New Line’s chief of marketing out
Russell Schwartz, longtime head of marketing for New Line Cinema is leaving the film distributor.
Schwartz’s departure has been rumored for months. New Line has suffered through a series of disappointing movies including “Snakes on a Plane” and “The Nativity Story.”
“Hairspray,” currently out in theaters, has been the studio’s one success of late.
Schwartz will be departing after the release of “Rush Hour 3” which cost more than $125 million to produce. Upcoming is another expensive gambit, the fantasy “The Golden Compass” which cost more than $170 million.
“I felt I’ve accomplished everything I could at New Line and reached my capacity to grow in the organization,” Schwartz said. “The marketing fire still burns very bright in my belly and I have every intention of staying in this world. It’s just a question of what incarnation.”
Among those in discussions to replace Schwartz is Chris Carlisle, executive vice president at Fox Broadcasting, according to people with knowledge of the talks. New Line executives and Carlisle declined to comment.
Schwartz, was named president of domestic marketing in 2001, and oversaw marketing for such box-office hits as “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, “Rush Hour 2” and “Wedding Crashers.”
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