In early 2021, Megan Ellison emerged from a self-imposed Hollywood exile and did something she hadn’t done in over a year: She signed on to back a movie, Nimona. There was a time when this would not have been remarkable, when Ellison’s Annapurna Pictures was producing five films a year and she was considered the industry’s own Medici, the premier patron of prestige cinema. But Ellison had backed away from Hollywood in 2019 after a series of missteps and become elusive even to some of her own executives. When her former distribution chief, Erik Lomis, asked her whether she wanted to look at some reels of Nimona, which was about to get axed in Disney’s closure of Blue Sky Animation, “I wasn’t really engaging in new film projects at the time,” Ellison said, answering THR’s questions by email. “But being curious, I said yes.”
Ellison loved...
Ellison loved...
- 3/6/2024
- by Mia Galuppo and Rebecca Keegan
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Former Disney animation execs Robert Baird and Andrew Millstein have joined Megan Ellison’s Annapurna to establish and co-lead an Animation division at the independent studio.
The first film set for release via Annapurna’s new division is Nimona, directed by Nick Bruno and Troy Quane and produced by Julie Zackary and Karen Ryan. The film set for release on Netflix next year follows Nimona (Chloë Grace Moretz) who is the only person that can help Knight Ballister Boldheart (Riz Ahmed) to prove his innocence, when he is framed for a crime he didn’t commit.
Baird and Millstein previously headed Fox/Disney’s Blue Sky Studios, where they led over 500 filmmakers and were responsible for the development and production of Blue Sky’s feature animation slate. Millstein also previously served as President of Walt Disney Animation Studios, with the company during his tenure releasing such blockbuster hits as Big Hero 6,...
The first film set for release via Annapurna’s new division is Nimona, directed by Nick Bruno and Troy Quane and produced by Julie Zackary and Karen Ryan. The film set for release on Netflix next year follows Nimona (Chloë Grace Moretz) who is the only person that can help Knight Ballister Boldheart (Riz Ahmed) to prove his innocence, when he is framed for a crime he didn’t commit.
Baird and Millstein previously headed Fox/Disney’s Blue Sky Studios, where they led over 500 filmmakers and were responsible for the development and production of Blue Sky’s feature animation slate. Millstein also previously served as President of Walt Disney Animation Studios, with the company during his tenure releasing such blockbuster hits as Big Hero 6,...
- 12/1/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Sue Naegle has stepped down from Annapurna after nearly 6 years as Chief Content Officer, according to an individual with knowledge of the company.
The company won’t replace her at this time. On top of overseeing film, Naegle also oversaw television and theater.
Naegle’s departure is said to be amicable as she will now focus on producing, which includes a number of projects she put into development at Annapurna, according to Deadline which first reported the news.
Several senior executives at the company will take over Naegle’s responsibilities which include President Nathan Gary, chief operating officer Chris Corabi, Film division heads Christina Oh and Adam Paulsen, and TV division heads Ali Krug and Patrick Chu.
Previously, Naegle was the President of Entertainment at HBO until 2016, then left for Annapurna to launch the television division. Naegle was promoted to Chief Content Officer in 2019, adding film oversight to her purview.
The company won’t replace her at this time. On top of overseeing film, Naegle also oversaw television and theater.
Naegle’s departure is said to be amicable as she will now focus on producing, which includes a number of projects she put into development at Annapurna, according to Deadline which first reported the news.
Several senior executives at the company will take over Naegle’s responsibilities which include President Nathan Gary, chief operating officer Chris Corabi, Film division heads Christina Oh and Adam Paulsen, and TV division heads Ali Krug and Patrick Chu.
Previously, Naegle was the President of Entertainment at HBO until 2016, then left for Annapurna to launch the television division. Naegle was promoted to Chief Content Officer in 2019, adding film oversight to her purview.
- 3/26/2022
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
Annapurna’s chief content officer Sue Naegle is stepping down from her post, Variety has confirmed.
The show business veteran had served as Annapurna CEO Megan Ellison’s top content executive for nearly six years, and helped buttress the indie company through the pandemic and other periods of great uncertainty. Naegle is said to be focusing on her forthcoming slate as a producer. Some of those projects were developed and will continue at Annapurna, including the anticipated Amy Adams-led adaptation of “Nightbitch” shooting this fall.
Insiders close to the company said that Naegle departs amicably and will not be replaced, and the current leadership structure will move to absorb her duties. This includes Annapurna president Nathan Gary, chief operating officer Chris Corabi, and creative executives including Christina Oh and Adam Paulsen in film and Ali Krug and Patrick Chu in television.
An Annapurna spokesperson did not immediately provide comment on the matter.
The show business veteran had served as Annapurna CEO Megan Ellison’s top content executive for nearly six years, and helped buttress the indie company through the pandemic and other periods of great uncertainty. Naegle is said to be focusing on her forthcoming slate as a producer. Some of those projects were developed and will continue at Annapurna, including the anticipated Amy Adams-led adaptation of “Nightbitch” shooting this fall.
