Utopia Taps ‘The Musical’ Producer Greg Lauritano As Studio Expands Originals Arm – Sundance
EXCLUSIVE: Ahead of Sundance, The Musical‘s producer Greg Lauritano will be joining Utopia‘s division Utopia Originals, expanding the New York presence of the Robert Schwartzman founded studio.
Utopia Originals launched as a standalone entity, operating independently from its distribution sister company, with its projects landing global distribution at studios such as Universal, Sony & Lionsgate. One of its latest productions was the Gia Coppola directed multi-award winning movie The Last Showgirl which was released by Roadside Attractions in 2024. The Originals company develops, packages and finances both feature and episodic, scripted and unscripted projects. With Lauritano’s addition, the plan is for Utopia Originals to expand into bigger budget independent features with established stars.
Lauritano’s latest feature as producer, The Musical, is making its world premiere on Sunday at the Eccles Theatre in Park City, UT in Sundance’s U.S. dramatic competition. The pic directed by Giselle Bonilla and starring Will Brill, Rob Lowe and Gillian Jacobs follows a frustrated playwright and middle school theater teacher who learns that his ex-girlfriend has started dating his nemesis, the school’s principal. He decides to ruin the principal’s chances of winning the Blue Ribbon of Academic Excellence.
Lauritano also has Family Movie, directed by and starring Kyra Sedgwick and Kevin Bacon, (also starring their children, Travis and Sosie) premiering at this year’s SXSW Film Festival in March.
Additionally, he produced Natasha Kermani’s British gothic-horror The Dreadful, starring Sophie Turner (who also produces), Kit Harington, and Marcia Gay Harden, which Lionsgate is releasing in theaters next month.
Lauritano also produced Andrew Durham’s Fairyland alongside Sofia Coppola, which premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. That film starred Emilia Jones, Scoot McNairy, Cody Fern, Maria Bakalova, Adam Lambert, and Geena Davis. Lionsgate released the film in theatres to a 96% certified fresh critical score on Rotten Tomatoes. The film received a 2026 GLAAD Award nomination.
Lauritano’s other notable titles include Emma Westenberg’s Bleeding Love, which premiered at SXSW, starring Clara and Ewan McGregor. He produced that pic in partnership with Christine Vachon and Killer Films. In addition, he produced Brian Petsos’s Big Gold Brick with EPs Kristen Wiig and Oscar Isaac; the movie stars Andy Garcia, Emory Cohen and Isaac.
“I’ve been an admirer of Utopia for a long time,” said Lauritano. “The company occupies a vital space in the independent film world, championing bold filmmakers with distinctive voices. I’m thrilled to have built a relationship with the team, as well as directly with Robert, whose range of talents and impeccable taste are truly inspiring. Above all, Utopia represents a passionate, sincere group of people who continue to fight for originality in cinema.”
“It takes a lot of trust, creative and strategic alignment, and a collaborative spirit to get projects in motion. At a time where both pre-sale and independent financing models are faced with uncertainties, a willingness and optimism to find creative solutions means everything,” said Schwartzman. “Greg has those qualities and we’re looking forward to growing Utopia’s original content division together.”
Utopia Originals label has also made waves with recent titles such as Alex Ross Perry’s Pavements, Schwartzman’s Nick Jonas and Brittany Snow led The Good Half as well as the critically acclaimed Hung Up On A Dream: The Zombies feature documentary with EPs Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman for Playtone.
Utopia’s releases include Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis, Gaspar Noé’s Vortex, Emma Seligman’s Shiva Baby, Sean Price Williams’ The Sweet East, Ali Abassi’s Holy Spider, and documentaries Meet Me In The Bathroom, Marc Maron’s Are We Good?, and the Mike Figgis’ MegaDoc.
Lauritano continues to be represented by WME Independent.
