Hollywood Film Producer Whose Credits Include Terminator 2, Platoon & Mortal Kombat & Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Threshold Entertainment Group
Lawrence Kasanoff’s Biography:
Lawrence Kasanoff is a pioneering Hollywood film producer, entrepreneur and innovation expert, best known as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Threshold Entertainment Group. Over a career spanning decades, Lawrence has produced films, television projects and theme park attractions based on some of the world’s most recognisable intellectual property brands, including ‘Spider-Man’, ‘Mortal Kombat’, ‘Justice League’, ‘LEGO’, ‘Terminator 2’, ‘Marvel’, ‘Star Trek’ and ‘Star Wars‘. Renowned for blending creativity with cutting-edge technology, he has consistently been at the forefront of entertainment innovation, making him a highly sought-after speaker on creativity, networking, leadership and the future of storytelling.
After earning a BA from Cornell University and an MBA from The Wharton School, Lawrence built a remarkable career in film production and entertainment. As a producer or studio head, he has been involved in the creation of more than 200 feature films, including Dirty Dancing and the Academy Award-winning Best Picture ‘Platoon’. He served as Executive Producer of True Lies, directed by James Cameron and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, and became internationally recognised for producing the Mortal Kombat franchise, including three number-one films and platinum-selling soundtracks.
Throughout his career, Lawrence has delivered numerous industry firsts that have transformed entertainment. He supervised the production, marketing, publicity and merchandising of the four-time Academy Award-winning ‘Terminator 2: Judgment Day’ and helped introduce groundbreaking technologies to cinema and attractions worldwide. His work has been featured by The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Time Magazine, Wired and CNN, cementing his reputation as one of entertainment’s leading innovators.
Beyond filmmaking, Lawrence has packaged and produced projects with iconic talents, including Michael Jackson, The Rolling Stones and Dick Clark. From pioneering video game adaptations to creating revolutionary theme park experiences and cloud-rendered animation, he continues to push the boundaries of creativity and technology. His unique experiences offer audiences valuable insights into innovation, business development, brand building and the power of turning ambitious ideas into global successes.
Why Hire Lawrence Kasanoff?
Lawrence Kasanoff is hired to inspire organisations with lessons drawn from decades of innovation at the highest levels of entertainment. Having worked alongside world-renowned directors, musicians and global brands, he shares practical insights into creativity, leadership, networking and bringing disruptive ideas to life. Audiences benefit from his firsthand experience pioneering industry-changing technologies, building successful franchises and navigating major commercial partnerships. His presentations combine compelling Hollywood stories with actionable business strategies, making him an engaging and memorable speaker for corporate events, leadership conferences and innovation-focused audiences.
Lawrence Kasanoff’s Career Highlights:
Here are some of the key milestones that define Lawrence Kasanoff’s remarkable career:
- 2021 – Produced Bobbleheads: The Movie, the first CGI feature rendered entirely using GPU technology in Microsoft Azure Cloud in collaboration with Microsoft and NVIDIA.
- 2010s – Produced LEGO: The Adventures of Clutch Powers, the first feature-length film based on the LEGO brand.
- 2010s – Developed Marvel Superheroes 4D in London, bringing Marvel characters together in stereoscopic 3D on a 360-degree dome for the first time.
- 2000s – Produced Disney World’s Mission: Space attraction, the first theme park simulator designed to pull 2.5 Gs.
- 2000s – Helped create the Spider-Man attraction at Universal Studios Orlando, one of only two rides in the world featuring moving points of 3D convergence.
- 1990s – Produced Star Trek: Borg Adventure, featuring the first stereoscopic 3D Steadicam shot.
- 1997 – Produced Mortal Kombat: Annihilation and expanded the Mortal Kombat franchise into one of the most successful video game adaptations of its era.
- 1995 – Produced Mortal Kombat, recognised as the first hit motion picture based on a video game.
- 1991 – Supervised production, marketing, publicity and merchandising for Terminator 2: Judgment Day, introducing morphing technology to mainstream cinema.
- 1980s – Produced and packaged projects with global icons including Michael Jackson, The Rolling Stones and Dick Clark, including Making Michael Jackson’s Thriller, the first home video to sell one million copies.
Videos
Lawrence Kasanoff’s Official Keynote Speaking Videos & Showreel:
Testimonials
“On behalf of IBM Corporation, I would like to thank you for participating in the IBM case study profiling Threshold Animation Studios. Your experience with IBM serves as an important example of how collaboration and technology-enabled solutions can drive business value and accelerate the attainment of short and long-term goals. Through your groundbreaking, real-time animation process you have found a new way to more affordably and quickly bring quality digital entertainment to market, and we are honored to have been a part of it. Your vision and leadership not only create real and lasting business benefits, but also reinforce your value to your customers, your partners, and the marketplace at large.” – Jeff, Vice President at IBM
“Threshold is the next generation Pixar” – USA Today
”Threshold is on the threshold of a new concept in Hollywood” – CNN
“Threshold (is spinning) gold from digital threads.”- The New York Times
“There’s a company of technowizards called Threshold Entertainment – it’s amazing the worlds they can create.” – Entertainment Tonight
”Threshold turns out as much content… as most studios a thousand times its size.” – Chicago Tribune
“The Maestro of ‘Mortal Kombat’ has seen the future of film production – and it’s right around the corner.” – The Hollywood Reporter
Speaking Topics
Lawrence Kasanoff‘s Official Keynote Topics:
- A Touch Of The Madness: How a little crazy goes a long way
- All The Great Scoundrels: Lessons from unlikely places & people
- Problem? This Isn’t a Problem: Hollywood Producer’s Guide to Problem-Solving
- Globalization Rocks: A World of Opportunities
How Much Does Lawrence Kasanoff Cost to Hire?
How Much Does it Cost to Hire Lawrence Kasanoff?
Lawrence Kasanoff’s speaking fees typically reflect his exceptional career and international demand. Engagements vary depending on location, format, and duration; keynote appearances, conferences, and international events may command higher fees due to travel and preparation requirements.
