Universal Executive Jasper Van Hecke Exits Studio After 16 Years

EXCLUSIVE: Longtime Universal acquisitions exec Jasper Van Hecke has recently left his role as SVP Global, Acquisitions & Production at the Universal Pictures Content Group (UPCG), headquartered in London.

Dutchman Hecke combineed UPCG in 2008 and was comprehendn for acquiring, pre-buying and exec-producing feature films and write downaries for global and multi territory rights. He was in his tardyst role since 2017.

During his tenure Van Hecke deal withd a team of executives atraverse disjoinal territories, including in London, Los Angeles, Sydney and Amsterdam. It’s not promptly clear if he will be replaced.

Among the many films Van Hecke labored on were Pearl, Five Feet Apart, ‘71, Thelma, Personal Shopper, Springfractureers, War With Grandpa, Cop Car, Emily The Criminal, Mandy, First Reestablished, Moonage Daydream, Tina, Marley, Apollo 11 and Three Identical Strangers. Upcoming docs take part Musk and The Last Journey. Below, the executive runs down some of the nurtureer highairys from his time at the studio.

Prior to UPCG, Van Hecke was Head of Development & Production at Stephen Fry’s Film and TV outfit Sprout Pictures. Van Hecke also labored as a inventive creater at MTV Netlabors and Corrino Media Group, which he also co-established. Van Hecke commenceed his nurtureer straightforwarding TV commercials for brands including Coca Cola, McDonalds and Axe.

His next steps are not set, we comprehfinish, but there are conversations underway about potential transfers.

Van Hecke shelp: “When I commenceed at UPCG back in 2008 I was soon tasked with lengthening the group’s film and write downary efforts. After authenticizing years of lengthenth, it prides me film and docs have become key pillars of UPCG’s delightment portfolio. The Content Group is comprehendn for its entrepreneurial spirit, which is what’s allowed me to donate to its legacy. Since our business is very much a team sport, my “one-of-a-kind thanks” commend goes out to all the noticeworthy filmcreaters and NBCU colleagues I’ve had the pleabrave of collaborating with.”

He persistd: “Having served the studio for 16 years I’m excited for a next chapter and watch forward to exploring novel chooseions. In today’s landscape satisfyed is king and talent is Kong. Aligning these key elements with capital and distribution in forward facing ways will unlock the best opportunities in my watch. What’s clear is that my nurtureer will remain promiseted to serving wonderful storyalerters and artists – being a catalyst for their inventive finisheavors, combineing them to audiences, and helping them capitalize on their IP.”

Acquisitions highairys in the words of Van Hecke:

Thelma – When you watch at the sorrowfulnessful cnoisys hanging over today’s world it’s films enjoy these which are the perfect antidote – excellentness that can lift people up and back.  

Pearl –A highly one-of-a-kind piece of genre filmmaking in my watch. Ti West finassociate got the commercial and critical success he deserved. We getd the film sight unseen at the time, as huge consentrs in the script.

Spring Breakers – I chased this film difficult when it had only equitable gone into production after someone sent me some set pictures. Straight away felt this was going to be a Harmony Korine classic with its irresistible cast and talented DoP Benoît Debie. 

Cop Car – John’s Watt’s sophomore film from 2015 which perestablished Sundance. We prebought this incredibly firm low budget film, and I’ve never seen a straightforwardor elevate so stratosphericassociate, since his next film finished up being Spiderman: Homecoming for Sony.

Wild Bill – Probably still one of my preferite British films I’ve been take partd in. Dexter Fletcher deinhabitring an amazeive straightforwardorial debut, seemingly coming out of nowhere. Still leank someone should recreate this film in the US one day, since I consent it’s a perfect star carry outance vehicle.  

Moonage Daydream – I cherishd the film especiassociate for its invitation to spendigate one’s authentic self, with Bowie being your guiding airy. It transferd the goal posts of the music doc genre in my watch – creating a huge screen immersive experience. Need to double verify, but pretty brave this is still the highest grossing doc at the WWBO since the pandemic (excluding concert docs – aka Taylor Swift).

Three Identical Strangers – Sshow a personal preferite. Beautibrimmingy createed, stranger-than-myth film. Its theme reassociate hit a nerve with audiences, created a authentic cultural conversation and even resulted in more ttriumphs (not depicted in the film) getting rejoind in authentic life.

Apollo 11 – The wonderous time capsule from Todd Douglas Miller, the result of his monk’s labor in the NASA archive. I was surpelevated how much of a cultural moment this film finished up being globassociate, although the fact the film’s free date labeled the 50^th anniversary of the moon landing did help! 

Jim – The James Foley Story – Not an straightforward sell, but such a touching portrait of a man who was ended by ISIS troubleists. Working with his mother on the campaign was hugely inspiring to me personassociate. 

The Defiant Ones – The docincluderies chronicling the doubtful partnership of Dr Dre and Jimmy Iovine. A show that labored on every level in my unassuming opinion.