Sierra/Affinity has entered into a first-look agreement with the prolific production company SMB Films, founded and run by Scott Bernstein who spent ten years as a successful executive at Universal Pictures before launching the company in 2014. The agreement calls for Sierra/Affinity to be SMB’s first stop as it develops and produces feature films for a global audience. The announcement was made on Tuesday by Sierra/Affinity’s Nick Meyer and Marc Schaberg, and Bernstein.
“As both a seasoned executive and producer, Scott has a strong track record of identifying material that resonates worldwide and distilling it into a feature film product that appeals to audiences both domestically and abroad,” said Meyer. “Combining Scott’s talents with Sierra’s strength as a producer, financier, and sales entity, presents a potent content generating combination.”
Bernstein added, “The commitment Nick and Marc have shown up to supporting strong filmmakers and storytellers has been paramount to Sierra/Affinity's success. I see this as an opportunity to join forces with one of the most prolific companies to create inspiring stories done by today's leading filmmakers. I am looking forward to building a slate of films that supports Sierra/Affinity's global outlook and commercial sensibility that they've shown with the success of Atomic Blonde.”
Bernstein launched SMB Films in 2014 and has since produced several successful films including the commercially and critically acclaimed music bio pic Straight Outta Compton about N.W.A along with founding members Dr. Dre and Ice Cube that grossed over $200 in worldwide box office. He also produced Ride Along 2 starring Kevin Hart and Ice Cube that grossed over $130mm at the box office. He is currently producing The Turning at Amblin with Floria Sigismondi attached to direct. SMB Films, along with Harvey Mason, has also acquired the life rights to Aretha Franklin, and SMB acquired the life rights to Pete Rose with Middleton Media Group.
Before SMB FILMS, Bernstein served as Executive Vice President of Universal Pictures for 10 years where he oversaw production on Ride Along, Andy Muschietti's breakout hit Mama, Jason Bateman and Melissa McCarthy's Identity Thief, Guillermo Del Toro's Hellboy 2: The Golden Army based on the supernatural Dark Horse character, the comedy Role Models starring Paul Rudd and Seann William Scott, and The Break-Up starring Vince Vaughn and Jennifer Aniston. Prior to Universal Pictures, Bernstein served as an executive at Revolution Studios and at Lionsgate Films where he oversaw production on the commercially and critically acclaimed film Monsters Ball starring Halle Berry for which she won the Academy Award for Best Actress.
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