Hollywood is a town where many people can say no and few people can say yes. The Wrap did a studio by studio look at the people in the town who can say yes, and no surprise, there are just a few women on the list. But greenlighting a movie in today’s world is not a one person job like in past eras, getting movies made at all the studios nowadays involves lots of people, especially the marketing folks. As the story says the days of gut feelings and relationships getting you a greenlight are pretty much over. If you can’t sell your film in China or Russia its probably not getting made since almost 70% of the money these movies make are made overseas.
But even after the committee weighs in there are the final arbiters. Here they are: (One thing to note is while there are several men who have sole greenlight authority, no woman does.)
Universal: Jeff Shell, chairman of Universal Filmed Entertainment Group and Donna Langley, chairman of Universal Pictures
Warner Brothers: Kevin Tsujihara, CEO — in consultation with marketing chief Sue Kroll and production chief Greg Silverman
Paramount: Brad Grey, Chairman — in consultation with Film Group Chief Adam Goodman and Vice Chairman Rob Moore
Disney: Chairman and CEO Bob Iger approves films with budgets over $200 million; and Walt Disney Studio Char Alan Horn runs the Disney brands which each brand head including Marvel — Kevin Feige; LucasFilm — Kathleen Kennedy; and Disney — Sean Bailey
Sony: Chairman and CEO Michael Lynton in consultation with Co-chair Amy Pascal
Fox: Jim Gianopulos, Fox Filmed Entertainment Chairman and CEO
Lionsgate: Jon Feltheimer, Lionsgate Co-Chairman and CEO
Relativity: Ryan Kavanaugh, Founder and CEO
Weinstein: Bob and Harvey Weinstein — Founders
Dreamworks: Jeffrey Katzenberg, CEO and Bill Damaschke, Chief Creative Officer in consultation with Ann Daly, COO.