Mike Fleming

EXCLUSIVE: QED International is committing to spend serious coin on scripts and pitches that it hopes will translate into features with global appeal. QED CEO Bill Block has hired Nick Reimond to steer that effort as VP of Development and Production.

QED is getting started quickly, wrapping up deals for two spec scripts: the Zina Zaflow-scripted romantic comedy 52 Percent, and Leave, a thriller scripted by Andrew Barrer and Gabriel Ferrari.

Reimond comes to QED from Scott Rudin Productions and before that spent three years at Maguire Entertainment/Material Pictures. He started at Michael De Luca Productions. Reimond will be tasked with bringing in projects as Block intends to make QED a prolific buyer of material at a time when development spending is drying up all over town.

“We’re excited to develop these two outstanding scripts, which highlight our interest in romantic comedy and genre fare that can resonate across the global marketplace,” Block said. “Nick’s excellent eye for material and keen understanding of the marketplace make him a valuable member of our team as we continue to expand QED’s international footprint.”

The spec 52 Percent is the story of a longtime married couple that is contemplating divorce. A clash develops between their daughter, who hopes for reconciliation, and a jaded young divorce attorney unwilling to lose a client without a fight. Zaflow is repped by Chad Snopek Management.

The spec Leave is a Vietnam-era thriller which follows a group of U.S. soldiers suffering from post-traumatic stress while on leave in Thailand. Barrer scripted Haunt, a Mac Carter-directed horror film that QED is producing with Rivergate Entertainment and Revolver Picture Company. That film is in production in Salt Lake City, with Jacki Weaver, Liana Liberato and Harrison Gilbertson starring. The scribes are repped by Prolific Entertainment and WME.

Besides Haunt, QED is currently in production on the action drama Ten, with David Ayer directing Arnold Schwarzenegger; the John Turturro-directed romantic comedy Fading Gigolo with Turturro and Woody Allen; and the label is starting production on Are We Officially Dating? with Zac Efron and Imogen Poots. QED is also developing another installment of James Patterson’s Alex Cross mysteries, even though the first, Alex Cross, underwhelmed.