Chernin Entertainment

Chernin Entertainment. Founded in 2009 by veteran media executive Peter Chernin, the company is a prominent film and television production entity based in Los Angeles, California. It has established a significant presence in the entertainment industry through a slate of commercially successful and critically acclaimed projects. The company operates under a long-term first-look deal with The Walt Disney Company's 20th Century Studios, having previously been aligned with 20th Century Fox prior to its acquisition by Disney.

History

The company was launched by Peter Chernin following his departure as President and Chief Operating Officer of News Corporation, where he also served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Fox Entertainment Group. Its initial first-look film pact was with 20th Century Fox, a relationship that continued after the studio was rebranded under The Walt Disney Company. A major milestone came with the 2012 release of *Rise of the Planet of the Apes*, which launched a successful reboot of the *Planet of the Apes* franchise and cemented the company's reputation for high-quality blockbuster filmmaking. In television, an early success was the critically adored Fox series *New Girl*, which debuted in 2011 and enjoyed a seven-season run. The company has since expanded its portfolio across multiple genres and platforms, including major streaming services like Netflix and Apple TV+.

Filmography

The company's film output is characterized by a mix of major franchise films, action adventures, and comedies. Its most significant franchise is the rebooted *Planet of the Apes* series, which includes *Dawn of the Planet of the Apes* and *War for the Planet of the Apes*. Other notable box office successes include the romantic comedy *The Greatest Showman*, starring Hugh Jackman, and the action comedy *The Heat*, directed by Paul Feig and starring Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy. The company has also produced films such as *Hidden Figures*, which received Academy Award nominations, the science fiction thriller *The Martian*, directed by Ridley Scott, and the musical *Wonka*, starring Timothée Chalamet. More recent productions include the action film *The Woman King*, featuring Viola Davis, and the superhero movie *The Batman*, starring Robert Pattinson.

Television series

In television, the company has developed a diverse array of scripted and unscripted programming. Its early flagship series was the Fox sitcom *New Girl*, starring Zooey Deschanel. The company has since produced the acclaimed Apple TV+ science fiction series *See*, starring Jason Momoa, and the Netflix comedy-drama *Away*, featuring Hilary Swank. Other notable series include the Fox musical comedy *Glee*, on which it served as a production partner, the TBS comedy *The Detour*, and the Hulu drama *The Dropout*, which chronicled the story of Elizabeth Holmes and Theranos. The company also produced the Netflix docuseries *The Playbook* and the Peacock series *Based on a True Story*.

Key personnel

The company's leadership is anchored by its founder, Peter Chernin, who serves as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. He is supported by President Jenno Topping, who oversees the film division and has been instrumental in developing projects like *Hidden Figures* and *The Greatest Showman*. The television division is led by President Kristin Burr, who manages the slate of series across broadcast networks and streaming platforms. Other key executives include Head of Film Scott Nemes and Head of Television James Giddens, who are responsible for day-to-day development and production operations.

Partnerships and ventures

The company's primary and longstanding partnership is its first-look film deal with 20th Century Studios, a unit of The Walt Disney Company. This pact has been the cornerstone of its film production for over a decade. In television, it has production agreements with multiple studios and networks, including Apple TV+, Netflix, and Warner Bros. Television. Beyond production, the company has engaged in strategic ventures such as a minority investment in the sports media company The Athletic, prior to its acquisition by The New York Times Company. It also co-founded the podcast and audio storytelling company Chestnut Hill Productions, which has a deal with Apple Podcasts.

Category:American film production companies Category:American television production companies Category:Companies based in Los Angeles Category:Entertainment companies established in 2009