Greenstein May Head Combined Film Division

Scott Greenstein is expected to head a combined specialty film division of USA Networks Inc. and Universal Pictures, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Greenstein is chairman of USA Films, which won accolades for 2000’s “Traffic” and last year’s “Gosford Park,” directed by Robert Altman, which has seven Oscar nominations.

Greenstein will report to Universal Pictures Chairwoman Stacey Snider.

Under the change, expected to be announced in the next month, Universal Focus and the U.S. operation of StudioCanal will be folded into USA Films, eliminating about two dozen jobs, sources said.

The consolidation follows Vivendi Universal’s $11-billion acquisition of the film and television assets of USA Networks.

Universal Focus released the 2000 hit “Billy Elliot” and last year’s “Mulholland Drive.” Studio Canal finances films produced by Michael Ovitz’s Artists Production Group.

Universal and USA officials, who have been meeting about how to consolidate its USA film assets, are working out details of the new company and declined to comment.

Richard Verrier