MUMBAI: 20th Century Fox movie studio former co-chairman Tom Rothman has reached a deal to produce up to four films per year for a joint venture with Sony Pictures Entertainment, the company said last week.

Starting 1 September, Rothman will serve as chairman of a venture with the studio called TriStar Productions. Sony will provide financing and retain worldwide distribution rights for TriStar's films, and Rothman will receive an equity stake.

Rothman left his job as chairman and chief executive of Fox Filmed Entertainment in January after 18 years at the company, where he oversaw filmmaking operations that produced blockbusters including Avatar and Titanic.