Jason Constantine, co-president of the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, has died after a battle with cancer. He was 55.
“With his fearless spirit, creative energy and enduring talent relationships, Jason embodied the very best of our studio and our industry,” said Lionsgate in a statement. “His influence will continue to be felt in many of our most successful franchises. His career was built around the principles that a great idea can come from anywhere, a box office triumph is meant to be shared by an entire team and our creative choices need to be bold and daring. We mourn the passing of a highly respected executive, a trusted partner and a cherished friend, and we extend our deepest condolences to his wife Kristin, his three children and his entire family.”
Constantine began working at Lionsgate more than 25 years ago, first as director of acquisitions at the company’s predecessor Trimark Pictures. He oversaw some of Lionsgate’s biggest franchises, including the Keanu Reeves-led action series “John Wick” and horror mainstay “Saw.” Constantine pushed for the company to acquire “Saw” after watching just a brief concept short; years later, both the “Saw” and “John Wick” franchises have grossed more than $1 billion at the global box office.
The exec also worked closely on “The Expendables,” best picture winner “Crash,” “Knives Out,” Oscar winner “Precious,” “I Can Only Imagine,” “The Hitman’s Bodyguard” “Kick Ass,” “Rambo: Last Blood,” “Angel Has Fallen,” “Plane,” “The Girl with the Pearl Earring,” “Arbitage,” “Margin Call,” “Dear White People,” “Cabin in the Woods” and the Rob Zombie “Rejects” trilogy.
A native Californian and lifelong film fan, Constantine received his B.A. from Princeton University and his M.F.A in film production from Loyola Marymount University. He wrote and directed the short films “For Whom the Wedding Bell Tolls” and “Ashes,” which won the Producers Guild of America Award for best student short film.
Constantine is survived by his wife, Kristin, and his sons Lucas, Xander and Nicholas.
In lieu of flowers, the Constantine family requests donations to Stanford Medicine and the UCLA neuro-oncology team.
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From Variety US