Kevin Wilson Named Head Of Amazon Studios & MGM Theatrical Distribution – CinemaCon

Anthony D'Alessandro

25 April 2023 at 7:00 pm·4-min read

Kevin Wilson has officially been named Head of Theatrical Distribution for Amazon Studios and MGM as the parent company combines labels into one theatrical distribution group.

The news comes in the wake of the death of the previous Amazon-MGM distribution boss, Erik Lomis, who was the subject of a heartfelt remembrance Tuesday at CinemaCon by several including Chris Aronson; former MGM Motion Picture bosses Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy, now at Warner Bros; and as Warner Bros Domestic Distribution chief Jeff Goldstein.

More from Deadline

Recently, Amazon’s pivot back to theatrical saw the $272 million global success of Creed III and the current $69M global gross for Ben Affleck’s dramedy Air, about how Nike nabbed Michael Jordan to make the Air Jordan sneaker. Wilson is a longtime lieutenant of Lomis and is a distribution vet who has handled 100 films that in total grossed more that $7 billion stateside.

Wilson worked at Summit Entertainment and Open Road Films distribution, handling such pics as Best Picture Oscar winners Spotlight and The Hurt Locker; MGM’s Best Picture Oscar nominees Licorice Pizza and Women Talking; and overseeing the distribution of successful franchise films including Twilight and No Time to Die.

East Coast distribution vet Mark Boxer, who came to Amazon distribution during the Bob Berney era, has been named Head of Specialty Theatrical Distribution and will report in to Wilson’s group. He has overseen such Amazon Original Movies releases as Sound of Metal, Hotel Transylvania 4, Being the Ricardos and the day-and-date release of Coming 2 America. Prior to Amazon, Boxer was EVP Sales and Distribution at IFC Films, overseeing the release of award-winning pics including Boyhood. At Amazon, he will oversee specialty films releases; the studio’s Culver Theater space; and Prime Premiere releases. Boxer is also a former distribution vet of Sony and Savoy Pictures.

Here’s the latest note on Wilson’s promotion from Courtenay Valenti, Amazon Studios Head of Film, Theatrical & Streaming:

We are at a very dynamic and exciting time now that the integration of the MGM film group and Amazon Studios is complete. Six weeks ago, we combined the AOM and MGM creative development and production teams under Julie Rapaport. Julie’s team is now executing our larger film strategy across both distribution platforms. As a result, now is the right time to combine both theatrical distribution groups (MGM and AOM) into one unified team.

Erik Lomis’s passing was a tremendously sad moment and profound loss for all who knew and worked with him. But we are very fortunate that Kevin Wilson, Erik’s partner and colleague of many years, will be Head of Theatrical Distribution. Kevin will oversee and execute our domestic theatrical distribution strategy reporting to me and working closely with Sue Kroll, Head of Marketing, Amazon & MGM Studios, and her team members Stephen Bruno and Gerry Rich on the release of all our Amazon & MGM Studios films.

A seasoned executive, Kevin has many years of experience in theatrical film distribution and has released over 100 films across all genres and release patterns delivering close to $7 billion in box office throughout the U.S. Additionally, Kevin has been a key distribution executive at several startup companies including Summit Entertainment and Open Road Films. Kevin has extensive relationships with both exhibition partners and industry peers, and has released acclaimed Best Picture winners Spotlight and The Hurt Locker; notable Best Picture nominees including Licorice Pizza and Women Talking; in addition to overseeing the distribution of hugely successful franchises including Twilight, No Time To Die, Creed III and, most recently, Air.

Mark Boxer, along with his team, will now report into Kevin’s group as Head of Specialty Theatrical Distribution. For the last six years, Mark has overseen the release of Amazon Original Movies including Sound of Metal, Hotel Transylvania 4, Being the Ricardos, and the day and date release of Coming to America. Before coming to Amazon Studios, Mark was the EVP, Sales and Distribution at IFC Films, overseeing the release of award-winning films such as Boyhood. In his current role, Mark will oversee select specialty films releases; our Culver Theater space; and Prime Premiere releases.

We are fortunate to have two such talented distribution executives as we continue to grow and invest in our film business. Please join me in congratulating Kevin, Mark and their combined team. And please feel free to share this email with any partner teams.

