Relativity Studios Names Matt Alvarez EVP of Production and President of Newly Formed Multicultural Division

A Producer of Such Hits as Ride Along and the Barbershop Franchise, Alvarez Will Help Grow Relativity’s Slate and Build a New Division Focused on Multicultural Films Division Launches with Gina Prince-Bythewood’s Beyond The Lights 

(Beverly Hills, Calif.) August 12, 2014 –Relativity Studios today announced that Matt Alvarez, a producer and executive producer of hits such as Ride Along, the Barbershop franchise and Relativity’s upcoming Beyond the Lights, is joining the company as EVP of Production and President of Relativity Studios’ newly formed multicultural division.

Alvarez, who has been behind some of the most successful multicultural films, will work on building out Relativity Studios’ growing slate with a focus on projects driven by diverse filmmakers. Alvarez will begin his new role this month.

“Matt Alvarez is one of the most creative and successful executives in our industry and is the perfect person to build out our new multicultural division,” said Relativity President Tucker Tooley. “He has a keen eye, remarkable relationships and an incredible track-record. We have had a great experience working with him on Beyond the Lights and look forward to building off that success.”

“Relativity is a wonderful home for filmmakers and creative talent as I learned while collaborating with them on Beyond the Lights,” said Alvarez. “I am excited to work with Tucker, Robbie and their entire team on implementing our vision for a multicultural division.”

The new division launches with Beyond the Lights, the story of Noni Jean, a hot new award-winning artist who is primed for superstardom, which will be released in theaters on November 14, 2014. The film stars Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Nate Parker, Minnie Driver, Colson MGK Baker and Danny Glover. Gina Prince-Bythewood wrote and directed the film, which was produced by Stephanie Allain, Reggie Rock Bythewood, Ryan Kavanaugh and Amar’e Stoudemire. Tooley and Alvarez serve as executive producers.

Alvarez began his career at New Line Cinema.  While at New Line, Alvarez worked on such films as Rumble in the Bronx and Deconstructing Harry. He later launched Cube Vision with legendary rapper/actor Ice Cube. While at Cube Vision, Alvarez produced such films as Next Friday, the Barbershop franchise, the Are We There Yet? franchise and All About the Benjamins.  Most recently, he produced Ride Along and is currently producing Ride Along 2 and Straight Outta Compton, the bio-pic about legendary rap group NWA.

A highly prolific producer, Alvarez’s theatrical box office revenues total more than $800 million worldwide.