Universal unveils international unit

CANNES, France, May 17 (UPI) -- Universal Pictures confirmed that Christian Grass will join the studio this fall as president of its newly formed, London-based international production unit.

Universal, as part of its expansion in worldwide filmmaking ventures, will partner with Moscow director Timur Bekmambetov and his Bazelevs Productions, Variety reported Thursday. The production unit and Grass' appointment were confirmed during the Cannes Film Festival in France.

Under the agreement, Bekmambetov will either direct or produce both Russian- and English-language films for local and international markets. The movies will be distributed in Russia by Universal Pictures International under the marketing label Bekmambetov Pictures.

The first release will be the action film, "Wanted," which Bekmambetov is filming in Prague for Universal, and stars James McAvoy, Morgan Freeman and Angelina Jolie.

This is the studio's second local production partnership, following its agreement with Fernando Mereilles and 02 Films to produce Brazilian and Latin American movies.

Grass will move to Universal from 20th Century Fox International, where he is serving out his contract as executive vice president for Europe, Middle East and Africa. At Universal, he will report to Co-chairman David Linde and Executive Vice President Michael Joe.