Insiders close to the company said that Naegle departs amicably and will not be replaced, and the current leadership structure will move to absorb her duties. This includes Annapurna president Nathan Gary, chief operating officer Chris Corabi, and creative executives including Christina Oh and Adam Paulsen in film and Ali Krug and Patrick Chu in television.
An Annapurna spokesperson did not immediately provide comment on the matter.
- 3/26/2022
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
Annapurna has promoted its interactive chief Nathan Gary to president of the company.
Megan Ellison, CEO of the indie studio, announced on Friday that Gary will now oversee all of the company’s divisions, including film, TV, theater and interactive. He joins the existing executive team of Ellison, chief content officer Sue Naegle and Chris Corabi, president of legal and business affairs. With Gary’s promotion, Deborah Mars and Nathan Vella will now co-head interactive.
“Nathan has helped build Annapurna Interactive from the ground up, showing impressive leadership as well as the innate ability to identify and foster creative voices,” Ellison said in a statement. “I respect and appreciate Nathan’s vision, instincts and acumen and can’t think of a better person to help lead Annapurna as we continue to thrive in film, television, theatre and interactive.”
The interactive group was founded in 2016 with Gary and AI executive James Masi,...
Megan Ellison, CEO of the indie studio, announced on Friday that Gary will now oversee all of the company’s divisions, including film, TV, theater and interactive. He joins the existing executive team of Ellison, chief content officer Sue Naegle and Chris Corabi, president of legal and business affairs. With Gary’s promotion, Deborah Mars and Nathan Vella will now co-head interactive.
“Nathan has helped build Annapurna Interactive from the ground up, showing impressive leadership as well as the innate ability to identify and foster creative voices,” Ellison said in a statement. “I respect and appreciate Nathan’s vision, instincts and acumen and can’t think of a better person to help lead Annapurna as we continue to thrive in film, television, theatre and interactive.”
The interactive group was founded in 2016 with Gary and AI executive James Masi,...
- 11/5/2021
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
Annapurna has elevated Annapurna Interactive (AI) President Nathan Gary to President of Annapurna.
In his new position, Gary will take on the central leadership role overseeing all divisions, film, TV, theater, and interactive. He will join the executive team alongside founder and CEO Megan Ellison, Chief Content Officer Sue Naegle, and President of Legal and Business Affairs Chris Corabi.
Gary and AI executive James Masi, alongside Ellison, co-founded Annapurna Interactive in 2016 and have built the company’s Interactive business.
As Gary moves into his new position at Annapurna, Deborah Mars and Nathan Vella of Annapurna Interactive will now co-head the studio’s interactive division.
During Annapurna Interactive’s run, they’ve launched such games as the BAFTA Best Game award winners What Remains of Edith Finch and Outer Wilds.
Annapurna Interactive’s portfolio also includes Gorogoa, If Found…, Sayonara Wild Hearts, Donut Country, Florence, Telling Lies, The Pathless, Last Stop,...
In his new position, Gary will take on the central leadership role overseeing all divisions, film, TV, theater, and interactive. He will join the executive team alongside founder and CEO Megan Ellison, Chief Content Officer Sue Naegle, and President of Legal and Business Affairs Chris Corabi.
Gary and AI executive James Masi, alongside Ellison, co-founded Annapurna Interactive in 2016 and have built the company’s Interactive business.
As Gary moves into his new position at Annapurna, Deborah Mars and Nathan Vella of Annapurna Interactive will now co-head the studio’s interactive division.
During Annapurna Interactive’s run, they’ve launched such games as the BAFTA Best Game award winners What Remains of Edith Finch and Outer Wilds.
Annapurna Interactive’s portfolio also includes Gorogoa, If Found…, Sayonara Wild Hearts, Donut Country, Florence, Telling Lies, The Pathless, Last Stop,...
- 11/5/2021
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
The transformation of Annapurna continues.
Nathan Gary, the president of the company’s interactive division, has been elevated to president of Annapurna, the company announced Friday.
In his new role, Gary will take on the central leadership role overseeing all divisions: film, TV, theater and interactive. He joins the executive team alongside founder Megan Ellison, chief content officer Sue Naegle, and president of legal and business affairs Chris Corabi.
The move occurs as Annapurna, whose recent films include Bombshell and Booksmart, is in rebuilding mode after debt issues and layoffs in 2019 and 2020 forced the company to scale down its ambitions. In late ...
Nathan Gary, the president of the company’s interactive division, has been elevated to president of Annapurna, the company announced Friday.
In his new role, Gary will take on the central leadership role overseeing all divisions: film, TV, theater and interactive. He joins the executive team alongside founder Megan Ellison, chief content officer Sue Naegle, and president of legal and business affairs Chris Corabi.
