http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout ... egoryid=13
Posted: Wed., Mar. 23, 2005, 12:11pm PT

New Line, HBO pick up Newmarket

Berney to lead new division

By CLAUDE BRODESSER, BEN FRITZ


This article was updated at 12:57 p.m.
New Line Cinema and HBO Films are planning to acquire Newmarket Theatrical Distribution and combine it with specialty label Fine Line.

Newmarket Films topper Bob Berney is expected to lead the reformed division, which will take a new name. Insiders say he'll report to HBO Films topper Colin Callender and New Line co-chairman Michael Lynne.

Deal could turn the mini-major's struggling indie division into a major player on par with competitors like Fox Searchlight.

It would also answer questions that have swirled around the future of Fine Line, which has gained little b.o. traction for its critically acclaimed pics like "Vera Drake" and "The Sea Inside" and has clashed with HBO Films over its distribution and marketing for that label's pics, most recently "Maria, Full of Grace."

It's still unclear what will happen to the relatively small staffs of Fine Line and HBO Films after the deal is complete.

Studio is expected to announce the deal in a conference call Wednesday afternoon.

New Line declined to comment.