The founder of New Line Cinema, Robert Shaye was CEO of the company from 1967 to 2008, and in that time became one of a very rare breed – a studio head who actually has his own cult following. Shaye is especially popular among members of the NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET fan base, who took a liking to him through his cameos in the films and his appearances (and stories told about him) in the special features and documentaries. His cameo in FREDDY'S DEAD is pictured above.
Although he has had a hand in the production and/or distribution of over 500 movies, Shaye has only directed two features himself – the 1990 teen comedy THE BOOK OF LOVE and the 2007 fantasy film THE LAST MIMZY.
Shaye is now in production on his third directorial effort, a mystery thriller called GIFTED. Written by John Rocco, Jenna Wright, and Donald Winston Wylie, the film is
about a young aspiring musician preparing for a competition and is incredibly confidant and gets herself involved in a frightening trap that she has to find her way out of. It raises the question: If an insane person is telling a story, is it real? The audience will have to decide."
Katherine Hughes, Giles Matthey, John Kroft, Kyanna Simone Simpson, Dylan McNamara, and Sonoya Mizuno star.
Filming is taking place in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Shaye is producing GIFTED with his former co-CEO at New Line, Michael Lynne, as well as Benjamin Sacks and Sarah Victor. Yuli Masinovsky and Phillip Goldfine are executive producing.
Sonoya Mizuno