Former Universal Pictures' director of development Damien Saccani isrejoining the studio as vice president of production.

"Damien showed a good deal of promise when he was hereyears ago, and since then he has become a first-rate executive with keenintelligence and taste, a terrific knowledge of the business and fantasticrelationships with talent," Universal vice chairmen of worldwide productionMary Parent and Scott Stuber said in a statement.

Saccani is currently developing projects at Disney, Warner Brosand Paramount and recently worked at Andrew Lazar's Mad Chance Productions,which he joined in early 2002.

During his time there he served as executive producer on CatchThat Kid, a children'stitle that 20th Century Fox will release in April 2004, and Carl Franklin'sthriller Out Of Time,which opened through MGM in October.

He also set up several projects including Baby Love, which will star Matthew McConnaughey; Pre-EmptedSex, which will bedirected by Steve Shainberg; and Get Smart, starring Will Ferrell.

Prior to Mad Chance Saccani had a first-look deal at Universalwith his then partner Jon Berg, where his credits included Elf, among other projects.

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