Warner Bros. Pictures Announces First-Look Deal With Robert Pattinson
Warner Bros. Pictures, New Line Cinema, Warner Bros. Television and HBO Max announced that they have established an overall first-look production deal with Robert Pattinson. The actor’s producing deal is for theatrical, SVOD (HBO Max) and WBTV properties.
“Warner Bros Pictures and HBO have always been synonymous with groundbreaking filmmaking,” Pattinson said. “I’m thrilled to be working with them to discover the most exciting new voices in film and television and help bring their visions to life. I’ve loved working with the studio over the years and have so much respect for their dedication, their willingness to take chances and their desire to push the envelope creatively.”
Pattinson has picked up the cowl and will be Warner Bros’ next live-action of the iconic Caped Crusader in Matt Reeves’ upcoming “The Batman,” which is set to release in theaters on March 4, 2022. He recently appeared alongside John David Washington in Christopher Nolan’s “Tenet,” Netflix’s “The Devil All The Time and A24’s “The Lighthouse.” The actor also played Edward Cullen in the “Twilight” saga as well as Cedric Diggory in “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.”
Courtenay Valenti, President, Production and Development for Warner Bros. Pictures, and Richard Brener, President & Chief Creative Officer of New Line Cinema said, “We have been incredibly impressed with Rob’s eye for identifying dynamic new filmmakers. Additionally, he is continually nurturing exciting story ideas into compelling screenplays. We are so excited that Warner Bros. and New Line will be his home and that we get to benefit from his creative, commercial passions.”
Pattinson is repped by WME, Curtis Brown, 3 Arts Entertainment, Narrative, and Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern.
American Society of Cinematographers Re-elects President Stephen Lighthill
The Board of Governors of the American Society of Cinematographers has re-elected Stephen Lighthill as president of the organization. He will serve his next one-year term alongside vice presidents Amy Vincent, Steven Fierberg and John Simmons; treasurer Steven Poster; secretary Gregg Heschong and sergeant-at-arms Jim Denault.
After serving his first term in 2012-13, Lighthill was elected president once again last year. He and his officers have focused on guiding the organization through the set of challenges brought by the global pandemic as well as helping members learn safe practices on set and sharing those findings with the industry at large. The organization also streamed its annual Outstanding Achievement Awards online for the first time, which was watched by over 4,500 people worldwide.
“As we safely emerge from the pandemic, we plan to continue to share our expertise on best practices for remote solutions and virtual production in service to the artistic process of filmmaking,” Lighthill said. “We also remain focused on recruiting diverse and inclusive crews as well as supporting underrepresented filmmakers through our scholarship and mentorship programs.”
As the discipline chair of the Cinematography at the American Film Institute Conservatory, Lighthill continuously advocates for gender diversity at both the faculty and graduate levels. He has also served as an officer on the national executive board of the International Cinematographers Guild. He was awarded the ASC Presidents Award in 2018 and the Society of Operating Cameramen’s President’s Award in 2000.
Founded in 1919, there are over ASC 420 members today who strive to inspire the next generation of cinematographers as well as advance the art of filmmaking through industry events and organizational initiatives. The society has over 20 committees leading the ASC’s various activities.
The Future Practices Committee advises ASC members and the industry on COVID-19 safety on set, while the Motion Imaging Technology Council focuses on virtual production and the newest tools available to cinematographers. Additionally, the Vision Committee is actively helping to advance underrepresented cinematographers, their crews and other filmmakers.
“We are following the recommended health and safety guidelines and look forward to relaunching some our events in person later this year, in addition to reopening our historic clubhouse,” Lighthill said.