Mario Kassar

Mario Kassar (; born October 10, 1951 Like him, his father was also an independent movie producer.

Carolco Pictures 1970s and Vajna Kassar met Andrew G. Vajna at the 1975 Cannes Film Festival. "Carolco" was a name they had taken from a long-defunct company based in Panama. "We just bought the name," Kassar later told Entertainment Weekly. "It means nothing." Even though they overpaid him, Kassar and Vajna cast Stallone as John Rambo because they knew the actor's star status could be used to secure the requisite investment. The result, First Blood, was a major hit in October 1982, and eventually made $125 million on its $14 million investment, making Carolco a major Hollywood production company.

From the mid to late 1980s, Kassar executive produced two Rambo sequels: Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985) and Rambo III (1988), both of them also released by Carolco. Kassar also executive produced Angel Heart (1987) and Johnny Handsome (1989), as well as having produced Red Heat (1988). During that time, relations between Kassar and Hoffman had degenerated into mistrust and antipathy. Hoffman thought Kassar's largesse was destroying the company; Kassar suspected Hoffman was scheming to depose him. A falling out with Kassar led to Hoffman's resignation in March 1992 with a $1.8 million settlement.

"They're extraordinary men, but they couldn't prevent confusion, conflict and disintegration," says Daniel Melnick, who produced Carolco's L.A. Story. Kassar went as far as even giving Schwarzenegger his own airplane, which cost an additional $17 million. Eventually, a Los Angeles judge froze $2.2 million of Kassar's shares and limited his access to company accounts.

Kassar attempted to produce the now shelved Bartholomew vs. Neff, a John Hughes film which would have starred Stallone and John Candy.

Carolco lost about $47 million on Cutthroat Island and went into bankruptcy in November 1995, six weeks before the film was released to theatres. Nevertheless, Kassar received his $1 million fee.

Post-bankruptcy Paramount and Lolita In the wake of Carolco's collapse, Kassar shifted his employment to Paramount Pictures and started Mario Kassar Productions. Sherry Lansing, chairman of Paramount, said: "I am thrilled that Mario will be making his new home at Paramount. Mario excels at producing major action-adventure films with high level directors and cast that have worldwide appeal. He also brings creative financial arrangements to the films he makes. We all look forward to our new relationship with him and the exciting projects he will bring to the studio."

Mario Kassar said: "I have the highest regard for Sherry Lansing and the rest of the Paramount team. Jon Dolgen and I have had a great working relationship for years. Since I've always worked outside the studio system, I am very happy to begin my post-Carolco career with a studio as flexible, dynamic and creative as Paramount. I can't wait to make films in such an environment." he reunited with Vajna again and together they founded C2 Pictures, which produced I Spy (2002), Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003) and Basic Instinct 2 (2006). C2 Pictures was later disbanded afterwards and it was later revealed that Vajna and Kassar founded the company only for the purpose of reviving the Terminator franchise.

Late 2000s According to Today's Zaman, it was announced on August 7, 2008, that Kassar was reportedly collaborating with the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation on a miniseries that would recount the life of Suleiman the Magnificent.

It was reported that Kassar also participated on Terminator Salvation (2009).

Audition and Brick Top The Hollywood Reporter announced on October 4, 2012, that Kassar was backing Schuyler Moore, who is helping raise $100 million for the Singapore-based Infiniti Media Fund.

In June 2014, it was reported that Kassar will be producing an English language remake of Takashi Miike's 1999 film, Audition, which is based on the 1997 novel of the same name by Ryū Murakami. Kassar's remake will be set in the United States and will be written and directed by Richard Gray.

On November 24, 2014, Brick Top Productions had entered into an Executive Services Agreement with Kassar. Alexander Bafer, Brick Top's CEO said, "There is no human being on this planet better than Mario Kassar at making true Hollywood blockbusters. I am honored with this opportunity to work with him." Brick Top Productions officially changed its corporate name to Carolco Pictures Inc.

On February 17, 2015, it was announced that Kassar had returned as chairman of the board of directors of the currently relaunched Carolco Pictures. "One of my greatest joys in life was being the chairman of Carolco Pictures ... I am elated to return to that position, to produce the world's greatest movies once again under the Carolco brand for my fans and people everywhere to enjoy," Kassar said.

Personal life Kassar resides in Holmby Hills with his wife Denise Richard-Kassar and their three daughters, Natasha, Tatiana and Anastasia.

Filmography Executive producer

The Changeling (1980) The Amateur (1981) Superstition (1982) First Blood (1982) Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985) Angel Heart (1987) Extreme Prejudice (1987) Rambo III (1988) Red Heat (1988) DeepStar Six (1989) Johnny Handsome (1989) Mountains of the Moon (1990) Total Recall (1990) Air America (1990) Repossessed (1990) Narrow Margin (1990) Jacob's Ladder (1990) L.A. Story (1991) The Doors (1991) Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) Rambling Rose (1991) Light Sleeper (1992) Basic Instinct (1992) Universal Soldier (1992) Cliffhanger (1993) Heaven & Earth (1993) Stargate (1994) Last of the Dogmen (1995) Showgirls (1995) Cutthroat Island (1995) Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (2008–09) Terminator Salvation (2009) Foxtrot Six (2019)

Producer

Chaplin (1992) Lolita (1997) I Spy (2002) Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003) Basic Instinct 2 (2006) Z (2019) The Z Team (TBA)

Writer

Habibie & Ainun 3 (2019)

Actor

Your Ticket Is No Longer Valid (1981)

Presenter

The Silent Partner (1978) The Changeling (1980) Your Ticket Is No Longer Valid (1981) Superstition (1982) First Blood (1982) Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985) Extreme Prejudice (1987) Red Heat (1988) DeepStar Six (1989) Johnny Handsome (1989) Total Recall (1990) Air America (1990) Narrow Margin (1990) L.A. Story (1991) The Doors (1991) Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) Light Sleeper (1992) Basic Instinct (1992) Universal Soldier (1992) Chaplin (1992) Cliffhanger (1993) Last of the Dogmen (1995) Cutthroat Island (1995) Lolita (1997)

Thanks

Hamlet (1990) The Directors (2007) (Documentary) Showgirls 2: Penny's from Heaven (2011) (Direct-to-video)