Best of Deadline

Click here to read the full article.

Manchester Evening News
Rylan Clark says 'this is what I look like' as he ditches black locks and makeup as fans react
The BBC Radio 2 star has shown fans what he really looks like as he prepared for a 'reset'
HuffPost UK
Trevor Phillips Destroys Nigel Farage With One Devastating Question
The Reform UK leader rejected the accusation that his party is a home for racists.
Manchester Evening News
Roy Keane's crude four-word ITV remark leaves Man United icon Gary Neville stunned
Roy Keane has been a prominent figure in the ITV studio throughout Euro 2024 and he was at it again with a hilarious quip in the build-up to England's last 16 clash
The Telegraph
Woman charged after video allegedly showed prison officer having sex with inmate
A woman has been charged after a video emerged that allegedly showed a prison officer having sex with an inmate in a jail cell.
The Telegraph
‘I’m not going to buy electric again – it’s the worst car I’ve ever had’
Ray Bestwick bought an electric car last May in the hope of hassle-free motoring.
Manchester Evening News
Spanish police WON'T say if club altercation over 'wealthy man's missing designer watch' is linked to Jay Slater's disappearance in Tenerife
It comes as the search for Jay Slater around the Masca areas is called off
OK! Magazine
Princess Diana's niece Lady Kitty Spencer finally reveals baby daughter's name
Lady Kitty Spencer has finally revealed the unique name she's chosen for her baby daughter in a sweet new post on Instagram, as royal fans gush over the 'beautiful' moniker
The Telegraph
Democrats creating path for Joe Biden to make ‘dignified’ exit
Democrats are laying the groundwork for Joe Biden to make a “dignified” exit from the presidential race.
Bournemouth Echo UK
UK to be hit by second heatwave in a matter of days from Mediterranean airstream
The UK is set for a second heatwave this summer as weather forecasters suggest Mediterranean airstream will bring hot weather.
OK! Magazine
Carol McGiffin's blunt 4-word statement on friends Ruth and Eamonn split
Former Loose Woman Carol McGiffin has opened up with her true thoughts about Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes' split - two people she is friends with and admits she 'loves' equally
CNN
Russia wants to confront NATO but dares not fight it on the battlefield – so it’s waging a hybrid war instead
When someone tried – and failed – to burn down a bus garage in Prague earlier this month, the unsuccessful arson attack didn’t draw much attention. Until, that is, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala revealed it was “very likely” that Moscow was behind it.
Manchester Evening News
Footage shows out-of-control XL Bully being chased by armed cops before being shot dead following horror attack on woman
GMP said the dog had to be destroyed 'as the last possible option'
The Telegraph
Old, rich and living on benefits: welcome to the state pension capital of Britain
East Preston feels an unlikely stronghold of benefits dependency. The genteel village on the West Sussex coast might be the closest thing that Britain has to a moneyed pensioner utopia.
OK! Magazine
Shania Twain's Glastonbury set leaves fans complaining she's 'been thrown under the bus'
Glastonbury viewers were left disappointed by Shania Twain's performance at the music festival as they took to social media to declare the icon had been 'thrown under the bus'
Manchester Evening News
'I gave up Diet Coke for a month and I couldn't believe how it transformed my life'
Paul Turner was stunned by the results
The Independent
Led by Donkeys interrupt Nigel Farage speech by lowering huge Putin banner
Nigel Farage was initially unaware that the Russian president was on the poster, with the words ‘I heart Nigel’ written below
The Telegraph
Prince Harry award challenged by family of war hero
The decision to give the Duke of Sussex a sports award named after an American war hero killed in Afghanistan has been criticised by the soldier’s mother.
HuffPost UK
Rishi Sunak Left Squirming As He's Confronted With Ordinary People's Lives In Tory Britain
The prime minister had insisted life was "better" now than when the party came to power in 2010.
The Guardian
London Pride: Sadiq Khan leads 32,000 marchers through capital
Annual LBGTQ+ celebration takes place with march between Hyde Park and Trafalgar Square
The Independent
The sweet reason Coldplay played with Michael J Fox at Glastonbury
Poignant moment brought things full circle for British band

Latest stories