I Still Know What You Did Last Summer]]'' and ''[[Slackers (film)|Slackers]]'', all for Sony Pictures.<ref name="abblock"/><ref name="nfinke">{{Cite web |last=Finke |first=Nikki |date=2012-02-09 |title=EXCLUSIVE: Summit's Erik Feig To Be Named President Of Production Of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group |url=https://deadline.com/2012/02/exclusive-summits-erik-feig-to-be-named-president-of-production-of-lionsgate-motion-picture-group-228844/ |access-date=2023-07-06 |website=Deadline |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-10-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023074947/https://deadline.com/2012/02/exclusive-summits-erik-feig-to-be-named-president-of-production-of-lionsgate-motion-picture-group-228844/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="variety500">[https://variety.com/exec/erik-feig/ "Erik Feig,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216120922/http://variety.com/exec/erik-feig/ |date=2018-02-16 }} ''Variety''. Accessed October 27, 2017.</ref> He had a producing deal with [[Artisan Entertainment]], before being recruited to run the film department at [[Summit Entertainment]].<ref name="nfinke"/>


===Summit Entertainment (2001-11)===
===Summit Entertainment (2001-11)===
In 1998 Summit Entertainment, a sales agent at the time, launched its own production department with Splendor and Kill the Man, and by 2001, Feig joined Summit as president of production and acquisitions.<ref name="nytimes2002"/> He became a partner in 2007.<ref name="nfinke"/><ref name="bbarnes">Brooks Barnes, [https://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/20/business/media/20summit.html "For Studio, Vampire Movie Is a Cinderella Story,"] ''The New York Times'', November 19, 2008.</ref> During his tenure at Summit, he was involved in obtaining distribution rights to ''[[The Hurt Locker]]'', which won the [[Academy Award for Best Picture]];<ref name="abblock"/><ref name="nfinke"/> produced all five films in the ''[[Step Up (film series)|Step Up]]'' dance franchise, which grossed $651 million worldwide, provided [[Channing Tatum]] with his breakthrough role,<ref name="adalessandro">Anthony D'Alessandro, [https://deadline.com/2017/02/emma-stone-la-la-land-damien-chazelle-justin-hurwitz-oscars-interview-1201866006/ "Encore: How 'La La Land' Director Damien Chazelle, His Team & Lionsgate Faced The Music & Resurrected The Original Hollywood Musical,"] Deadline.com, February 17, 2017.</ref> whose TV spinoff was the first scripted drama acquired by [[YouTube Red]],<ref>Brooks Barnes, [https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/24/business/media/youtube-red-buys-step-up-its-first-big-budget-tv-drama.html?_r=0 "YouTube Red Buys 'Step Up,' Its First Big-Budget TV Drama,"] ''The New York Times'', June 23, 2016.</ref> and which ''The New York Times'' called "one of pop culture's most enduring franchises";<ref>{{cite news |last1=Marsh |first1=Calum |title='Step Up' Is One of Pop Culture's Most Enduring Franchises. How Did That Happen? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/01/arts/television/step-up-movies-tv-show.html?rref=collection/sectioncollection/arts |work=The New York Times |date=May 1, 2019}}</ref> and developed films including the ''[[Red (film series)|Red]]'' film series, ''[[Source Code]]'', ''[[50/50 (2011 film)|50/50]]'' and ''[[Letters to Juliet]]''.<ref name="abblock"/><ref>Matt Brady, [https://www.newsarama.com/391-summit-s-erik-feig-moving-red-from-comic-to-film.html "Summit's Erik Feig – Moving 'Red' from Comic to Film,"] NewsaRama, July 9, 2008.</ref>
In 1998 Summit Entertainment, a sales agent at the time, launched its own production department with ''[[Splendor (1999 film)|Splendor]]'' and ''[[Kill the Man]]'', and by 2001, Feig joined Summit as president of production and acquisitions.<ref name="nytimes2002"/> He became a partner in 2007.<ref name="nfinke"/><ref name="bbarnes">{{Cite news |last=Barnes |first=Brooks |date=2008-11-19 |title=For Studio, Vampire Movie Is a Cinderella Story |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/20/business/media/20summit.html |access-date=2023-07-06 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=2023-05-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230530004728/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/20/business/media/20summit.html |url-status=live }}</ref>


