CANNES — When Daniel Diamond arrived at Cannes, his mission was to launch a film finance, sales and distribution company he hoped would have an affiliation with Jim Robinson’s Morgan Creek Prods. At Robinson’s annual Sunday brunch, Diamond was introduced as MCP’s new head of international distribution.
MCP, which has been working on a slate since naming ex-CAA agent Rick Nicita as president in August, unveiled its ambitious lineup of production starts, with director Jim Sheridan on hand to talk about the psychological thriller “Dream House” and helmer Antoine Fuqua there for “Scarpa,” the drama he will direct about Colombo crime family capo and FBI informant Greg Scarpa Sr. MCP is also developing the sci-fi/romancer “Passengers” as a Keanu Reeves vehicle.
Diamond was on hand to be welcomed as part of the executive team.
“This is like going out for a hamburger and coming back with a steak,” said Diamond, who hopes to bring with him to MCP films he came to Cannes to sell, including “Beat the World,” a dance film that “Stomp the Yard” scribe Rob Adetuyi directing his script.
Diamond has overseen the international distribution of such studio titles as “Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery” and “Rules of Engagement,” and he is the former president of Fireworks Pictures. As exec producer he helped in financing and foreign distribution agreements for films that include “The Believer,” “Tekken” and “Big Stan.”
Diamond starts his post right after Cannes.
