HBO Exec May Unseat TriStar Chief in Shake-Up

A long-anticipated shake-up could take place at TriStar Pictures with Robert Cooper, president of HBO Pictures, taking over for Marc Platt as president of the studio, according to sources at TriStar parent Sony Pictures Entertainment.

Neither Sony nor Home Box Office would comment, but Hollywood sources said Friday that the deal was nearly completed.

Although Sony is hoping to give Platt a production deal to prevent a hefty contract settlement, sources say it seems unlikely that Platt will stay. Platt, who joined Sony in 1992 but has never fit into its corporate culture, has 2 1/2 years remaining on his contract. Platt, a well-respected executive who has good relationships with talent, has overseen such hits as “Jumanji,” which grossed $250 million worldwide, “Sleepless in Seattle” and “Legends of the Fall.” Box-office bombs on his watch include “Mary Reilly” and “Mrs. Winterbourne.”

The move would be a significant jump for Cooper, who has long had designs on entering the more glamorous movie side of the business. Cable movies do not carry the big budgets of studio-size productions.

But Cooper has succeeded in luring big talent to the small screen. At HBO, he oversaw “Barbarians at the Gate,” which starred James Garner. Other HBO movies have featured James Woods, Demi Moore and Mira Sorvino. Along with former HBO head Michael Fuchs, he is credited with turning the network into a big Emmy-award winner and the No. 1 premium cable channel.

There are other executive changes afoot at Sony. Former Disney marketing chief Robert Levin is being brought in to replace Sid Ganis, Sony’s president of worldwide marketing. Ganis is being given a production deal at the studio.