Feig brought the ''[[Twilight (novel series)|Twilight]]'' book series to Summit after [[Paramount Pictures]] passed on it.<ref name="nfinke"/> Although at the time the book had sold only 4,000 copies, Feig noted its strong following online, and its potential to be a franchise for the new studio.<ref name="bbarnes"/><ref>Asya Likhtman, [http://oxfordstudent.com/2015/03/18/erik-feig-tells-us-his-hollywood-life-story/ "Erik Feig tells us his Hollywood life story,"] ''[[The Oxford Student]]'', March 18, 2015.</ref> He pursued the project and was able to make a deal with author [[Stephenie Meyer]] by guaranteeing that the film would be true to her novels.<ref>Nicole Sperling, [https://ew.com/article/2008/07/16/twilight-hits-hollywood/ "'Twilight' hits Hollywood,"] ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'', July 16, 2008.</ref> Feig secured the rights to all four books in February 2006.<ref name="bbarnes"/> The five films in ''[[The Twilight Saga (film series)|The Twilight Saga]]'' would go on to gross $3.3 billion worldwide and would be the first major roles for [[Robert Pattinson]], [[Kristen Stewart]] and [[Anna Kendrick]].<ref>[https://www.boxofficemojo.com/franchises/chart/?id=twilight.htm Franchises: Twilight], [[Box Office Mojo]]. Accessed October 27, 2017.</ref>
Feig brought the ''[[Twilight (novel series)|Twilight]]'' book series to Summit after [[Paramount Pictures]] passed on it.<ref name="nfinke"/> Although at the time the book had sold only 4,000 copies, Feig noted its strong following online, and its potential to be a franchise for the new studio.<ref name="bbarnes"/><ref>{{Cite web |last=Likhtman |first=Asya |date=2015-03-18 |title=Erik Feig tells us his Hollywood life story |url=https://www.oxfordstudent.com/2015/03/18/erik-feig-tells-us-his-hollywood-life-story/ |access-date=2023-07-06 |website=The Oxford Student |language=en-GB |archive-date=2021-08-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210804083035/https://www.oxfordstudent.com/2015/03/18/erik-feig-tells-us-his-hollywood-life-story/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He pursued the project and was able to make a deal with author [[Stephenie Meyer]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sperling |first=Nicole |date=16 July 2008 |title='Twilight' hits Hollywood |url=https://ew.com/article/2008/07/16/twilight-hits-hollywood/ |access-date=2023-07-06 |website=EW.com |language=en |archive-date=2014-10-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024085659/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20211840,00.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Feig secured the rights to all four books in February 2006.<ref name="bbarnes" />


===Lionsgate (2012-2019)===
===Lionsgate (2012-2019)===
Summit was sold to [[Lionsgate]] for $412.5 million in 2012,<ref>Dave McNary, [https://variety.com/2012/film/news/lionsgate-buys-summit-for-412-5-million-1118048622/ "Lionsgate buys summit for $412.5 million,"] ''Variety'', January 13, 2012.</ref> and Feig was named president of production for Lionsgate Motion Picture Group.<ref name="abblock"/> In February 2014, he was promoted to co-president of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, overseeing film production and development for the Lionsgate and Summit labels.<ref name="dmiller">Daniel Miller, [https://articles.latimes.com/2014/feb/25/entertainment/la-et-ct-erik-feig-lionsgate-20140225 "Erik Feig named co-president of Lionsgate's film group,"] ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', February 25, 2014.</ref>
Summit was sold to [[Lionsgate]] for $412.5 million in 2012,<ref>{{Cite web |last=McNary |first=Dave |date=2012-01-13 |title=Lionsgate buys Summit for $412.5 million |url=https://variety.com/2012/film/news/lionsgate-buys-summit-for-412-5-million-1118048622/ |access-date=2023-07-06 |website=Variety |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-05-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230508084357/https://variety.com/2012/film/news/lionsgate-buys-summit-for-412-5-million-1118048622/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and Feig was named president of production for Lionsgate Motion Picture Group.<ref name="abblock"/> In February 2014, he was promoted to co-president of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, overseeing film production and development for the Lionsgate and Summit labels.<ref name="dmiller">{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Daniel |date=2014-02-25 |title=Erik Feig named co-president of Lionsgate's film group |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/la-xpm-2014-feb-25-la-et-ct-erik-feig-lionsgate-20140225-story.html |access-date=2023-07-06 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US |archive-date=2021-01-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123010259/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/la-xpm-2014-feb-25-la-et-ct-erik-feig-lionsgate-20140225-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref>


