James G. Robinson

Biography

James G. Robinson, born on December 16, 1935, in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, is a prominent American film producer and executive. He is widely recognized as the co-founder, CEO, and Chairman of Morgan Creek Productions, an independent film production company that has been behind numerous notable films across various genres.

Founding Morgan Creek and Key Productions:

Robinson co-founded Morgan Creek Entertainment alongside Joe Roth. This venture allowed him to finance and produce films outside the traditional studio system, taking on the financial risks and rewards of independent production. He has often articulated his belief in the risk-taking nature of independent filmmaking, stating, "The one word that separates an independent production company from all others is risk."

Under his leadership, Morgan Creek Productions became known for a diverse slate of films. Some of his most well-known producer or executive producer credits include:

Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991): A major box office success starring Kevin Costner.

The Last of the Mohicans (1992): A critically acclaimed historical drama.

True Romance (1993): A crime thriller written by Quentin Tarantino.

Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994) and Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls (1995): These comedies helped introduce Jim Carrey to a wider audience.

Major League II (1994) and Major League: Back to the Minors (1998) are popular sports comedies.

Dead Ringers (1988): A psychological thriller.

Young Guns (1988) and Young Guns II (1990): Popular Westerns.

The Good Shepherd (2006): A spy drama directed by Robert De Niro.

Two for the Money (2005): A drama about sports gambling.

The Exorcist franchise, including Exorcist: The Beginning (2004), Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist (2005), and The Exorcist: Believer (2023).

Philosophy and Impact:

Robinson's philosophy on filmmaking emphasizes creative freedom and financial prudence. He has expressed that while making money is essential to continue making movies, the greatest satisfaction comes from creating a film that is genuinely good and performs well, describing it as an "emotional home run." He also highlights his aversion to debt in his business operations.

Beyond film production, Morgan Creek Music Group, also under Robinson's purview, has specialized in music within films, contributing to the sale of millions of soundtracks worldwide.

James G. Robinson continues to be an active force in the film industry, with upcoming projects including "The Exorcist: Deceiver." He is the father of David Robinson.