Lionsgate Shake-Up: Adam Fogelson to Lead Film Group As Joe Drake Steps Away

Etan Vlessing
·3 min read
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Lionsgate has tapped Adam Fogelson to succeed Joe Drake as chair of its movie division.

It’s understood Drake initiated the transition as he works with Fogelson — currently vice-chair of the Motion Picture Group and overseeing the worldwide marketing and theatrical distribution — over the coming months to ensure a smooth succession.

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Former STX Film chief Fogelson joined Lionsgate in September 2022 and reported to Drake, chair of the studio’s Motion Picture Group. His move to Lionsgate followed the Hollywood studio exploring a possible takeover of STX, a deal that didn’t come to pass.

Drake rejoined Lionsgate in 2017 after running Good Universe Pictures, the second company acquired by Lionsgate from Drake. He reentered a studio different from the one he left in 2012 as Lionsgate had moved beyond its hit Hunger Games and Twilight franchises to leverage a diversified portfolio of film and TV properties across multiple platforms, especially after acquiring Starz.

During his second tenure, the Motion Picture Group has had success with Knives Out, the last two John Wick movies, relaunching the Hunger Games franchise with The Battle of Songbirds and Snakes and the latest installment in the Saw franchise.

“Joe has been a great partner and a respected team leader, a truly entrepreneurial executive with one of the best business minds in the industry,” Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer said in a statement.

“We are very fortunate to have Adam Fogelson, one of Hollywood’s most accomplished and innovative film executives, to succeed him. Adam has the leadership experience at both the major studio and independent level as well as the strategic vision to keep our Motion Picture Group strong and vibrant in a fast-changing environment,” Feltheimer added.

Before co-founding Good Universe in 2012, Drake served as Lionsgate co-COO and Motion Picture Group president for five years and launched the Hunger Games and Expendables franchises before leaving in the wake of the studio acquiring Summit Entertainment.

Drake inked his latest long term deal to stay at the Hollywood studio as chair of the Motion Picture Group in Oct. 2022. He added in his own statement Fogelson was the right pick for his successor.

“Having worked side by side with Adam for the past 18 months, he is the perfect choice to lead the motion picture group forward to even greater heights,” he said.

Over his eight years at STX Entertainment, Fogelson had  credits that included Hustlers, Greenland, the Bad Moms franchise, The Upside, The Gift, Molly’s Game and The Gentlemen. Before joining STX, Fogelson was chairman of Universal Pictures.

“I deeply appreciate the trust and confidence that Jon, Michael, Joe and the rest of the management team have placed in me and I look forward to embarking on this next chapter together,” said Fogelson in another statement.

Before STX, Fogelson worked at Universal Pictures as chairman for four years, which included overseeing the Fast and Furious franchise.

Drake getting set to leave Lionsgate also comes as its studio business, comprising Lionsgate’s TV production and Motion Picture Group divisions and a 20,000-title film and TV library, are set to be combined as Lionsgate Studios with Screaming Eagle Acquisition Corp., a special-purpose acquisition rights company, ahead of a planned separation of the studio business from Starz.

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