Feig first learned of ''[[La La Land (film)|La La Land]]'' at the [[Sundance Film Festival]] in 2014, when he met with [[Damien Chazelle]], who pitched him his script for a Hollywood musical. At the time, the script was in development at [[Focus Features]]. Feig secured a $30 million budget for Lionsgate to produce the film, gambling on the unusual undertaking of an original Hollywood musical. Chazelle's first feature ''[[Whiplash (2014 film)|Whiplash]]'' had not yet been released when the deal was made.<ref name="adalessandro"/><ref>Ryan Faughnder, [https://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-la-la-land-lionsgate-20170120-story.html "With 'La La Land,' which hauled in 14 Oscar nominations, Lionsgate's gamble is paying off big,"] ''Los Angeles Times'', January 24, 2017.</ref><ref>Peter Bart, [https://deadline.com/2016/12/lionsgate-la-la-land-starz-hacksaw-ridge-patriots-day-1201874179/ "'La La Land,' Starz Deal Leaves Lionsgate Singing About Future,"] Deadline.com, December 21, 2016.</ref> In 2016, ''La La Land'' received a record-tying 14 Academy Award nominations, winning six. That year, Lionsgate had the most Oscar nominations of any studio, with 26.<ref>Dave McNary, [https://variety.com/2017/film/news/lionsgate-movie-projects-la-la-land-1201981827/ "'La La Land' Lures More Movie Projects to Lionsgate, Says Top Film Executive,"] ''Variety'', February 8, 2017.</ref>
Feig first learned of ''[[La La Land (film)|La La Land]]'' at the [[Sundance Film Festival]] in 2014, when he met with [[Damien Chazelle]], who pitched him his script for a Hollywood musical. At the time, the script was in development at [[Focus Features]]. Feig secured a $30 million budget for Lionsgate to produce the film, gambling on the unusual undertaking of an original Hollywood musical. Chazelle's first feature ''[[Whiplash (2014 film)|Whiplash]]'' had not yet been released when the deal was made.<ref name="adalessandro">Anthony D'Alessandro, [https://deadline.com/2017/02/emma-stone-la-la-land-damien-chazelle-justin-hurwitz-oscars-interview-1201866006/ "Encore: How 'La La Land' Director Damien Chazelle, His Team & Lionsgate Faced The Music & Resurrected The Original Hollywood Musical,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191229092317/https://deadline.com/2017/02/emma-stone-la-la-land-damien-chazelle-justin-hurwitz-oscars-interview-1201866006/ |date=2019-12-29 }} Deadline.com, February 17, 2017.</ref><ref>Ryan Faughnder, [https://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-la-la-land-lionsgate-20170120-story.html "With 'La La Land,' which hauled in 14 Oscar nominations, Lionsgate's gamble is paying off big,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200214093547/https://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-la-la-land-lionsgate-20170120-story.html |date=2020-02-14 }} ''Los Angeles Times'', January 24, 2017.</ref><ref>Peter Bart, [https://deadline.com/2016/12/lionsgate-la-la-land-starz-hacksaw-ridge-patriots-day-1201874179/ "'La La Land,' Starz Deal Leaves Lionsgate Singing About Future,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190909170155/https://deadline.com/2016/12/lionsgate-la-la-land-starz-hacksaw-ridge-patriots-day-1201874179/ |date=2019-09-09 }} Deadline.com, December 21, 2016.</ref>


