Contents • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Early life [ ] Kassar was born on October 10, 1951 in,. Like him, his father was also an independent movie producer. Kassar is of and descent. At the age of 15, Kassar had purchased several and films for distribution in the.

Carolco Pictures [ ] 1970s and Vajna [ ] Kassar met at the. A year later, Kassar and Vajna founded. 'Carolco' was a name they had taken from a long-defunct company based in. 'We just bought the name,' Kassar later told. 'It means nothing.' The first film Kassar and Vajna ventured together was, a 1976 film that starred. They bought the rights to the film for $130,000.

Kassar flew to and sold it for $220,000. By the early 1980s, Vajna and Kassar had bought a small office in. Their desks faced each other in the office and Vajna’s wife and Kassar’s girlfriend were their secretaries. Kassar and Vajna served as executive producers on (1980), (1981), and (1981). The latter film marked the first time for both Kassar and Vajna to have worked with. 1980s and Rambo [ ] In 1980, Kassar and Vajna paid approximately $383,000 for the rights of 's 1972 novel,. Even though they overpaid him, Kassar and Vajna cast Stallone as because they knew the actor's star status could be used to secure the requisite investment.

Nebraska cold cases Oct 27. * Mario Reyes, 31, and Jose Garcia, 23, Lincoln. Circumstances: Found dead of smoke inhalation in a garage at 500 S.W.

The result,, was a major hit in October 1982, and eventually made $125 million on its $14 million investment, making Carolco a major Hollywood production company. According to the, a group associated with Kassar's family was instrumental in financing the film. From the mid to late 1980s, Kassar executive produced: (1985) and (1988), both of them also released by Carolco. Kassar also executive produced (1987) and (1989), as well as having produced (1988). 'They knew the international distribution business so well,' remembers, who directed Angel Heart for Carolco.

'They figured out that 60 percent of the revenue of a film comes from outside the U.S. Andy and Mario personally knew all the worldwide local independent distributors.' In 1989, Vajna left Carolco and sold his interests to Kassar.

'After Rambo, we were trying to become a major studio. I felt that was the wrong direction,' Vajna told. 'My feelings were very negative and it caused a lot of friction between Mario, myself, and Peter (Hoffman), who was by then Mario's right hand. I disagreed with where they wanted to go, and Peter played our egos against each other. He wanted to be a partner.'

Kassar and Vajna's partnership had fallen apart that year, and the latter was paid approximately $100 million for his share in the company. Kassar carried on with Peter Hoffman, who was president/chief executive of Carolco at the time since 1986. Hoffman had been introduced to Kassar by, who would later become head of. 's defunct studio,, along with its headquarters in was purchased by Hoffman at Kassar's urging.

1990s and Hoffman [ ] Films that Kassar executive produced during the 1990s included (1990), (1990), (1990), (1991), (1991), (1991), (1991), (1992), (1993), (1994), (1995), (1995) and (1995). Kassar also produced (1992) and (1992).

During that time, relations between Kassar and Hoffman had degenerated into mistrust and. Hoffman thought Kassar's largesse was destroying the company; Kassar suspected Hoffman was scheming to depose him. Hoffman later resigned on March 1992 with a $1.8 million settlement.

A falling out that he had with Kassar was what caused Hoffman to resign. 'They're extraordinary men, but they couldn't prevent confusion, conflict and disintegration,' says, who produced Carolco's L.A. 'There were armed camps on both sides,' recalls Melnick, who resigned from the Carolco board in April 1991.

Kassar paid $10 million to for him to star in Total Recall and $15 million to for him to star in Basic Instinct. '(Kassar) was a big-time riverboat gambler,' says, who coproduced the $43 million The Doors with Kassar. Kassar went as far as even giving Schwarzenegger his own airplane, which costed an additional $17 million.

Eventually, a judge froze $2.2 million of Kassar's shares and limited his access to company accounts. Kassar attempted to produce the now Bartholomew vs. Neff, a film which would have starred Stallone and. Carolco lost about $47 million on Cutthroat Island and went into bankruptcy on 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., 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.' Kassar also executive produced (1997), which was directed by and starred, and. C2 Pictures and Magnetik Media [ ] In 1998, he reunited with Vajna again and together they founded, which produced (2002), (2003) and (2006). Kassar later confirmed on March 11, 2009 that as a result of the latter movie being a failure at the, plans for a third chapter were shelved and C2 Pictures officially ended the Basic Instinct/ franchise.

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 franchise. Kassar also co-founded with Erick J. Feitshans and it was announced on May 15, 2007 that Magnetik Media signed (2007) and (2008) from 's studio,. Late 2000s [ ] According to, it was announced on August 7, 2008 that Kassar was reportedly collaborating with the on a that would recount the life of. It was reported that Kassar also participated on (2009).

However, it was later revealed that he and Vajna sold the to Derek Anderson and Victor Kubicek of the Halcyon Group in 2007. Kassar received $30 million for the purchase.

Audition and Brick Top [ ] announced on October 4, 2012 that Kassar was backing Schuyler Moore, who is helping raise $100 million for the -based Infiniti Media Fund. On June 2014, it was reported that Kassar will be producing an English language remake of 's 1999 film,, which is based on the 1997. Kassar's remake will be set in the and will be written and directed by Richard Gray. On November 24, 2014, 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.' Carolco relaunch [ ] On January 20, 2015, it was announced that Carolco Pictures was back when Brick Top acquired its name.

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.

'The major difference between now and then are the advances in technology and cinematography not previously available to Carolco Pictures 20 years ago,' Kassar said. 'Combined with these advances the best movies I will ever produce are still yet to come.' Alex Bafer, now Carolco Pictures’ CEO, said Kassar 'is hands-down the world’s greatest producer of mega-hit films. We couldn’t be more excited than to have Mario return as the chairman of the board. Our goal now is to not only restore the Carolco brand back to its rightful place in Hollywood, but also to build an entirely new library of memorable films for today’s generation.' Personal life [ ] Kassar resides in and their three daughters, Natasha, Tatiana and Anastasia. On November 14, 2013, it was reported by the that Kassar's name was apparently mentioned in an email exchange between and his stalker, Genevieve Sabourin.

Filmography [ ] • (1980) • (1981) • (1981) • (1982) • (1982) • (1985) • (1987) • (1987) • (1988) • (1988) • (1989) • (1989) • (1990) • (1990) • (1990) • (1990) • (1990) • (1990) • (1991) • (1991) • (1991) • (1991) • (1992) • (1992) • (1992) • (1992) • (1993) • (1993) • (1994) • (1995) • (1995) • (1995) • (1997) • (2002) • (2003) • (2006) • (2008-2009) • (2009) References [ ]. • ^ • ^ Lambie, Ryan (11 March 2014)... Retrieved 25 February 2015.

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