The move occurs as Annapurna, whose recent films include Bombshell and Booksmart, is in rebuilding mode after debt issues and layoffs in 2019 and 2020 forced the company to scale down its ambitions. In late ...
- 11/5/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
The transformation of Annapurna continues.
Nathan Gary, the president of the company’s interactive division, has been elevated to president of Annapurna, the company announced Friday.
In his new role, Gary will take on the central leadership role overseeing all divisions: film, TV, theater and interactive. He joins the executive team alongside founder Megan Ellison, chief content officer Sue Naegle, and president of legal and business affairs Chris Corabi.
The move occurs as Annapurna, whose recent films include Bombshell and Booksmart, is in rebuilding mode after debt issues and layoffs in 2019 and 2020 forced the company to scale down its ambitions. In late ...
Nathan Gary, the president of the company’s interactive division, has been elevated to president of Annapurna, the company announced Friday.
In his new role, Gary will take on the central leadership role overseeing all divisions: film, TV, theater and interactive. He joins the executive team alongside founder Megan Ellison, chief content officer Sue Naegle, and president of legal and business affairs Chris Corabi.
The move occurs as Annapurna, whose recent films include Bombshell and Booksmart, is in rebuilding mode after debt issues and layoffs in 2019 and 2020 forced the company to scale down its ambitions. In late ...
- 11/5/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Independent video game publisher Annapurna Interactive is setting up a new internal game development studio in Los Angeles.
The studio is currently hiring a team of developers, including game director and senior producer, to work on an untitled project.
“We’ve had the immense honor of working with some of the most talented independent game creators in the world,” Annapurna Interactive president Nathan Gary said in a statement. “Many of us came from an internal development background and are excited to make this a part of Annapurna Interactive moving forward. We can’t wait to share more about what’...
The studio is currently hiring a team of developers, including game director and senior producer, to work on an untitled project.
“We’ve had the immense honor of working with some of the most talented independent game creators in the world,” Annapurna Interactive president Nathan Gary said in a statement. “Many of us came from an internal development background and are excited to make this a part of Annapurna Interactive moving forward. We can’t wait to share more about what’...
- 10/29/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Independent video game publisher Annapurna Interactive is setting up a new internal game development studio in Los Angeles.
The studio is currently hiring a team of developers, including game director and senior producer, to work on an untitled project.
“We’ve had the immense honor of working with some of the most talented independent game creators in the world,” Annapurna Interactive president Nathan Gary said in a statement. “Many of us came from an internal development background and are excited to make this a part of Annapurna Interactive moving forward. We can’t wait to share more about what’...
The studio is currently hiring a team of developers, including game director and senior producer, to work on an untitled project.
“We’ve had the immense honor of working with some of the most talented independent game creators in the world,” Annapurna Interactive president Nathan Gary said in a statement. “Many of us came from an internal development background and are excited to make this a part of Annapurna Interactive moving forward. We can’t wait to share more about what’...
- 10/29/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
After five years building up its film credits with such projects as Zero Dark Thirty and 20th Century Women, Annapurna Pictures has set its sights on the gaming industry.
The company run by Megan Ellison is launching an interactive division focused on producing and publishing video games.
It's been expected for some time after a string of gaming hires from Sony — including designer Nathan Gary and three other top games executives — sparked speculation about Ellison's next move.
Annapurna Interactive will create what it calls "personal, emotional and original games that push the boundaries of...
The company run by Megan Ellison is launching an interactive division focused on producing and publishing video games.
It's been expected for some time after a string of gaming hires from Sony — including designer Nathan Gary and three other top games executives — sparked speculation about Ellison's next move.
Annapurna Interactive will create what it calls "personal, emotional and original games that push the boundaries of...
- 12/1/2016
- by Natalie Jarvey
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
On Nov. 7, 20th Century Fox marketing president Marc Weinstock became the latest in a string of executives to make the move to Megan Ellison's Annapurna Pictures, joining onetime HBO president Sue Naegle and former Weinstein Co. distribution chief Erik Lomis.
The high-profile hires — particularly Weinstock and Lomis — have led to speculation that Ellison, 30, will move into full distribution. But according to a source, Ellison is thinking much bigger.
Four top Sony games execs, including designer Nathan Gary, also have quietly defected to Annapurna in recent months — a seemingly unlikely fit given Ellison's focus on adult-skewing indie dramas that risk-averse...
The high-profile hires — particularly Weinstock and Lomis — have led to speculation that Ellison, 30, will move into full distribution. But according to a source, Ellison is thinking much bigger.
Four top Sony games execs, including designer Nathan Gary, also have quietly defected to Annapurna in recent months — a seemingly unlikely fit given Ellison's focus on adult-skewing indie dramas that risk-averse...
- 11/16/2016
- by Tatiana Siegel
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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