In February 2018, it was reported that Feig would be leaving Lionsgate, and that he has raised money to launch a new company focused on youth-oriented projects. Lionsgate is expected to be one of the investors in the new company.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McNary |first=Dave |date=2018-02-20 |title=Lionsgate Film Execs Erik Feig, Patrick Wachsberger Plan Exit |url=https://variety.com/2018/film/news/lionsgate-shakeup-erik-feig-patrick-wachsberger-exit-1202705345/ |access-date=2023-07-06 |website=Variety |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-05-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220512111348/https://variety.com/2018/film/news/lionsgate-shakeup-erik-feig-patrick-wachsberger-exit-1202705345/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Masters |first=Kim |date=2018-02-20 |title=Lionsgate Shake-Up: Top Film Execs Plan Exit (Exclusive) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/lionsgate-shake-up-top-film-execs-plan-exit-1086431/ |access-date=2023-07-06 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-09-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220930080019/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/lionsgate-shake-up-top-film-execs-plan-exit-1086431/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
With Lionsgate, Feig has originated, supervised and produced films including ''[[The Hunger Games (film series)|The Hunger Games]]'' series ([[Jennifer Lawrence]]'s first starring role in a major studio film), the ''[[The Divergent Series|Divergent]]'' series, ''[[Now You See Me (film)|Now You See Me]]'', ''[[Sicario (2015 film)|Sicario]]'', ''[[Hacksaw Ridge]]'', ''[[The Perks of Being a Wallflower (film)|The Perks of Being a Wallflower]]'', ''[[Sinister (film)|Sinister]]'', ''[[Warm Bodies (film)|Warm Bodies]]'', ''[[Mr. and Mrs. Smith (2005 film)|Mr. and Mrs. Smith]]'', ''[[Power Rangers (film)|Power Rangers]]'', ''[[Chaos Walking (film)|Chaos Walking]]'', ''[[The Kingkiller Chronicle]]'' and ''Uncle Drew''.<ref name="dmiller"/><ref>Patrick Hipes, [https://deadline.com/2014/02/erik-feig-re-ups-as-lionsgate-motion-picture-group-co-president-689074/ "Erik Feig Re-Ups With Promotion To Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Co-President,"] Deadline.com, February 25, 2014.</ref><ref>Anthony D'Alessandro, [https://deadline.com/2017/03/power-rangers-lionsgate-return-to-big-screen-box-office-1202052445/ "How Lionsgate Re-Charged 'Power Rangers' & Returned It To The Big Screen,"] Deadline.com, March 26, 2017.</ref><ref>Dave McNary, [https://variety.com/2014/film/news/jamie-linden-to-write-lionsgates-chaos-walking-exclusive-1201286906/ "Jamie Linden to Write Lionsgate's 'Chaos Walking',"] ''Variety'', August 20, 2014.</ref><ref>Dave McNary, [https://variety.com/2017/film/news/power-rangers-robin-hood-kingkiller-chronicle-lionsgate-movies-1201957052/ "Lionsgate Offers New Details About 'Power Rangers,' 'Robin Hood,' 'Kingkiller Chronicle',"] ''Variety'', January 10, 2017.</ref> Feig optioned the rights to R.J. Palacio's novel ''[[Wonder (Palacio novel)|Wonder]]'' before it was published. Receiving strong reviews, ''[[Wonder (film)|Wonder]]'' over-performed at the box office, taking in $27.1 million over opening weekend, which was triple what analysts expected.<ref name="bbarnes111917"/>

