Focus Features President Robert Walak Steps Down; Moves To Consulting Role With Studio

Focus Features

Robert Walak is stepping down as president of Universal’s Focus Features and moving into an advisory consulting role with the specialty studio, according to an individual with knowledge of the situation. There is currently no plan to replace Walak’s position.

Walak, who joined the company in 2016 after stints at The Weinstein Company and Universal Pictures International, will continue to work with Focus on projects he helped shepherd into development during his tenure.

Veteran Focus exec Kiska Higgs will continue to oversee acquisitions and production, with the specialty studio leadership remaining under chairman Peter Kujawski and vice chairman Jason Cassidy.

Also Read: Focus Features Closes Deal for James Gray's 'Armageddon Time' (Exclusive)

During Walak’s four-year run, the studio’s films have garnered an impressive 28 Academy Awards nominations from prestige pics like Jeff Nichols’ “Loving,” Joe Wright’s “Darkest Hour,” Paul Thomas Anderson’s “Phantom Thread,” Spike Lee’s “BlacKkKlansman” and Kasi Lemmons’ “Harriet.”

Walak, who was based in London for much of his time at the studio, was instrumental in championing the move of “Downton Abbey” to the big screen — where it became Focus’ biggest box office hit, grossing more that $192 million worldwide.

“Personally, I have been incredibly lucky to work with someone who is not only a good friend, but a role model for excellent taste, know-how and commitment to the belief that great films can change the world, Focus chairman Peter Kujawski said in a statement to TheWrap. “Collectively, we have all been incredibly lucky to work with an individual who prioritizes colleagues and artists as people first and who shepherds projects and processes with a sense of empathy and joy that is as productive as it is infectious.”

“When we took over the leadership at Focus over four years ago we strove to create a home for top-class filmmakers to bring their distinctive stories to a global theatrical audience and we achieved that. I’m stepping down from my role knowing that Focus has one of the most exciting and diverse slates going forward,” Walak added. “I’m excited to continue collaborating with Peter, Jason and the unmatched team at Focus in my new role and look forward to future projects.”

Deadline first reported the news.

'Downton Abbey' and 10 More Excellent Shows That Never Won the Top Emmy (Photos)

On Sunday night, "Downton Abbey" became the latest critically-acclaimed series to never win an Outstanding Series Emmy. Though it received high praise from critics, a loyal fanbase on both sides of the Atlantic and three Emmys for Maggie Smith, its hopes for the top prize fell over the last five years to juggernauts like "Breaking Bad" and "Game of Thrones." Here are some other series that never won -- and in some cases weren't even nominated -- or Outstanding Series.
PBS
Though it defined a decade and a generation's sense of humor, "The Simpsons" has never been nominated for Outstanding Comedy Series. It has won ten Emmys for Outstanding Animated Program, most recently in 2008 for an episode parodying "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind."
Fox
While "Parks and Recreation" was as much of a hit for NBC as "30 Rock" and "The Office," it didn't enjoy the Emmy success those shows did. "Parks and Rec" got two Outstanding Series nominations but lost to "Modern Family" and "Veep."
NBC
Before HBO became known as the king of Sunday night dramas, there was "Oz," a racially diverse and deeply disturbing drama inside a maximum-security prison. Though it paved the way for "The Sopranos," it only received two Emmy nominations in its entire six-year run for casting and guest actor.
HBO
"The Shield" earned Michael Chiklis a lead actor Emmy in 2002, but it never got a nomination for Outstanding Drama Series, even after its critically-acclaimed final season.
FX
Louis C.K. is one of the most talked about comedians today, but the show that helped push him into the mainstream, "Louie," has never been nominated for Outstanding Comedy Series, though it did get C.K. a writing Emmy in 2012.
FX
"Deadwood" was a gripping Western that helped continue the momentum for HBO that began with "Oz." But while it won the West in the creative categories, it lost its only Outstanding Drama Series potential victory to "Lost."
HBO
While "Game of Thrones" has opened up the Emmy voters to awarding genre shows, "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" did not have such a luxury. Though it made Joss Whedon a household name and had an enormous influence on the Golden Age of Television that followed, it only received one nomination outside of the creative categories, even as the media outrage grew in fervor with every passing year.
The cast of "Roseanne" got plenty of Emmy nods with four wins and 17 nominations. But when it came to Outstanding Comedy Series, it was completely shut out, as "Frasier" went on its famed five-year winning streak.
ABC
"Friday Night Lights" gave an emotionally honest look at a part of the world some casually dismiss as "flyover country." After five years of quietly doing its magic without much Emmy recognition, it finally got a writing award and lead actor award in its final season. Unfortunately, its one bid at an Outstanding Series trophy lost out that year to "Mad Men," which won in that category for the fourth straight year.
NBC
David Simon's classic, "The Wire" never received an Outstanding Drama Series nomination. In fact, it didn't get any acting nominations either. Although it received two writing nominations -- including one for its series finale -- it lost both. Some critics have labeled its omission as the equivalent of Stanley Kubrick never winning a directing Oscar.
HBO

1 of 11

The period drama now joins famous Emmy snubs like “Parks and Recreation,” “Louie” and “The Wire”

On Sunday night, "Downton Abbey" became the latest critically-acclaimed series to never win an Outstanding Series Emmy. Though it received high praise from critics, a loyal fanbase on both sides of the Atlantic and three Emmys for Maggie Smith, its hopes for the top prize fell over the last five years to juggernauts like "Breaking Bad" and "Game of Thrones." Here are some other series that never won -- and in some cases weren't even nominated -- or Outstanding Series.

View In Gallery