Universal Chairman to Stay On

Universal Pictures Chairman Casey Silver has signed a new long-term contract with the studio that formalizes his expanded oversight of such areas as home video and animation, the company said Tuesday.

Silver, 42, who began his career as a screenwriter, is an 11-year veteran of Universal. Before being named studio chief in October 1995, he was head of production under former movie chairman Tom Pollock.

Universal had the No. 1 and No. 3 grossing pictures of 1997 worldwide: Steven Spielberg’s “The Lost World: Jurassic Park” and “Liar Liar.” Among the challenges Silver faces is replacing the hit factory that Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment has been for Universal; the director is now making pictures for DreamWorks SKG.

Universal also had some disappointments, including “Kull the Conqueror,” “Dante’s Peak” and “Leave It to Beaver.”

“I think this [new contract] is a vote of confidence. It comes as we’re in the midst of enacting a broad and ambitious plan,” said Silver, noting Universal’s plans to produce more films, enter the specialty film business and build the global market.