In February 2018, it was reported that Feig would be leaving Lionsgate, and that he has raised money to launch a new company focused on youth-oriented projects. Lionsgate is expected to be one of the investors in the new company.<ref>Dave McNary, [https://variety.com/2018/film/news/lionsgate-shakeup-erik-feig-patrick-wachsberger-exit-1202705345/ "Lionsgate Film Execs Erik Feig, Patrick Wachsberger Plan Exit,"] ''Variety'', February 20, 2018.</ref><ref>Kim Masters, [https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/lionsgate-shake-up-top-film-execs-plan-exit-1086431 "Lionsgate Shake-Up: Top Film Execs Plan Exit,"] ''The Hollywood Reporter'', February 20, 2018.</ref>


===Picturestart===
===Picturestart===
In May 2019, Feig announced the launch of Picturestart, a "new media" company. Scholastic granted the company access to its IP.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kroll |first1=Justin |title=Veteran Producer and Exec Erik Feig Launches Media Company Picturestart |url=https://variety.com/2019/biz/news/erik-feig-picturestart-1203202933/ |accessdate=May 3, 2019 |work=Variety |date=May 2, 2019 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Deadline Hollywood"/><ref>{{cite news |last1=Kit |first1=Borys |title=Former Lionsgate Film Exec Erik Feig Launches New Production Banner |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/lionsgate-film-exec-erik-feig-launches-new-production-banner-1206812 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=May 2, 2019}}</ref> Picturestart intends to produce four to six films and four to six TV series per year.<ref name="losangelestimes">{{cite news |last1=Faughnder |first1=Ryan |title=Former Lionsgate executive Erik Feig gets Warner Bros. backing for new company |url=https://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-erik-feig-warner-picturestart-amy-pascal-20190502-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |date=May 2, 2019}}</ref>
In May 2019, Feig announced the launch of Picturestart, a "new media" company. Scholastic granted the company access to its IP.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kroll |first1=Justin |title=Veteran Producer and Exec Erik Feig Launches Media Company Picturestart |url=https://variety.com/2019/biz/news/erik-feig-picturestart-1203202933/ |access-date=May 3, 2019 |work=Variety |date=May 2, 2019 |language=en |archive-date=May 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502191136/https://variety.com/2019/biz/news/erik-feig-picturestart-1203202933/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Deadline Hollywood"/><ref>{{cite news |last1=Kit |first1=Borys |title=Former Lionsgate Film Exec Erik Feig Launches New Production Banner |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/lionsgate-film-exec-erik-feig-launches-new-production-banner-1206812 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=May 2, 2019 |access-date=June 7, 2019 |archive-date=June 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607152359/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/lionsgate-film-exec-erik-feig-launches-new-production-banner-1206812 |url-status=live }}</ref> Picturestart intends to produce four to six films and four to six TV series per year.<ref name="losangelestimes">{{cite news |last1=Faughnder |first1=Ryan |title=Former Lionsgate executive Erik Feig gets Warner Bros. backing for new company |url=https://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-erik-feig-warner-picturestart-amy-pascal-20190502-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |date=May 2, 2019 |access-date=June 7, 2019 |archive-date=June 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607115057/https://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-erik-feig-warner-picturestart-amy-pascal-20190502-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Honors==
Feig was named to the ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' 500 list of the 500 most influential people in the entertainment industry.<ref name="variety500"/> He was an honoree for the [[LA's Promise]] 2012 gala.<ref>[https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/erik-feig-the-california-endowment-and-univision-to-be-honored-at-las-promise-2012-gala-168779306.html "Erik Feig, The California Endowment, and Univision to be Honored at LA's Promise 2012 Gala,"] [[PR Newswire]], September 6, 2012.</ref> In 2013 he received the Dizzy Feet Foundation Impact Award, for his support of dance and the arts through the ''Step Up'' films, credited "with exposing millions of people around the world to the art of dance."<ref>Carey Purcell, [http://www.playbill.com/article/dizzy-feet-foundation-honors-chita-rivera-and-erik-feig-july-27-com-207919 "Dizzy Feet Foundation Honors Chita Rivera and Erik Feig July 27,"] ''[[Playbill]]'', July 27, 2013.</ref> He is a ReFrame ambassador for gender balance in the entertainment industry.<ref>Rebecca Sun, [https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/frame-campaign-will-tackle-gender-inequality-hollywood-977555 "Paul Feig, Nina Jacobson and 50 A-Listers Reveal New Campaign to Tackle Hollywood Gender Inequality,"] ''The Hollywood Reporter'', February 22, 2017.</ref> He received the [[John Jay Award]] from Columbia University in 2019.<ref>{{cite web |title=2019 John Jay Awards Dinner |url=https://www.college.columbia.edu/alumni/jj19 |website=columbia.edu |date=7 August 2018 |accessdate=7 June 2019}}</ref>


