Entertainment One has hired former New Line Cinema director of marketing Dylan Wiley to launch a U.S. theatrical film division.

The move came as the Toronto-based film and TV producer shuffled the executive roster at its film division.

David Reckziegel (pictured), until now co-president of Entertainment One Films Canada, becomes president of the company’s Films North America division.

Coming under Reckziegel’s umbrella is Entertainment One Films U.S., to be led by Wiley as vice president of  theatrical marketing and distribution.

Wiley will help Entertainment One step up its U.S. theatrical releasing game, which until now, has been focused on  limited distribution runs stateside of titles like Jolene, Love Ranch, Helen and The Greatest.

The indie distributor, which has also expanded in western Europe and in Australia of late, sees an opening in the U.S. market for the limited release of commercial indie, arthouse, foreign language and feature documentary films.

The theatrical releases will also aim to build word of mouth around films before their U.S. DVD and digital releases and spur demand in other foreign territories where Entertainment One is distributing or selling distribution rights.

The stepped-up move into U.S. film releasing also comes as Entertainment One continues to diversify on both sides of the border from wholesale distribution of DVDs, music CDs and games.

“While our U.S. and Canadian film divisions have enjoyed tremendous success to date, there is opportunity for growth, especially in the U.S.,” Patrice Theroux, president, Filmed Entertainment, Entertainment One, said in a statement.

The restructuring of the film division will also see Bryan Gliserman become president of Entertainment One Films Canada.