After writing the script with Hemingway's granddaughter Hilary and recruiting Hopkins and Annette Bening for key roles, Garcia's passion project is set to start shooting in January 2013.
A former Sony high flier, Thompson will become executive vp, filmed entertainment for the Canadian distributor and be charged with pushing its worldwide growth.
A shareholder accused Warner Bros. of allowing Freeman to co-opt a press tour for the studio's "Dolphin Tale" in order to push his political agenda rather than the movie.