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Feig lives in [[Los Angeles, California]], with his wife Susanna Felleman and their two children. They were married in New York in 2002.<ref name="nytimes2002"/><ref name="takefive"/>
Feig lives in [[Los Angeles, California]], with his wife Susanna Felleman and their two children. They were married in New York in 2002.<ref name="nytimes2002"/><ref name="takefive"/>

Feig is a founding board member of [[LA's Promise]], a nonprofit helping students and families in Los Angeles's needy neighborhoods; a founding board member of The Systemic Change Project, which promotes gender balance in the entertainment industry; a board member of the [[Columbia University School of the Arts]]; a board member of [[RepresentUs]];<ref>{{cite web |title=About Us |url=https://represent.us/about/ |website=represent.us |accessdate=7 June 2019}}</ref> a board member of City Year Los Angeles and chair of its Spring Break benefit;<ref>{{cite web |title=Spring Break |url=https://www.cityyear.org/los-angeles/events/spring-break |website=cityyear.org |accessdate=7 June 2019}}</ref> and ambassador for the Women in Film and [[Sundance Institute]]'s ReFrame Project.<ref name="takefive"/>


==Filmography==
==Filmography==
{| style="width:100%;"
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| width="45%" |
'''Producer'''
'''Producer'''
{{colbegin|colwidth=22em}}
* ''[[I Know What You Did Last Summer]]'' (1997)
* ''[[I Know What You Did Last Summer]]'' (1997)
* ''[[I Still Know What You Did Last Summer]]'' (1998)
* ''[[I Still Know What You Did Last Summer]]'' (1998)
Line 76: Line 67:
* ''[[Luckiest Girl Alive (film)|Luckiest Girl Alive]]'' (2022)
* ''[[Luckiest Girl Alive (film)|Luckiest Girl Alive]]'' (2022)
* ''[[Am I OK?]]'' (2022)
* ''[[Am I OK?]]'' (2022)
* ''[[Theater Camp]]'' (2023)
* ''[[Sharper (film)|Sharper]]'' (2023)
* ''[[Strays (2023 film)|Strays]]'' (2023)
* ''[[Strays (2023 film)|Strays]]'' (2023)
* ''[[Borderlands (film)|Borderlands]]'' (TBA)
* ''[[Borderlands (film)|Borderlands]]'' (2024)
* ''[[Sharper (film)|Sharper]]'' (TBA)
* ''[[Bad Genius (2024 film)|Bad Genius]]'' (2024)
* ''[[Sweethearts (2024 film)|Sweethearts]]'' (2024)
Animorphs TBA
* ''Animorphs'' (TBA)
\
{{colend}}
| width="55%" |
'''Executive producer'''
'''Executive producer'''
{{colbegin|colwidth=22em}}
* ''[[Dot the i]]'' (2003)
* ''[[Dot the i]]'' (2003)
* ''[[Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005 film)|Mr. & Mrs. Smith]]'' (2005)
* ''[[Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005 film)|Mr. & Mrs. Smith]]'' (2005)
Line 89: Line 83:
* ''[[Wrong Turn 3: Left for Dead]]'' (2009)
* ''[[Wrong Turn 3: Left for Dead]]'' (2009)
* ''[[Wrong Turn 4: Bloody Beginnings]]'' (2011)
* ''[[Wrong Turn 4: Bloody Beginnings]]'' (2011)
* ''[[Wrong Turn 5: Bloodlines]]'' (2012)
* ''[[Wrong Turn 6: Last Resort]]'' (2014)
* ''[[Uncle Drew]]'' (2018)
* ''[[Uncle Drew]]'' (2018)
* ''[[The Spy Who Dumped Me]]'' (2018)
* ''[[The Spy Who Dumped Me]]'' (2018)
* ''[[Chaos Walking (film)|Chaos Walking]]'' (2021)
* ''[[Chaos Walking (film)|Chaos Walking]]'' (2021)
* ''[[Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies]]'' (Television series) (2023)

