Focus Features' president of productionJosh McLaughlinhas exited his post to become a producer, Collider has exclusively learned, and sources say he’s getting a first-look production deal with the studio.
I’m told that there are no immediate plans to replace McLaughlin, and that Focus presidentRobert Walakwill continue to oversee both production and acquisitions for the studio. McLaughlin was named president of production in May 2017, when he replacedJim Burke, who also yearned to return to his previous role as producer and received a first-look deal at Focus.
McLaughlin was the executive who oversaw theCharlize TheronmovieAtomic Blonde, and during his time at Focus the studio released acclaimed films such asBlackKklansman,Boy Erased,Darkest Hour,Phantom Thread,TullyandWon’t You Be My Neighbor?I still can’t believe that the studio’sMister Rogersdocumentary was snubbed of an Oscar nomination last year.
McLaughlin joined Focus from Chernin Entertainment, and prior to that he served as co-head of the motion picture division at The Mark Gordon Company after beginning his industry career at the Gersh Agency.
Focus has released several films this year, fromThe Mustangand Neil Jordan’sGretato genre movies likeCaptive StateandThe Dead Don’t Die, and while none have exactly lit the box office on fire,The Mustangis often mentioned among the best films of the year, and the studio has a promising fall slate. That includes theDowntown Abbeymovie, aHarriet Tubmandrama starringCynthia Erivo, and a new film fromTodd HaynesstarringMark RuffaloandAnne Hathaway. I’m also looking forward toJon Stewart’s political comedyIrresistible,Edgar Wright’s psychological thrillerLast Night in Soho, andEmerald Fennell’s thrillerPromising Young Woman, all of which are due in 2020.
Focus is also developing a movie based on the acclaimed oral history bookESPN: Those Guys Have All the Fun; aBill Hicksbiopic from directorRichard Linklater; and an English-language remake of the excellent French thrillerTell No One. If even one of these projects ever gets off the ground, it’ll make my day.
