Universal Pictures Hires Fox Exec Matt Reilly as EVP of Production Development

Trey Williams

Universal Pictures has nabbed Fox production executive Matt Reilly to serve as the studio’s new executive vice president of production development.

Reilly becomes the latest Twentieth Century Fox employee to leave the lot as the 80-plus year old studio prepares to merge with the Walt Disney Company. The announcement of Reilly’s hire was made on Monday by Universal Pictures president Peter Cramer, to whom Reilly will report.

“Matt has experienced success at the studio level developing breakout franchises, while also working on a wide portfolio of titles,” Cramer said in a statement. “His great filmmaker and talent relationships, along with the ability to identify and develop unique projects, will allow him to quickly contribute to building Universal’s diverse slate.”

Also Read: Universal Pictures Makes Key Changes to Production Development Team

Reilly spent the last six years at Fox, most recently shepherding the launch of the popular “Kingsman” franchise, as senior vice president of production. He also oversaw titles including “Eddie the Eagle” and “The Predator,” as well as developing and packaging “Patriot’s Day.”

Before joining Fox as a vice president of production in 2013, Reilly helped launch Rough House Pictures with partners David Gordon Green, Danny McBride and Jody Hill. The company recently produced Universal’s 2018 blockbuster “Halloween.”

Reilly began his career at Warner Bros. as a creative executive in 2004 before being promoted to vice president of production in 2007. At Warner Bros. he helped to secure the LEGO™ rights, packaged and developed “The LEGO Movie” with producers Dan Lin and Roy Lee, and then hired now Academy Award-winners Phil Lord and Chris Miller to write and direct it.

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Among other titles, Reilly also oversaw development and production on “The Town,” “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” and “Michael Clayton.”

Reilly is latest addition to a changing Universal production team. Last week Universal upped veteran studio executive Erik Baiers to senior executive vice president of production development as part of a number of key moves in the production development group.

In addition to Baiers, Jay Polidoro and Sara Scott were promoted to senior vice presidents of production development, and Lexi Barta was promoted to director of development. Baiers, Polidoro, Scott and Barta will all report to Cramer at the top.

Read original story Universal Pictures Hires Fox Exec Matt Reilly as EVP of Production Development At TheWrap