{{colend}}
| width="50%" |
|}


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 17:06, 6 October 2024

Erik Feig
Born
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Alma materVanderbilt University
Columbia University (BA)
OccupationFilm executive
Years active1997–present
TitleFounder and CEO of Picturestart
Spouse
Susanna Felleman
​
(m. 2002)​
Children2

Erik Feig is an American film executive and producer.

Feig, a graduate of Columbia University, began his career in film as an independent producer. He worked for Summit Entertainment during the 2000s, before becoming president of production for Lionsgate. He left the company in 2018. In May 2019, Feig launched Picturestart, an independent production company.[1]

Early life and education

[edit]

Feig was born in Los Angeles, California, and raised in Westport, Connecticut.[2][3] He attended Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, for one year. After taking a year off to travel, he transferred to Columbia University in New York City, graduating with a BA in English in 1992.[3][4] At Columbia, Feig lived in East Campus and studied under James S. Shapiro, Annette Insdorf, and David Denby.[5]

Career

[edit]

Independent producing (1997-2000)

[edit]

Feig began his career as an independent producer, working with Sony Pictures producing films including I Know What You Did Last Summer, I Still Know What You Did Last Summer and Slackers, all for Sony Pictures.[4][6][7] He had a producing deal with Artisan Entertainment, before being recruited to run the film department at Summit Entertainment.[6]

Summit Entertainment (2001-11)

[edit]

In 1998 Summit Entertainment, a sales agent at the time, launched its own production department with Splendor and Kill the Man, and by 2001, Feig joined Summit as president of production and acquisitions.[2] He became a partner in 2007.[6][8]

Feig brought the Twilight book series to Summit after Paramount Pictures passed on it.[6] Although at the time the book had sold only 4,000 copies, Feig noted its strong following online, and its potential to be a franchise for the new studio.[8][9] He pursued the project and was able to make a deal with author Stephenie Meyer.[10] Feig secured the rights to all four books in February 2006.[8]

Lionsgate (2012-2019)

[edit]

Summit was sold to Lionsgate for $412.5 million in 2012,[11] and Feig was named president of production for Lionsgate Motion Picture Group.[4] In February 2014, he was promoted to co-president of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, overseeing film production and development for the Lionsgate and Summit labels.[12]

Feig first learned of La La Land at the Sundance Film Festival in 2014, when he met with Damien Chazelle, who pitched him his script for a Hollywood musical. At the time, the script was in development at Focus Features. Feig secured a $30 million budget for Lionsgate to produce the film, gambling on the unusual undertaking of an original Hollywood musical. Chazelle's first feature Whiplash had not yet been released when the deal was made.[13][14][15]

In February 2018, it was reported that Feig would be leaving Lionsgate, and that he has raised money to launch a new company focused on youth-oriented projects. Lionsgate is expected to be one of the investors in the new company.[16][17]

Picturestart

[edit]

In May 2019, Feig announced the launch of Picturestart, a "new media" company. Scholastic granted the company access to its IP.[18][1][19] Picturestart intends to produce four to six films and four to six TV series per year.[20]

Personal life

[edit]

Feig lives in Los Angeles, California, with his wife Susanna Felleman and their two children. They were married in New York in 2002.[2][3]

Filmography

[edit]

