Changes at the Top at MGM

LOS ANGELES: Roger Birnbaum, the co-chairman and co-CEO of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), is transitioning to an exclusive producer role at the studio, leaving Gary Barber as the sole chairman and CEO.

This is a return to producing for Birnbaum, who will first serve as an executive producer and oversee the production of the Robocop reboot. Upcoming projects for Birnbaum include films based on Deathwish, War Games and Magnificent Seven. Birnbaum will remain in his current offices in MGM’s executive suite. He and Barber have shared the CEO and chairman posts since December 2010.

“Gary and I decided, two years ago, to accept the challenge of joining MGM and restoring the company to its rightful place in the industry. I am very proud of where MGM is today,” said Birnbaum. “I have been in the film business a long time, and my greatest passion has always been producing. Now is the time for me to return to what I love to do the most…producing films. And the fact that I will be producing for MGM, with Gary, my partner and friend will be very gratifying.”

“I respect Roger’s decision to return to his passion of ‘hands on’ producing, and we are thrilled he has chosen to stay at MGM on an exclusive basis,” added Barber. “We have been partners for almost 15 years and we have shared many successes together and I look forward to many more. I have the utmost confidence in Roger’s ability to produce many of our key upcoming productions, and I could not be happier that we will continue to work together.”

“The Board is very pleased with the performance of the company under Gary and Roger,” said Ann Mather, the lead director of MGM Holdings, the parent company of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc. “We want to thank Roger and look forward to him producing upcoming MGM films and have full confidence in Gary continuing to lead the company with the talented management team in place.”