Lionsgate president of domestic distribution David Spitz has signed a long-term deal with the company that will keep him in the top post.
Joe Drake, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group chairman, announced the renewal Thursday.
Spitz has spent more than two decades at Lionsgate, rising up the ranks to president of theatrical distribution. He helped launch The Hunger Games franchise, and, more recently, shepherded the release of Paul Feig’s sleeper hit A Simple Favor, now in theaters; Wonder; The Hitman’s Bodyguard; La La Land; and Hacksaw Ridge. Others include Tyler Perry’s films and the Saw franchise.
Spitz has also been instrumental in helping to build the Pantelion film brand, home of Overboard, How to Be a Latin Lover and Instructions Not Included, the highest-grossing Spanish-language film ever released in the U.S. And he’s aided in establishing Lionsgate’s Codeblack Films as a prominent urban film label.
“He [David] has great relationships with exhibitors, talent and our studio partners and a deep understanding of the right release dates and best distribution strategies for our movies. He will continue to be an integral part of our motion picture leadership team in the years ahead,” Drake said in a statement.
Added Spitz: “I look forward to the enormous opportunities that lie ahead for our company, our industry and our theatrical moviegoing audiences.”
Upcoming Lionsgate 2018 releases include action-thriller Hunter Killer (Oct. 26) and Robin Hood (Nov. 21), starring Taron Egerton as the titular hero.
Spitz grew up in the entertainment business; his father, the late Jimmy Spitz, was a veteran studio distribution head.
