James Lopez

James Lopez
Lopez in 2018
Born1968 (age 57–58)
EducationSam Houston State University (BS)
OccupationsFilm producer and executive
Years active2000–present
Known forFilmography

James Lopez (born 1968) is an American producer, film executive, and former music executive. He is the president of Macro Film Studios since 2021, and has received nominations for two Black Reel Awards and one Film Independent Spirit Award. He is a member of the executive branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.[1]

Career

Lopez began in entertainment as a music executive before transitioning into film. In 2000, Lopez started as senior vice president of marketing at Atlantic Records. At Atlantic, he oversaw marketing campaigns for various multi-platinum artists, including T.I. and Sean Paul. He also oversaw soundtracks for films including Hustle & Flow (2005) and Avatar (2009).[2] His work in soundtracks and music videos would influence a move into the film industry.[3]

After Atlantic, Lopez moved to become a senior vice president of production at Screen Gems,[3] a label of Sony Pictures Entertainment. In 2015, he left Screen Gems to become a producer and head of motion pictures at Will Packer Productions.[4] In 2021, Lopez became the president of Macro Film Studios, and oversees development, production, and distribution of their slate.[5]

Lopez has worked as a producer for a variety of films, including What Men Want (2019), Little (2019), The Photograph (2020), Beast (2022), and One of Them Days (2025). He has also worked as an executive producer on films including Girls Trip (2017), Night School (2018), They Cloned Tyrone (2023), and Freaky Tales (2024).

Personal life

Lopez is an alumnus of Sam Houston State University.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Credit Notes
2012 Think Like a Man Executive in charge of production
2013 Battle of The Year Executive in charge of production
2014 Think Like a Man Too Executive in charge of production
About Last Night Executive in charge of production
#AmeriCan Producer Short
2015 The Wedding Ringer Executive in charge of production
The Perfect Guy Executive in charge of production
2016 When The Bough Breaks Executive in charge of production
Almost Christmas Executive Producer
2017 Girls Trip Executive Producer
2018 Breaking In Producer
Night School Executive Producer
2019 What Men Want Producer (p.g.a)[a]
Little Producer (p.g.a)[a]
Jacob's Ladder Executive Producer
2020 The Photograph Producer (p.g.a)[a]
2022 Beast Producer (p.g.a)[a]
2023 Young. Wild. Free. Producer
Praise This Producer Television Film
They Cloned Tyrone Executive Producer
Oracle Producer
2024 Freaky Tales Executive Producer
2025 One of Them Days Producer (p.g.a)[a]
Wizkid: Long Live Lagos Executive Producer Documentary
Eternal Return Producer Upcoming Release
2026 Rock Springs Producer Festivals

Upcoming

Year Title Credit Notes
TBD Samo Lives Producer Post-production
Don't Ever Wonder Producer Production
One of Them Days 2 Producer Pre-production[6]

Selected Discography

Albums

As Music Executive

Year Album Artist Certification
2000 Da Baddest Bitch Trina Gold[7]
2001 Jealous Ones Still Envy (J.O.S.E.) Fat Joe Platinum[8]
Born to Do It Craig David Platinum[9]
Thugs Are Us Trick Daddy Platinum[10]
2002 Watermelon, Chicken & Gritz Nappy Roots Platinum[11]
Loyalty Fat Joe Gold[8]
Diamond Princess Trina
Dutty Rock Sean Paul 3x Platinum[12]
Thug Holiday Trick Daddy Gold[10]
2003 Trap Muzik T.I. Platinum[13]
Wooden Leather Nappy Roots
2004 Kamikaze Twista 2x Platinum[14]
Urban Legend T.I. 2x Platinum[13]
Thug Matrimony: Married to the Streets Trick Daddy Platinum[10]
Real Talk Fabolous Gold[15]
2005 The Minstrel Show Little Brother
I Gotta Make It Trey Songz
2006 King T.I. 2x Platinum[13]
2007 T.I. vs. T.I.P. T.I. Platinum[13]
2008 Paper Trail T.I. 4x Platinum[13]

Film Soundtracks and Albums

As Music Executive

Year Movie Artist
2005 Hustle & Flow Various
2007 Daddy's Little Girls Various
P.S. I Love You Various
2008 Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist Various
2009 Avatar Jack Horner

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Production Result
2023 Black Reel Awards Outstanding TV Movie or Limited Series Praise This Nominated[16]
2026 Outstanding Film One of Them Days Nominated[17]
2026 Independent Spirit Awards Best First Feature One of Them Days Nominated[18]

Notes

a.^ ^ ^ ^ ^ The PGA mark, introduced in 2012, certifies that a listed producer has performed a major portion of the producing duties on a motion picture, marking eligibility for some awards nominations in the role of producer.

References

  1. ^ Stedman, Alex. "Academy Invites 683 New Members in Push for More Diversity". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Archived from the original on July 6, 2019. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
  2. ^ "Careers in Film Summit 2016 Biographies". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Archived from the original on November 24, 2025. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
  3. ^ a b Green, Chris (May 2021). "James Lopez". Produced By. Los Angeles, CA: Producers Guild of America. pp. 28–35. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
  4. ^ Fleming, Mike. "James Lopez Moves From Screen Gems To Will Packer's Universal-Based Shingle". Deadline. Archived from the original on August 9, 2022. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
  5. ^ Jackson, Angelique. "Veteran Producer James F. Lopez Named President of Macro Film Studios". Variety. Archived from the original on October 5, 2022. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
  6. ^ Jackson, Angelique. "'One of Them Days' Sequel With Keke Palmer and SZA in the Works at TriStar". Variety. Retrieved February 12, 2026.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  7. ^ "American certifications – Trina". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved February 18, 2026.
  8. ^ a b "Gold & Platinum: Fat Joe". Recording Industry Association of America. Archived from the original on February 25, 2013. Retrieved February 18, 2026.
  9. ^ "Gold & Platinum: Craig David". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved February 18, 2026.
  10. ^ a b c "Gold & Platinum: Trick Daddy". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved February 18, 2026.
  11. ^ "Gold & Platinum: Nappy Roots". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved February 18, 2026.
  12. ^ "Gold & Platinum: Sean Paul". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved February 18, 2026.
  13. ^ a b c d e "Gold & Platinum: T.I." Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved February 18, 2026.
  14. ^ "Gold & Platinum: Twista". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved February 18, 2026.
  15. ^ "Gold & Platinum: Fabolous". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved February 18, 2026.
  16. ^ "Black Reel 7th Annual Television Awards Featuring Gender Neutral Categories Announces Nominations". Deadline. Archived from the original on February 21, 2026. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
  17. ^ "26th Annual Black Reel Awards". Black Reel Awards. Archived from the original on January 22, 2026. Retrieved February 16, 2026.
  18. ^ "2026 Spirit Awards: Best First Feature". Film Independent. Archived from the original on January 28, 2026. Retrieved February 16, 2026.