Fremantle merges US/Europe business scenario under Christian Vesper

Fremantle is transitioning its North American scripted operations under the leadership of Christian Vesper, CEO of Global Drama and Film, who will now manage all drama and film operations for Fremantle in the US and Europe.

As part of the transition, Dante Di Loreto — who has served as Fremantle’s president of scripted entertainment in North America since 2017 and helped build Fremantle’s drama slate (including the award-winning Showtime series Fellow Travelers) — will move to a production deal with Fremantle.

Fremantle’s North American scripted and record label businesses will now report directly to Vesper, who will continue to report to Andrea Scrosati, COO and GM, Continental Europe. (Scrosati, in turn, reports to Jennifer Mullin, GM, Fremantle Group.)

The management changes reflect an ongoing restructuring of Fremantle’s global business. In the UK, the group recently laid off all staff at drama producer Euston Films and documentary studio Undeniable. The studios have not yet technically closed, despite having no staff. Confirming the cuts, a Fremantle representative said they were “part of ongoing strategic planning” and “measures necessary to create a more effective, coordinated and streamlined approach” to its business.

As it restructures its operations in Europe and the US, Fremantle parent company RTL Group has denied rumours that it plans to pull out of North America, as well as speculation that RTL Group shareholder Bertelsmann is considering selling some of its Fremantle assets. Insiders stress that RTL Group and its majority shareholder Bertelsmann are still keen to grow their presence in the US.

“Expanding our global content business at Fremantle is a strategic priority for RTL Group… and the US is Fremantle’s largest market,” said an RTL Group spokesperson. “As part of our strategic growth goal of achieving full-year Fremantle revenues of €3 billion by 2026, Fremantle has grown organically and through acquisitions across all regions and genres – entertainment, drama and film, and documentary,” the spokesperson continued. Fremantle’s recent acquisitions in the US include Eureka, Passenger and a 25% stake in Fabel Entertainment.

Vesper will now oversee a large portfolio of production companies and talent, including Fremantle-owned Element Pictures, Miso Film, Passenger and Dancing Ledge. Additional companies and talent with initial deals with Fremantle include Kristen Stewart, Dylan Meyer and Maggie McLean Nevermind Pictures; Pablo and Juan de Dios Larraín Fabula; Rachel Weisz and Polly Stokes Astral Projection; Edward Berger Nine Hours; Johan Renck and Michael Parets Sinestra; Sarah Condon Fair Harbour; Richard Yee and Krishnendu Majumdar Me+You Productions; and Patrick Daly Caledonia Productions.

Filmmakers who have signed permanent deals with Fremantle include Luca Guadagnino, Paolo Sorrentino, Angelina Jolie and Michael Winterbottom.

Fremantle was in full force at the fall festival with Guadagnino’s “Queer” and Larraín’s “Maria,” which had its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival. “Queer,” starring Daniel Craig and Drew Starkey, is also playing in Toronto, alongside Jolie’s directorial effort “Without Blood,” “M—Son of the Century” (which debuted at Venice), “Faithless” and “The Listeners.” “Queer,” “Maria” and “M” were produced by Wildside’s Lorenzo Mieli, who left the group earlier this year and has just launched a new production vehicle, Our Films, with fellow FremantleMedia producer Mario Gianani.

As for Di Loreto, who reported to Mullin, his other recent credits include “The Mosquito Coast” for Apple TV+ and “American Gods” for Starz. Before Fremantle, he was a successful producer for HBO (“Temple Grandin,” “The Normal Heart”) and with Ryan Murphy (“Glee,” “American Horror Story”).

The scripted changes have no impact on the unscripted space, where Jimmy Fox joined Fremantle earlier this year as executive vice president of unscripted content development and sales for the company’s US operations.