Ghosn reportedly hires CAA founder Michael Ovitz to evaluate film, TV deals
- Carlos Ghosn has reportedly hired Michael Ovitz, the founder of Creative Artists Agency and a former president of Disney, as his agent.
- The former Nissan chairman, who staged a Hollywood-style escape from Japan in December, is reportedly evaluating film and TV projects based on his life.
- Ghosn had been arrested in Japan in 2018 on charges of financial misconduct and misuse of corporate resources for personal gain.
Carlos Ghosn, the former Nissan chairman who staged a Hollywood-style escape from Japan in December, is evaluating film and TV projects based on his life, according to a Bloomberg report.
The news service reported Monday that Ghosn has hired Michael Ovitz, the founder of Creative Artists Agency and a former president of Disney, as his agent. A spokeswoman for Ghosn told the publication that Ovitz would help Ghosn evaluate proposals.
Ovitz was not immediately available for comment.
Ghosn made headlines late last year after fleeing Japan, where he had been arrested in 2018 on charges of financial misconduct and misuse of corporate resources for personal gain. He fled to Lebanon.
Since resurfacing, Ghosn has adamantly denied all charges against him and defended his decision to become an international fugitive, as he felt it was a necessity to receive a fair trial and "escape injustice."
His escape plan reportedly included the help of a former U.S. Army Green Beret, and the former executive hiding in a music equipment case.
Bloomberg estimated that a deal with a studio could be a strategic financial move for the executive. Ghosn forfeited $14 million in bail money when he fled Japan, and a security expert, according to the publication, estimated his escape could have cost another $15 million.
Representatives for Ghosn weren't immediately available to comment.
Read the full report from Bloomberg.
— CNBC's Phil LeBeau contributed to this report.