Clooney set to launch Smoke House

LOS ANGELES, July 20 (UPI) -- Filmmakers George Clooney and Grant Heslov are set to launch a Hollywood production company to be set up at Warner Bros. Pictures and Television.

The former "ER" star will leave the production company Section Eight, which he started with director Steven Soderbergh, so he can launch his new company, Smoke House, Daily Variety reported.

Smoke House has already signed a long-term deal with the Warner Bros. companies to produce new "message" and offbeat projects.

Soderbergh and Section Eight President Jennifer Fox will reportedly continue to run the company -- which has produced films such as "Ocean's Eleven," starring Clooney -- until its contract with the Warners ends later this year.

Clooney will officially leave Section Eight on Aug. 1 and immediately begin production duties with Smoke House as part of his new deal, Variety said.