Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Names Erin Westerman as President

Erin Westerman has been named president of the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, where she will oversee all aspects of the development and production of Lionsgate’s slate of diversified theatrical film releases. Physical production will also report to Westerman. The announcement was made Thursday by Adam Fogelson, chair of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, to whom Westerman will report. 

“Erin’s profound impact on our studio cannot be overstated,” Fogelson said. “She has earned the respect of her peers and talent through hard work, incredible story sense, and great choices, whether related to cast or the direction of some of our most important IP. However, it is her fierce intelligence, passion for theatrical moviegoing, and ease of manner that have made Lionsgate an attractive home for filmmakers who continue to do their most creative work here. She is a true leader, and I’m looking forward to shaping our slate together.”

Westerman currently leads production or postproduction on Francis Lawrence’s “The Long Walk,” which is based on novel by Stephen King; the Ruben Fleischer-directed third installment of “Now You See Me franchise,” “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t;” Paul Feig’s thriller “The Housemaid,” the Michael Jackson biopic “Michael,” produced by Graham King and directed by Antoine Fuqua; Marc Webb’s “Day Drinker;” and  Kingdom Story Company’s “I Can Only Imagine 2,” extending Lionsgate’s presence in the faith-based space. 

Popular on Variety

Other films that are in development under Westerman’s leadership include “American Psycho,” “Monopoly,” “Naruto,” the reimagining of “Blair Witch Project” in partnership with Blumhouse and the continued expansion of the John Wick Universe with an animated prequel, an action spinoff and “John Wick: Chapter Five.”

Westerman joined Lionsgate in 2017 and helped with the success of the third and fourth chapters of the John Wick franchise, “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes,” “Knives Out” and  “Bombshell.” Before joining Lionsgate, she was head of development at Good Universe and produced films “The Disaster Artist,” “Neighbors 2,” “Always Be My Maybe” and “Don’t Breathe.” She began her career as a production executive at Walt Disney Studios, overseeing productions for films such as “Cinderella” and “Into the Woods.”