Lionsgate has made a significant leadership change by promoting Erin Westerman to President of the Motion Picture Group, a move that signals the studio’s commitment to innovative filmmaking and strong project management.
Lionsgate Elevates Erin Westerman to President of Motion Picture Group
Lionsgate has announced the promotion of Erin Westerman to President of the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group. This decision follows the news of Nathan Kahane’s departure from the role at the end of the year to pursue a producing deal with the studio. Previously, Westerman served as President of Motion Picture Production.
Responsibilities and Leadership
In her new position, Westerman will oversee all facets of the development and production of Lionsgate’s theatrical slate, reporting directly to Adam Fogelson, Chair of the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group.
Fogelson expressed his confidence in Westerman, stating, “Erin’s profound impact on our studio cannot be overstated. She has earned the respect of her peers and talent through her hard work, exceptional storytelling sense, and astute choices regarding cast and direction for some of our most significant intellectual properties. Her fierce intelligence, passion for theatrical moviegoing, and approachable demeanor have made Lionsgate a desirable home for filmmakers who continue to engage in their most creative work here. She is a true leader, and I’m excited to shape our slate together.”
Upcoming Projects
Westerman is currently overseeing Francis Lawrence’s The Long Walk, set to release in theaters on September 12. Additionally, she is managing the third installment of the Now You See Me franchise, Now You See Me: Now You Don’t, directed by Ruben Fleischer (November 14), and the thriller The Housemaid, directed by Paul Feig, featuring Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried, based on a best-selling novel (December 25). Other notable projects include the Michael Jackson biopic Michael, produced by Graham King and directed by Antoine Fuqua, and Day Drinker by Marc Webb, starring Johnny Depp and Penélope Cruz, along with I Can Only Imagine 2 from Kingdom Story Company (February 20, 2026).
Future Developments
Major films in development under her leadership include Luca Guadagnino’s re-imagining of American Psycho; Monopoly, based on the beloved Hasbro brand and produced by Margot Robbie’s LuckyChap Productions; Naruto, directed by Destin Daniel Cretton; a re-imagining of the iconic Blair Witch Project in collaboration with Blumhouse; and the expansion of the John Wick Universe with an animated prequel, an action spinoff, and John Wick: Chapter Five all in the pipeline.
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Westerman has played a pivotal role in assembling the cast for the upcoming The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, featuring Glenn Close, Jesse Plemons, Ralph Fiennes, Kieran Culkin, Elle Fanning, and Billy Porter. The prequel reunites franchise director Francis Lawrence and producer Nina Jacobson, with a release date set for November 20, 2026.
Since joining Lionsgate in 2017, Westerman has been instrumental in the success of major films such as John Wick: Parabellum, John Wick: Chapter 4, and The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, which grossed nearly $350 million worldwide; Knives Out, which received an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay; and the Academy Award nominee Bombshell.
Before her tenure at Lionsgate, Westerman was the Head of Development at Good Universe, producing hits like The Disaster Artist, Neighbors 2, Always Be My Maybe, and Don’t Breathe. She began her career as a production executive at Walt Disney Studios, overseeing productions such as Cinderella and Into the Woods.
