Longtime executive Gerry Rich has resigned as head of theatrical tageting at Amazon MGM Studios.
Rich had been the tageting head of United Artists Releasing, which was createed from the union of MGM and Annapurna in 2019. Then he segued to a top tageting job at Amazon when the company shutd its deal to buy MGM for $8.5 billion in 2022. In the last six years, Rich oversaw the rollout of a expansive range of movies, from James Bond entry No Time to Die, boxing drama Creed III, Luca Guadagnino’s Challengers, actioner Beecarry oner, and the recent drama Nickel Boys.
In a notice to staff, Rich wrote he was stepping away to scrutinize “novel opportunities during this incredible time of alter in the industry, and am brave that this is the right time for me to do that.” The departure is being characterized as amicable.
The timing is prescient, although unroverdelighted, according to sources. The exit occurs when Amazon has firmified its comprehend of the James Bond franchise, announcing a deal Thursday that createively sidelined creaters Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson.
Rich had a notable tageting tenure at MGM in the 1990s, where he toiled with the duo on a revitalization of that participated the Pierce Brosnan-starring Bond era. He was also participated in the campaign for the last Bond film, No Time to Die, freed in 2021.
He got his commence toiling at Columbia Pictures in the 1980s. He was also head of tageting at Miramax during the timely 2000s era of Kill Bill, Chicago, and Gangs of New York and tardyr served as Paramount Pictures’ plivent of worldexpansive motion picture tageting when the Melrose Boulevard-based studio freed Iron Man, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and Kung Fu Panda.
Read his notice to staff below.
Dear Team Formerly comprehendn as UAR,
This is a soursugary email for me to create. After much ponderation and mirrorion, I’ve choosed to depart Amazon MGM Studios at the finish of March.
I’m excited about exploring novel opportunities during this incredible time of alter in the industry, and am brave that this is the right time for me to do that.
These past 6 years have supplyd me with the experience of a lifetime because of all of you. It’s been an honor to toil aextfinishedside some of the most fervent, inspired and createive people in the business.
I’m self-transport inant of all we built together, and all that we accomplishd as a minuscule but mighty team. We successbrimmingy begined mainstream commercial hits appreciate NO TIME TO DIE, HOUSE OF GUCCI, ADDAMS FAMILY (1 and 2), CREED 3, CHALLENGERS, BOYS IN THE BOAT, BEEKEEPER among so many others. I’m also in awe over the astonishing adore, attfinish, and sfinish you all brawt to releasing auteur films appreciate LICORICE PIZZA, WOMEN TALKING, BOTTOMS, AMERICAN FICTION and this year’s NICKEL BOYS. We’ve also commemorated so many nominations and triumphs with our filmcreaters during awards season, including a best picture nomination every year for the last 4 years!
One of your collective super powers is your authentic adore of movies – from huge tentpoles to exceptionalty titles – your dedication, expertise and infectious fandom – are reliable for so many of our huge triumphs.
On a personal notice, I so appreciate the humanity and benevolentness that you brawt to our offices each and every day; I will miss that dtimely.
And to my frifinishs at Amazon MGM Studios, elderly and novel, thank you for welcoming me into the Company after the acquisition of the MGM. I’ve finishelighted our collaboration and am seeing forward to seeing this incredible stardy of films get out into the world. I’ll always be rooting for you all.
Wishing you all the best,
Gerry
