Lawrence Grey (producer)

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Lawrence Grey is a Canadian-American film and television producer.

Grey launched his production company Grey Matter Productions in 2013.[1] Grey Matter's first film, Lights Out, was released by Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema on July 22, 2016.[2]

Career[edit]

Early career[edit]

Grey launched his producing career as a studio executive, serving as Executive Vice President and Co-Head of Production for Mandate Pictures from 2009–2011 and Senior Vice President of Production at Universal Pictures from 2006‑2009.[3]

From 2000 to 2006, Grey was an executive at Fox Searchlight Pictures.[4] During his time there, Grey found the script for Juno, which he packaged with director Jason Reitman and oversaw through production. While at Searchlight, Grey also oversaw the acquisition and production of the action-fantasy films Night Watch and Day Watch from Russian filmmaker Timur Bekmambetov, who went on to direct Wanted.[5] He developed Diary of a Mad Black Woman, Tyler Perry's first film. Additionally, he oversaw The Hills Have Eyes from French director Alexandre Aja,[6] Johnson Family Vacation, The Ringer, and 28 Weeks Later.

Grey co-produced the 2012 film Hope Springs starring Meryl Streep, Tommy Lee Jones and Steve Carell and directed by David Frankel (The Devil Wears Prada). He was the executive producer of the 2013 film Last Vegas, which starred Michael Douglas, Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman, and Kevin Kline, and was directed by Jon Turteltaub.[7]

Grey Matter Productions[edit]

Grey launched his production banner Grey Matter Productions in 2013.

Most recently, Grey Matter released its first feature film, Lights Out, which is based on the short film by David Sandberg.[8] Sandberg also directed the feature adaptation, which was written by Eric Heisserer and produced alongside James Wan's production banner Atomic Monster. The film was released by New Line Cinema on July 22, 2016 with a $21.6 million opening in its first weekend. As of September 7, 2016, Lights Out has grossed $66.3 million in North America and $70.9 million in other territories for a worldwide total of $137.2 million.[9]

Previously, Grey sold Section 6, a film about the untold origin story of MI6, to Universal.[10] The project will be directed by Joe Cornish (Attack the Block). Grey also developed and sold Winter's Knight, a Viking‑themed reimagining of the Santa Claus legend to Sony Pictures.[11] The film will be directed by Joachim Ronning & Espen Sandberg, directors of the Academy Award®-nominated Kon-Tiki and the upcoming installment of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise.

In 2014, Grey Matter announced a partnership with the Bruce Lee estate to develop and produce the definitive biopic on the famous martial artist.[12]

In 2016, STX Entertainment and Grey Matter Productions announced an upcoming thriller starring Sylvester Stallone. The film, written by Dan Casey and to be directed by Jim Mickle, will go into production in late 2016.[13] Grey Matter also announced that it will produce a feature film about the recent Panama Papers scandal. Steven Soderbergh is also producing with an eye to direct, alongside Scott Z. Burns. The film is to be based on an upcoming book Secrecy World that Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jake Bernstein is writing for Henry Holt and Company. Grey is teamed with Anonymous Content to develop, finance and produce. Grey, Michael Sugar, Burns and Soderbergh are producing.[14]

Personal life[edit]

A native of Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Grey is a graduate of Georgetown University Law Center. Grey is active in the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).

Filmography[edit]

Year Title Director Notes
2012 Hope Springs David Frankel Co-producer
2013 Last Vegas Jon Turteltaub Executive producer
2015 Hidden Duffer brothers
2016 Lights Out David F. Sandberg
2019 The Laundromat Steven Soderbergh
2021 Yes Day Miguel Arteta
2023 Pain Hustlers David Yates
2023 Family Switch McG

References[edit]

  1. ^ Miller, Daniel. "Hollywood 'Spec Script' Is Making a Comeback". latimes.com. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
  2. ^ Murray, Rebecca. "'Lights Out': Lawrence Grey Interview on the Horror Film". showbizjunkies.com. Retrieved 18 April 2016.
  3. ^ Siegel, Tatiana. "Lawrence Grey Joining Mandate Pictures". variety.com. Retrieved 31 January 2010.
  4. ^ Borys, Kit; Siegel, Tatiana. "Grey Joining Uni as Vp Prod'n". hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved 25 January 2007.
  5. ^ LaPorte, Nicole. "Searchlight Casts Wider Beam". variety.com. Retrieved 19 March 2006.
  6. ^ B., Brian. "The Hills Have Eyes To Begin Production". movieweb.com. Retrieved 17 June 2005.
  7. ^ ""LAST VEGAS" Begins Production In Las Vegas". cbsfilms.com. Retrieved 5 November 2012.
  8. ^ Murray, Rebecca. "'Lights Out': Lawrence Grey Interview on the Horror Film". showbizjunkies.com. Retrieved 18 April 2016.
  9. ^ "Lights Out (2016) – Box Office Mojo". boxofficemojo.com. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
  10. ^ Borys, Kit. "Universal's $1.2 Million Bid Wins Heated War for 'Section 6' Script". hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved 12 October 2013.
  11. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. "'Section 6' And 'Winter's Knight' Producer Grey Matter Lands Funding, Sets 'It Follows' Helmer David Robert Mitchell's Next Pic". deadline.com. Retrieved 28 July 2015.
  12. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. "Bruce Lee Family Plans New Film Biopic". deadline.com. Retrieved 27 February 2015.
  13. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. "Jim Mickle To Direct Sylvester Stallone In STX Entertainment Thriller". deadline.com. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  14. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. "Steven Soderbergh Plots Panama Papers Film Based On Jake Bernstein Book 'Secrecy World'". deadline.com. Retrieved 6 July 2016.
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