Jason Constantine, co-president of the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, died June 3 at his home in Los Angeles after a long battle with brain cancer. He was 55.
Constantine began his career more than 25 years ago at Trimark Pictures, the predecessor company to Lionsgate, where he served as director of acquisitions. He rose through the ranks to become co-president of the Lionsgate motion picture group, overseeing some of the studio’s most successful franchises.
The executive was instrumental in acquiring the “Saw” franchise after viewing a brief concept short from then-unknown director James Wan and writer-star Leigh Whannell. Constantine pushed for the studio to acquire the project, which later became a billion-dollar franchise. He also oversaw the “John Wick” series starring Keanu Reeves, another billion-dollar franchise for the studio.
Constantine’s extensive filmography includes “The Expendables” franchise, best picture Oscar winner “Crash,” Lee Daniels’ “Precious,” which received five Academy Award nominations and won two Oscars, and Rian Johnson’s “Knives Out,” which grossed $312 million globally. He also worked on “I Can Only Imagine,” “The Hitman’s Bodyguard,” “Kick Ass,” “Rambo: Last Blood,” “Angel Has Fallen,” and “Plane.”
His portfolio included critically acclaimed films such as “The Girl with the Pearl Earring,” “Arbitrage,” “Margin Call,” and “Dear White People.” Constantine also brought horror favorites “Cabin in the Woods,” “Cabin Fever,” and Rob Zombie’s “Rejects” trilogy to audiences.
In 2008, Constantine was promoted to President of Acquisitions and Co-Productions, reporting to Lionsgate co-COO and motion picture group president Joe Drake. Drake praised Constantine’s creative instincts and noted his affinity for unique material that generated uncommonly good movies.
Lionsgate released a statement honoring their colleague, describing Constantine as someone who embodied the very best of their studio and the film industry. The studio noted that his fearless spirit, creative energy, and enduring talent relationships would continue to influence many of their most successful franchises. Lionsgate indicated that “his career was built around the principles that a great idea can come from anywhere.”
The studio’s statement emphasized that Constantine believed box office triumphs should be shared by entire teams and that creative choices needed to be bold and daring. They mourned the passing of what they called a highly respected executive, trusted partner, and cherished friend.
Australian filmmaker James Wan, who worked with Constantine on most of the “Saw” movies, posted a tribute on social media. Wan credited Constantine with believing in the “Saw” project and bringing it to Lionsgate before the movie was even shot. He thanked Constantine for helping transform what began as a student film into a billion-dollar franchise.
Constantine was known throughout the industry for his encyclopedic knowledge of films and his generous spirit. Every year at Christmas, he created a model train village in his yard that captured the holiday spirit and touched people beyond his neighborhood community. He was recognized for relentlessly championing new ideas, emerging bold voices, and original intellectual property that defied conventional wisdom.
A native of California, Constantine earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Princeton University and his Master of Fine Arts in film production from Loyola Marymount University. During his studies, he wrote and directed two short films: “For Whom the Wedding Bell Tolls,” a romantic comedy, and “Ashes,” a drama that won the Producers Guild of America Award for best student short film.
Constantine was a fixture on the festival circuit and a major player in the acquisitions space throughout his career. His influence extended beyond individual films to shape the strategic direction of one of Hollywood’s most successful independent studios.
Constantine is survived by his wife, Kristin, and his three sons: Lucas, Nicholas, and Xander. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, mourners consider donations to fund brain cancer research conducted by his neurosurgeons: Dr. Michael Lim at Stanford and Dr. Tim Cloughesy and Dr. Robert Chong at UCLA.
A memorial account has been established for people to send written stories and photos to the Constantine family. The family has set up specific donation links for those wishing to contribute to the brain cancer research efforts at both Stanford Medicine and UCLA’s neuro-oncology team.
