Jason Constantine, co-president of the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, died at his home in Los Angeles on June 3, 2025, after a long battle with brain cancer. He was 55 years old.

Constantine began his career more than 25 years ago at Trimark Pictures, the predecessor company of 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, which has similarly grossed more than $1 billion at the global box office.

Constantine’s work extended across multiple successful film projects, including “The Expendables” franchise, best picture Oscar winner “Crash,” Lee Daniels’ “Precious,” and Rian Johnson’s “Knives Out.” He was also involved with action films such as “The Hitman’s Bodyguard,” “Kick Ass,” “Rambo: Last Blood,” “Angel Has Fallen,” and “Plane.”

The executive worked on critically acclaimed films including “The Girl with the Pearl Earring,” “Arbitrage,” “Margin Call,” and “Dear White People.” His horror film contributions included “Cabin in the Woods,” “Cabin Fever,” and the Rob Zombie “Rejects” trilogy. Constantine also worked on the faith-based film “I Can Only Imagine.”

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 described his affinity for unique material that generates uncommonly good movies.

Lionsgate issued a statement following Constantine’s death, indicating that he embodied the very best of their studio and industry. The company noted that Constantine’s “influence will continue to be felt in many of our most successful franchises.” The studio described his career as built around principles that great ideas can come from anywhere, box office triumphs should be shared by entire teams, and creative choices need to be bold and daring.

Australian filmmaker James Wan paid tribute to Constantine, sharing photos of the pair together on social media. Wan indicated that Constantine believed in the “Saw” project so much that he brought it to Lionsgate and championed it before the movie was even shot. The director thanked Constantine for helping transform what began as a student film into a billion-dollar franchise.

Constantine was known for his encyclopedic knowledge of films and his generous spirit outside of work. Each 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’s degree from Princeton University and his master’s degree 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 for years. His colleagues described him as a highly respected executive, trusted partner, and cherished friend whose fearless spirit and creative energy defined his approach to filmmaking.

He is survived by his wife, Kristin, and his three sons: Lucas, Nicholas, and Xander. The family has established a “boombox” account for people to send written stories and photos to commemorate Constantine’s life and career.

In lieu of flowers, the Constantine family requests donations to fund brain cancer research conducted by his neurosurgeons. Donations can be made to support Dr. Michael Lim’s research at Stanford Medicine or to fund research conducted by Constantine’s neuro-oncology team at UCLA, led by Dr. Tim Cloughesy and Dr. Robert Chong.