Crusader Entertainment, the recently formed LA-based production outfit backed by Philip Anschutz's Anschutz Corporation and run by Howard Baldwin, has made two key appointments. Entertainment attorney William J Immerman has been named executive vice president, while former Phoenix Pictures executive Nick Morton has been named vice president of development.

Immerman joins two other executive vice presidents at Crusader - Karen Baldwin, who is evp of creative affairs, and Nick Ruta is evp of business affairs. He will work closely with Howard Baldwin on the day-to-day operation of the company and act as its senior negotiator. He was formerly senior member of The Law Offices of William J Immerman, a role he will continue to fill on a limited basis.

Morton was vice president of production at Phoenix overseeing films such as Urban Legends: Final Cut and Dick.

Crusader is in pre-production on its first major film A Sound Of Thunder starring Pierce Brosnan with Franchise Pictures and has two smaller films in production (Joshua and Children On Their Birthdays). The company has a three-year, first-look deal with Paramount Pictures.

Among recent acquisitions are the life story of music legend Ray Charles and the rights to the Dirk Pitt adventure books by Clive Cussler including Sahara, Atlantis Found and Night Probe.