Marc Resteghini: Last News

Joe Otterson TV Reporter A “Wings of Fire” animated series based on the books of the same name is in development at Amazon MGM Studios, Variety has learned exclusively. Fans of the books by author Tui T. Sutherland will no doubt rejoice, as this is now the second attempt to adapt the books for the screen.

Amazon Studios’ is shaking up the leadership of its TV programming operations under Head of Television Vernan Sanders, I have learned. Marc Resteghini is stepping down as US/Global Head of Development, sources said. He is negotiating a producing deal with Amazon Studios. Nick Pepper, Head of Studio Creative Content, and Laura Lancaster, Head of Series, are expected to divvy up Resteghini’s responsibilities and co-run development and production of TV content, reporting to Sanders. MGM TV’s operations remain separate and do not factor into the current executive changes. A rep for Amazon Studios declined comment.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large Amazon Studios is merging its Prime Video and Freevee unscripted teams  under the oversight of reality TV vet Chris Castallo. Having previously focused on Prime Video fare, Castallo will now oversee unscripted for both outlets and report to Lauren Anderson, who was recently named head of AVOD original content and programming at Amazon Studios. The move comes following a restructure inside Amazon’s ad-supported video on demand service. Earlier this month, Ryan Pirozzi was named head of Freevee, overseeing the business side of the streaming service, while Anderson was given oversight for programming, which includes development, production, licensing, scheduling, research and strategy for Freevee and Prime Video’s ad-supported FAST linear channels. Anderson and Pirozzi had formerly served as co-heads of content and programming for Amazon Freevee (the ad-supported video on demand service that had been known as IMDb TV).

Joe Otterson TV ReporterAmazon has given a series order to “The Horror of Dolores Roach,” Variety has learned.The half-hour show, based on the Gimlet podcast of the same name, was originally given a pilot order at Amazon in June 2021.“We at Amazon Studios fell in love with this story along with everyone else as the podcast captured listeners,” said Marc Resteghini, head of development for Amazon Studios. “We couldn’t be more excited and fortunate to be working with such world-class creatives to bring Dolores Roach to screen in what is sure to be a captivating series.”In the series, Dolores Roach (Justina Machado) is released from prison after 16 years and returns to a severely gentrified Washington Heights with $200 and the clothes on her back.

EXCLUSIVE: Amazon Studios has signed an overall deal with TV scribe and playwright Brian Otaño.

Elaine Low Senior TV WriterNick Pepper is joining Amazon Studios as head of studio creative content, where he will be tasked with packaging and maximizing the studio’s intellectual property and talent deals.The hiring follows a restructuring of Amazon Studio’s executive leadership team last month, which included Marc Resteghini’s elevation to head of development and the addition of Laura Lancaster as head of series.

Elaine Low Senior TV WriterAmazon Studios is expanding and restructuring its executive leadership team, bringing on board Laura Lancaster as head of series and upping Marc Resteghini to head of development in both the U.S. and globally.