Gary Smith Exiting Intandem; Production Delayed On '10 Things I Hate About Life'

Intandem Films, the UK-based production, finance, sales and distribution outfit, said today that CEO Gary Smith is stepping down to 'combine his career as an executive producer with new opportunities outside the film industry.' Veteran Disney exec Robert Mitchell, who joined Intandem in 2012 to head up the UK distribution business, replaces Smith immediately.

Intandem also said it has delayed production on 10 Things I Hate About Life. While not a sequel to 1999 comedy 10 Things I Hate About You, it is a re-team of that film's directing and producing duo Gil Junger and Andrew Lazar. Junger penned the script and is to helm the story of a young man and woman (Evan Rachel Wood) who meet while each is attempting to commit suicide. Smith is also a producer. Intandem said production was expected to resume in the second half of this year.

Further, demonstrating the difficulties facing independent distribution in the UK, Intandem laid out a new plan for the short to medium term. The company will continue to consider opportunities, but 'will only commit to UK distribution engagements where it is possible to partner with a second UK distributor in order to reduce the commitment' of its own resources. There is contraction in the UK market with the recent takeover of Alliance Films' Momentum Pictures by eOne. Added to that is the uncertain future of Revolver Entertainment and the failure of retail chains HMV and Blockbuster, which is impacting the sector.

Intandem did note that it closed sales deals in Berlin on upcoming titles Believe, a soccer drama starring Natascha McElhone and Brian Cox, and The Laureate with Sam Claflin and Imogen Poots that's currently in pre-production.

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