Megan Ellison is one step closer to taking over Hollywood. Annapurna Pictures is launching a full-service distribution and marketing operation, a press release has announced. The first project they’ll release is Oscar winner Kathryn Bigelow’s “Untitled Detroit Project,” a drama set against the backdrop of Detroit’s 1967 riots. Annapurna also produced the film, written by Mark Boal, who previously collaborated with Bigelow on “The Hurt Locker” and “Zero Dark Thirty.”
“Marc Weinstock, who recently joined the company as President, will oversee the new division alongside President of Marketing, David Kaminow; President of Distribution, Erik Lomis; and their respective teams,” the release notes. We’re thrilled to see Ellison continue her ascent, and the fact that the division’s first release will be a woman-directed film is heartening, but we were disappointed to see that — based on the information provided — the operation seems to have lined up men for its most prominent positions. Still, it’s early days, and Ellison has shown support for films by and about women in the past (such as Ana Lily Amirpour’s “The Bad Batch,” “20th Century Women,” and Bigelow’s “Zero Dark Thirty”), so we’re optimistic about women having a place in marketing and distribution at Annapurna.
The release date of the “Untitled Detroit Project” will coincide with the 50th anniversary of the riots, so expect the highly anticipated film to hit theaters this July. The ensemble cast includes Anthony Mackie (“Captain America: Civil War”), Hannah Murray (“Game of Thrones”), John Boyega (“Star Wars: The Force Awakens”), Kaitlyn Dever (“Justified”), and John Krasinski (“The Office”).
“Kathryn took a chance on me six years ago and I’m honored that she has put her faith in me and my team once again,” commented Ellison. “I could not be more excited to be launching this new part of our company with such a groundbreaking filmmaker, tremendous collaborator, and dear friend.”
Bigelow added, “Megan has been such a huge supporter of filmmakers as a producer and the fact that she is now offering a full-fledged distribution and marketing home run by such innovative and creative executives is great news to all of us. I am thrilled to be working with them.”
Since launching in 2011, Annapurna Pictures has earned 31 Academy Award nominations.
It was recently revealed that Annapurna Television will produce a limited series adaptation of Maria Semple’s bestselling novel “Today Will Be Different” starring Julia Roberts. Semple is writing the adaptation. It will mark the first series under the company’s new TV initiative, which is being led by Ellison and President of Television Sue Naegle. Roberts will produce the series through her Red Om Films banner with Semple, Ellison, and Naegle serving as executive producers.
Bigelow is the only woman to ever win the Oscar for Best Director. She received the honor in 2010 for “The Hurt Locker.”
