Mumbai: Sony Pictures Entertainment has entered into an exclusive multi-year, first-look deal with Charles Roven and Atlas Entertainment, it was announced by presidents of Columbia Pictures Doug Belgrad and Matt Tolmach.

Roven, along with Atlas producer Richard Suckle, are producing Columbia Pictures’ The International starring Clive Owen and Naomi Watts and directed by Tom Tykwer, set for release 20 February 2009. Together with Atlas’ Alex Gartner, Roven produced the #1 hit film Get Smart, which opened to $39.2 million this weekend. Roven also produced the highly-anticipated sequel to Batman Begins, The Dark Knight (18 July) directed by Christopher Nolan.

Tolmach said, "Chuck is an incredibly passionate, hands-on producer who has a gift for combining elegant and sophisticated storytelling with a commercial sensibility. He is also someone we have known and worked with for many years and are thrilled to be formally reuniting with him and his entire team at Atlas."

Sony Pictures co-chairman Amy Pascal added, "Chuck is equal parts Renaissance man and business man. He is the kind of producer who delivers entertaining and engaging material on time and on budget and that’s a rare commodity these days. I am thrilled to be reuniting with him and the tremendous team at Atlas once again."

"We are in a fortunate position at Atlas to be able to explore many different opportunities," said Roven. "Amy, Matt and I developed a number of great properties at Turner, and I’m very excited to finally have the chance to bring our relationship full circle. Every division at Sony Pictures excels at what they do and all of us at Atlas are delighted to be expanding an already productive filmmaking experience."