Rogue Pictures has hired former Dimension Filmsco-president Andrew Rona (pictured) as president of production as part of an aggressivebid to increase the filmmaking slate at Universal's genre offshoot.

Rona will report directly to Rogue Pictures president David Lindeand will oversee production, acquisitions, marketing and distribution on thegenre division's burgeoning slate, which includes the Platinum Dunes-producedremake of The Hitcherand in-development horror title The Changeling.

Staff are also preparing Rogue's first DVD Original series and thefirst title, American Pie Presents Band Camp, is due out later this year.

Separately, Focus Features president of production JohnLyons continues to oversee production of the Focus slate for the company'sco-presidents Linde and James Schamus.

"We're aggressively expanding Rogue because there are growthopportunities, and a changing film viewing landscape, worldwide," Linde said.

"With Andrew on board, we can take an already successful filmlabel to the next level, diversifying our product, and court filmmakers andactors to deliver smart and profitable genre fare."

"David has accomplished a great deal with Rogue, and I lookforward to working closely with him to continue building on that success," Ronaadded. "I"m especially eager to fast-track some of our exciting new projects."

Rona served nearly five years as co-president of Dimension Films,and became co-president in 2001 alongside Brad Weston, who recently becameParamount's co-president of production.

Upcoming Roguereleases include Jeff Wadlow's Cry Wolf, starring Julian Morris, Lindy Booth, and Jared Padalecki;an untitled supernatural thriller from director Asif Kapadia that stars SarahMichelle Gellar; Altered, directed by Eduardo Sanchez, who co-wrote and co-directed TheBlair Witch Project;Vondie Curtis Hall's Waist Deep, starring Tyrese Gibson, Meagan Good, Larenz Tate; and TheGame, which is currentlyin production in Los Angeles.

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