Amy Pascal inked a first-look deal with Universal Pictures on Wednesday, ending her 20+ year relationship with Sony Pictures.
The Oscar-nominated producer served as chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment for two decades before stepping down and launching her production company Pascal Pictures in 2015.
“I can’t imagine anything more thrilling than making movies for Ron Meyer, Donna Langley and Peter Cramer at Universal,” Pascal said in a statement. “Donna’s vision for the company is inspirational on every level, from the brilliant leadership team she’s assembled, to the studio’s diverse selection of movies, to the impressive filmmaking partners who call Universal home.”
Pascal has established herself as one of the most influential producers in Hollywood, being a major force behind recent box office successes including “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,” “The Post” and “Molly’s Game.” Other recent box office hits include “Venom” and “Spider-Man: Homecoming,” each of which grossed more than $850 million worldwide. The announcement was made by Universal Pictures President Peter Cramer.
“Amy has a keen eye for projects that have both critical and commercial appeal, which we saw time and time again with the projects that she shepherded at Sony, as well as with the films that she is developing and producing now,” Cramer said in a statement. “We are thrilled to welcome Amy to the Universal family, and we know she will be an important contributor to our slate in the years to come.”
During Pascal’s tenure as Sony’s chairman, she and her team were responsible for titles such as “American Hustle,” “Captain Phillips,” the “Spider-Man” franchise, “Moneyball,” “The Social Network,” “21 Jump Street,” “Superbad,” “A League of Their Own,” “Groundhog Day” and the James Bond films “Casino Royale,” “Quantum of Solace” and “Skyfall,” to name a few.
“Amy has had one of the most prolific careers of anyone in our industry. I’ve been grateful to work alongside her throughout my career, previously as competition and now as partners,” Universal Filmed Entertainment Group Chairman Donna Langley said in a statement. “Her expertise, passion and sensibility for great storytelling is evident across each project she touches and we’re fortunate to benefit from her wealth of industry knowledge and her unparalleled relationships.”
Upcoming projects for Pascal include the highly-anticipated “Spider-Man: Far from Home,” starring Tom Holland, Jake Gyllenhaal, Samuel L. Jackson and Zendaya; a reboot of the film “Little Women,” directed by Greta Gerwig and starring Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Timothée Chalamet, Laura Dern, Florence Pugh and Meryl Streep; and she will soon begin production on “American Right” at Lionsgate.
Pascal was represented in the deal by CAA and attorney Alan Wertheimer.