Columbia Pictures Locks Down Deal with Smith's Overbrook

Columbia Pictures has locked down a first-look deal with James Lassiter, Ken Stovitz and Will Smith's Overbrook Entertainment for five years.

According to an article in Variety, "Based at the studio since 2001, Overbrook has become one of the most successful star-driven banners in showbiz, producing such recent Sony hits as Hancock and Hitch."

Overbrook had previously been based at Universal Pictures but the relationship yielded no films. Overbrook's defection to Sony was the result of the hiring of Universal executive Stacey Snider, six months after Overbrook had signed on the dotted line. Snider replaced Universal executives Casey Silver and Ron Meyer who were directly responsible for bringing Smith and Lassiter into the studio fold.

The Variety article added, "At Columbia, Smith has become an integral part of the studio's slate. He has made or produced 11 films for Sony that have generated more than $2.9 billion worldwide at the box office, including The Pursuit of Happyness, the Men in Black films, Bad Boys, Bad Boys II and Ali."

Besides these Smith-starring, blockbuster hits, Overbrook has begun to branch out to produce films not starring the charismatic Smith such as Lakeview Terrace, which opened at No. 1 at the box office earlier in the year. In addition, Overbrook will produce for Sony, a remake of The Karate Kid, which will star Smith's son, Jaden.

Seven Pounds, is the latest Overbrook drama that Sony has released which Smith stars in and produced.

"I'm proud to be working with artists like Will, James and Ken, who consistently strive creatively and artistically to make interesting, challenging and brave films," said Amy Pascal, co-chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment.