New Line Cinema Picks Up an Extra Chromosome

New Line Cinema is getting in touch with its feminine side.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the studio, known for slasher films such as "Nightmare on Elm Street" and the popular 'Austin Powers" series, is switching its focus to female-oriented fare.

The trend began with the adaptation of Nicholas Sparks' "The Notebook" in 2004. That was followed by 2005s "Monster-in-Law," the Jennifer Lopez-Jane Fonda vehicle which marked Fonda's first appearance on the silver screen since her retirement in 1991. Since then New Line—and its executive president, Toby Emmerich—has released a spate of films starring women, including "He's Not That Into You" and "Valentine's Day."

Now Lynda Obst's "What Was I thinking?" is due to join that roster. Though the script hasn't gone into production, Obst has aggressively solicited the Elizabeth Banks-Leslie Mann comedy to the film studio.

"I purposely took it there first; they did 'He's Just Not That Into You'," she said.

The 2009 movie, starring Jennifer Aniston and Ben Affleck, grossed over $94 million at the box office. So Obst is banking on the same happening for her.

For Emmerich, while the rush toward chick flicks has been gradual, it all comes down to one thing and one thing only: demographics and money.

"Women make up two quadrants and I think they are underserved in theatrical," he said. "Maybe not on network or cable, but I've always felt that when it comes to theatrical, women are underserved. Movies tend to be made for the guys, and women tend to go along."

In an economic recession, where salaries in Hollywood are depreciating and studios can't afford the multi-million dollar budgets for special effects, actresses—whether because of tradition or some x factor that hasn't risen to the surface—have produced lower asking prices than their male counterparts, making them appealing to studios such as New Line which wants to keep its budget down.

Even so, as New Line continues to have an eye on the female demographic, it continues to stay rooted in its testosterone-fueled, hack and slash roots. Already the studio is scheduled to produce a remake of "A Nightmare on Elm Street" starring Jackie Earle Haley, on top of a fourth installment of "Final Destination" due in August.

But the change in focus from males to females is unmistakable.

"The market has undervalued women," Emmerich said.