Erik Feig

Source: Photo: PC Dewey Nicks

Erik Feig

Veteran producer Erik Feig will lead Arena SNK Studios, a new production company chaired by Saudi businessman Majid Al-Ibrahim of the broadcaster MBC Group.

The new venture will champion worldwide fans and adapt intellectual property from video games, anime, and fandom communities. It is also backed by the Japanese video game company SNK, which was recently acquired by MiSK Group, the foundation established by Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The “significantly financed” Arena SNK Studios – some reports have cited an initial $1bn commitment from investors – arrives with a board that includes former Disney film head Sean Bailey, Andreessen Horowitz general partner and AI investor Andrew Chen, and Epic Games CCO Charlie Wen.

The Saudi involvement comes as bin Salman continues to invest in diverse sectors to expand the kingdom’s portfolio beyond oil-based revenue.

Arena SNK Studios intends to partner with leading global studios and streaming entities for distribution, and will also aim to develop and produce blockbusters and event series across live-action and animation, and partner with experiential events around the world.

Feig will serve as CEO and becomes executive chairman of Picturestart, the company he launched in 2019. He will shepherd projects at Picturestart, which will remain a stand-alone and promote from within to handle day-to-day operations.

The industry veteran previously served as co-president of Lionsgate’s motion picture group and prior to that was president at Summit Entertainment. He has produced, supervised or originated production on films like Twilight, La La Land, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, The Hurt Locker, John Wick, Together, and Sicario.

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