Major Hollywood Producer Courts Trump, Strikes Lionsgate Deal

A Hollywood producer who’s taken his case for American filmmaking directly to President Donald Trump is putting money behind a new partnership with Lionsgate. Variety is reporting that Steven Paul’s SP Media will make a “significant” investment in a joint venture with the studio. The companies didn’t disclose the amount, but a source familiar with the deal said the initial investment would be around $100 million. A similar investment could follow. The deal comes as Paul and actor Jon Voight push for a federal tax incentive to help keep film and television production in the United States. Their effort puts Trump at the center of a debate over how to keep Hollywood productions from heading overseas. At an Aug. 31 White House meeting, Paul gave Trump an example: his upcoming film about Richard Nixon’s early years. Paul said the project would need to shoot abroad unless a viable U.S. tax incentive was available. Under the Lionsgate agreement, SP Media will also produce independent feature films for the studio to distribute. Lionsgate will hold majority ownership and control of the joint venture. The venture is expected to invest in new businesses that expand Lionsgate’s content. That i...