Producer

Executive producer

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Fleming, Mike Jr. (May 2, 2019). "Ex-Lionsgate Chief Erik Feig Launches Funded Production Shingle Picturestart; Warner Bros, Endeavor Content, BRON Key Backers". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 4, 2019. Retrieved June 7, 2019.
  2. ^ a b c "Weddings; Susanna Felleman, Erik Feig," Archived 2017-10-27 at the Wayback Machine The New York Times, May 19, 2002.
  3. ^ a b c "Take Five with Erik Feig '92," Archived 2017-12-26 at the Wayback Machine Columbia College Today, 2017.
  4. ^ a b c Block, Alex Ben (2012-02-09). "Erik Feig to Head Movie Production at Combined Summit-Lionsgate". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 2022-08-09. Retrieved 2023-07-06.
  5. ^ "Take Five with Erik Feig '92". Columbia College Today. 2017-09-15. Archived from the original on 2022-06-18. Retrieved 2022-05-14.
  6. ^ a b c d Finke, Nikki (2012-02-09). "EXCLUSIVE: Summit's Erik Feig To Be Named President Of Production Of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group". Deadline. Archived from the original on 2022-10-23. Retrieved 2023-07-06.
  7. ^ "Erik Feig," Archived 2018-02-16 at the Wayback Machine Variety. Accessed October 27, 2017.
  8. ^ a b c Barnes, Brooks (2008-11-19). "For Studio, Vampire Movie Is a Cinderella Story". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 2023-05-30. Retrieved 2023-07-06.
  9. ^ Likhtman, Asya (2015-03-18). "Erik Feig tells us his Hollywood life story". The Oxford Student. Archived from the original on 2021-08-04. Retrieved 2023-07-06.
  10. ^ Sperling, Nicole (16 July 2008). "'Twilight' hits Hollywood". EW.com. Archived from the original on 2014-10-24. Retrieved 2023-07-06.
  11. ^ McNary, Dave (2012-01-13). "Lionsgate buys Summit for $412.5 million". Variety. Archived from the original on 2023-05-08. Retrieved 2023-07-06.
  12. ^ Miller, Daniel (2014-02-25). "Erik Feig named co-president of Lionsgate's film group". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 2021-01-23. Retrieved 2023-07-06.
  13. ^ Anthony D'Alessandro, "Encore: How 'La La Land' Director Damien Chazelle, His Team & Lionsgate Faced The Music & Resurrected The Original Hollywood Musical," Archived 2019-12-29 at the Wayback Machine Deadline.com, February 17, 2017.
  14. ^ Ryan Faughnder, "With 'La La Land,' which hauled in 14 Oscar nominations, Lionsgate's gamble is paying off big," Archived 2020-02-14 at the Wayback Machine Los Angeles Times, January 24, 2017.
  15. ^ Peter Bart, "'La La Land,' Starz Deal Leaves Lionsgate Singing About Future," Archived 2019-09-09 at the Wayback Machine Deadline.com, December 21, 2016.
  16. ^ McNary, Dave (2018-02-20). "Lionsgate Film Execs Erik Feig, Patrick Wachsberger Plan Exit". Variety. Archived from the original on 2022-05-12. Retrieved 2023-07-06.
  17. ^ Masters, Kim (2018-02-20). "Lionsgate Shake-Up: Top Film Execs Plan Exit (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 2022-09-30. Retrieved 2023-07-06.
  18. ^ Kroll, Justin (May 2, 2019). "Veteran Producer and Exec Erik Feig Launches Media Company Picturestart". Variety. Archived from the original on May 2, 2019. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  19. ^ Kit, Borys (May 2, 2019). "Former Lionsgate Film Exec Erik Feig Launches New Production Banner". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on June 7, 2019. Retrieved June 7, 2019.
  20. ^ Faughnder, Ryan (May 2, 2019). "Former Lionsgate executive Erik Feig gets Warner Bros. backing for new company". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on June 7, 2019. Retrieved June 7, 2019.
[edit]
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