Greg Silverman to Launch Multi-Faceted Entrepreneurial Venture at Warner Bros.
(December 14, 2016 – Burbank, CA) – Widely respected film industry veteran Greg Silverman, who currently serves as President, Creative Development and Worldwide Production, Warner Bros. Pictures, has announced that he will be stepping away from his executive responsibilities at the first of the year to lead a multi-faceted new venture focusing on both content production and media and technology-related entrepreneurial ventures with support from Warner Bros. Further details regarding Silverman’s company, which will be based at Warner Bros. Studios, will be announced at a later date.
“We’ve seen a great transformation of our business that involves New York, China and Silicon Valley, as much as it does Los Angeles. I’m looking for ways to innovate the business and expand what we do,” said Silverman. “With the support of Warner Bros., this venture will be centered on building properties and looking for unique franchise opportunities across all media and platforms. I am so grateful to Kevin for his support over the last few years and his incredible generosity in extending that support toward my desire to start my own company. Warner Bros. is home to the finest people and filmmakers in the world, and it has been my great honor to be a part of that marvelous tradition. I look forward to collaborating with Kevin, Toby, Sue and all my colleagues and friends at the Studio in this new capacity for many years to come.”
“2016 was a great year for us, and Greg has been a big part of that—from the launch of our DC film universe with ‘Batman v Superman’ and ‘Suicide Squad,’ to helping realize the next franchise in J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World, expanding the Warner Animation Group brand, and developing mid-budget hits like ‘Sully’ and ‘The Accountant,’” said Kevin Tsujihara, Chairman and CEO, Warner Bros. “Greg is a part of the Warner Bros. family and we all look forward to working with him on this new venture that combines his passion for film, technology and China.”
During his tenure at Warner Bros., Silverman worked on a number of the Studio’s most popular and profitable titles, including “The Dark Knight” trilogy, “The Hangover” trilogy, “Inception,” “Interstellar,” and the revitalized DC franchise titles “Man of Steel,” “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,” “Suicide Squad” and next year’s “Wonder Woman.” He was also a key executive on a number of highly anticipated upcoming Warner Bros. Pictures releases, including “King Arthur,” “LEGO Batman,” “LEGO Ninjago,” “Dunkirk,” “Minecraft,” “Aquaman” and “Ready Player One.”
Rising through the ranks from junior production executive to worldwide head of development and production, Silverman worked at Warner Bros. almost two decades. During that time, he formed longstanding relationships with many of the industry’s most talented and respected creatives, including Ben Affleck, Zack and Deborah Snyder, Christopher Nolan, Steve Carell, Alfonso Cuarón, Todd Phillips, Guy Ritchie, Denise DiNovi, Margot Robbie, Sandra Bullock, Will Smith, Anne Hathaway, Patty Jenkins, Bradley Cooper, David Yates and Steven Spielberg. Silverman was also a key part of the company’s ongoing effort to expand its business in China, including securing such films as “Meg” and “Brother Orange,” both global-release films being made in China with Chinese talent. He also worked with Flagship Entertainment, Warner Bros.’ joint venture with CMC, to help source and create local language product.
Silverman also furthered many of the Studio’s diversity and inclusion initiatives. He created the Black List writers competition for underrepresented writers and served as one of the founding executives of Warner Bros. Pictures’ Emerging Film Directors Workshop, which launched in March 2016. He also championed diversity among the directors, producers, casts, writers and subject matter of Warner Bros. Pictures’ releases to help the Studio lead the charge in making films more representative of the global audience.