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Sean Bailey (left) and David Greenbaum
The Walt Disney Company via Getty Images; Michael Loccisano/Getty Images
Sean Bailey, the producer-turned-executive who has overseen Walt Disney Studios’ live-action division for nearly 15 years, is leaving the studio.
In his place, David Greenbaum, who ran Searchlight Pictures with Matthew Greenfield, will assume the newly created role of president of live action for Disney and 20th Century Studios. Greenbaum will report to Disney Entertainment co-chairman Alan Bergman.
Steve Asbell continues to oversee 20th Century Studios as president, while Greenfield assumes exclusive oversight of Searchlight as president.
According to the studio’s announcement on Monday, in this new role, Greenbaum will lead “a combined studio group that will house both iconic film brands, producing a robust collection of original and legacy projects unique to each for theatrical and streaming, while also increasing collaboration around the world. production list.
The move is a leap for Greenbaum, who has demonstrated a strong track record in the prestige film space, along with his partner Greenfield. The pair were under the wing of former Searchlight bosses Nancy Utley and Steve Gilula, and in 2021 took over the top position. This year the company is in the race for awards with poor things, which has 11 nominations. Greenbaum has earned a reputation for being talent-friendly and jumping into awards races. This new work will be a different creative experience as it shapes the purveyor’s roster of Hollywood’s biggest film titles.
“David has an incredible creative sensibility and eye for film, and has earned a reputation as an exceptional creative leader and executive, as evidenced by his track record at Searchlight Pictures and his deep relationships across the industry,” Bergman said in a statement. . “I am delighted that he is taking on this important new role. We’ve been very fortunate to have a strong creative leader in Steve Asbell at 20th Century, and I’m excited to have him working closely with David as we look more strategically at both brands from a creative and operational standpoint. I also want to thank Sean Bailey for his many contributions and leadership during his tenure at Disney. Searchlight remains in excellent hands under the direction of Matthew Greenfield.”
Bailey’s departure has been rumored for several weeks, as his name has appeared at the top of the list as the executive most likely to replace Scott Stuber, the Netflix film chief who announced his departure in January. But this appears not to be the case, although it is not clear what changed.
Disney named Bailey president of production in 2010. He spearheaded a strategy to move away from original films to focus on remaking the company’s animated classics in live-action. It was a difficult strategy to argue with, as some films became billion-dollar blockbusters, including Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and The Lion King.
Bailey built his name as a partner with Ben Affleck and Matt Damon at the trio’s LivePlanet label, and was a producer on Affleck’s directorial debut, the highly regarded 2007 thriller. It’s gone baby, it’s gone.
His first post-executive role will be producing the Disney film. Tron: Ares. Other production projects will surely follow. “These 15 years at Disney have been an incredible journey, but the time is right for a new chapter. “I am deeply grateful to my exceptional team and proud of the success and history we have built together,” Bailey said in a statement. “I joined Disney while producing Tron: Legacyso it seems fitting that I have the opportunity to work on the latest tron while I’m leaving. I wish Bob Iger, Alan Bergman and all my incredible colleagues the best for a bright future.”
Bergman enthused in a statement: “(Sean) and his team have brought iconic stories and moments to the screen that have delighted fans around the world and will stand the test of time. I know he will continue to do great things and I couldn’t be happier for him to continue as a producer of Tron: Ares.”
During Greenbaum’s long tenure at Searchlight, the executive was involved in Oscar winners. The shape of water and nomadic land and projects like The Menu, The Favorite, Wild, The Grand Budapest Hoteland Black Swan. As a development executive at Miramax Films, he worked on films such as No country for old men and there will be blood. The price of prestige is in his DNA and it only makes his transition more interesting to watch.
“I want to thank Bob Iger and Alan Bergman for the extraordinary opportunity to continue the legacy of legendary and innovative storytelling at both Disney and 20th Century; “It is an honor and responsibility that I do not take lightly and I look forward to working with Steve Asbell and the teams,” said Greenbaum. “At the same time, the last 14 years working alongside and in partnership with my dear friend and colleague Matthew Greenfield have been unforgettable – Searchlight and the incredible team continue to be the standard for quality in our business, and I look forward to seeing their results. continued success for years to come.”