Amazon Strikes First-Look Deal With Pop-Star Lizzo

Dave McNary Film ReporterParamount Pictures has announced a two-year extension of its first-look deal with producer Neal Moritz, who delivered “Sonic the Hedgehog” to the studio and is producing the sequel.The new deal, announced Wednesday, extends the studio’s relationship with Moritz through the end of 2023.After a strong opening weekend, “Sonic the Hedgehog” went on to become the highest-grossing movie based on a video game domestically, with $146 million in the U.S.

EastEnders bosses have revealed a first glimpse of Lacey Turner and Jessie Wallace as they make their comeback on the popular BBC soap opera.The pair will first return to screens next week for the show's spin off series Secrets From The Square with host Stacey Dooley. Lacey, 32, and 48 year old Jessie will then return to their roles as Stacey Fowler and Kat Moon next month when the show finally returns after filming was halted due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

BuzzFeed is expanding its media reach. The company has signed a first-look deal with Universal Television to develop scripted series projects based on its content and original reporting from its journalists.

Buzzfeed News story titled “Meet the Women Who Are Building a Better Romance Industry” by Bim Adewunmi.Published in 2018, the story focuses on the Kensington Publishing Corporation and author Alyssa Cole’s Black women-centric “Loyal League” trilogy of romance novels.

Will Thorne Staff WriterUniversal Television and Buzzfeed are getting into business.The two entities have signed a first-look deal, which will see the NBCU studio produce scripted content based on stories and reporting published by Buzzfeed.As part of this new deal, the companies have already set their first project together in the form of a series based on the 2018 article “Meet the Women Who Are Building a Better Romance Industry” by Bim Adewunmi.

Denise Petski Senior Managing EditorBuzzfeed is making an expanded push into television, signing a first-look deal with Universal TV, in which the studio will produce scripted content based on stories and original reporting published by the tech-powered media company.

In exciting news, former Geordie Shore star Marnie Simpson and Casey Johnson announced their engagement on Sunday evening, after being together since 2017 – where they met on the MTV show Single AF.The couple posted a snap on Instagram following their engagement, with Marnie showing off her gorgeous engagement ring.

Amazon is bringing another key member of the Fleabag team back. The retail giant/streamer has inked director Harry Bradbeer to a first-look deal.

Peter White Television EditorHarry Bradbeer is the latest member of the Fleabag family to partner with Amazon after striking a first-look deal with the streamer.Bradbeer, who directed both seasons of the BBC/Amazon comedy co-pro, won the Emmy for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series for his work on the second season.

Will Thorne Staff WriterHarry Bradbeer, known for directing almost every single episode of “Fleabag,” has set his creative sights on Amazon.The Emmy winner has inked a first-look deal with Amazon Studios, under which he will develop and create television series to premiere exclusively on the streamer.News of the deal comes almost a year after “Fleabag” creator and star Phoebe Waller-Bridge inked her own deal with Amazon.

Andreas Wiseman International EditorEXCLUSIVE: San Diego and LA-based based financier Grandave Capital has struck a three-film finance deal with Patrick Perez Vidauri and Christina Nava’s independent production company Lux III Pictures.The Lux III deal got underway with low-budget romance pic In Other Words, which is being sold by Grandave’s sales arm Grandave International. Grandave will also finance and sell Lux III feature Like.

Yesterday, Amazon, the streaming service announced a partnership with Jason Blum’s horror and genre studio, Blumhouse, titled “Welcome to the Blumhouse” a collection of eight feature films that will debut over the next year or so beginning in October.

Lisa Rinna once famously said, «She just doesn't want to talk about it.

Lizzo is teaming up with Amazon!

Lizzo is joining forces with Amazon.The singer, songwriter and actress has signed a first-look deal with the tech giant's Amazon Studios. She Zoom-bombed into the beginning of Amazon's virtual Television Critics Association session Thursday to announce the deal, under which she'll develop television projects for the company's Prime Video streaming platform.I’m so excited to partner with the amazing team at Amazon,” said Lizzo.

Also Read: Lindsey Vonn and Her Dog to Host Amazon Competition Series 'The Pack' Featuring Other Human-Pet Teams“Lizzo is one of the most exciting, creative, joyful artists in the industry, and it is such a pleasure to announce this new deal with her,” Jennifer Salke, head of Amazon Studios, added.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterLizzo has signed a first-look television deal with Amazon Studios.Under the deal, the Grammy-winning musician will work with Amazon Studios to create television projects that will premiere exclusively on Amazon Prime Video.“I’m so excited to partner with the amazing team at Amazon,” said Lizzo. “Thank you to Jen Salke and the rest of the team for making this dream come true.

Peter White Television EditorEXCLUSIVE: I Married A Mobster producer Dan Pearson is developing a raft of social justice and mob formats with Painless Productions after striking a co-production deal with The Dead Files producer.Pearson, via his Dan 4 Entertainment (D4E) company, is working with Jim Casey-found Painless to develop and produce non-scripted shows with a focus on social justice, organized crime and Black celebrity-led entertainment formats.The slate includes criminal justice

Dave McNary Film ReporterJake Gyllenhall and his Nine Stories production company signed a first-look feature film production deal with New Republic Pictures, the company headed by Brian Oliver and Bradley Fischer.Gyllenhaal has previously collaborated with Oliver on “Everest” and Fischer on David Fincher’s “Zodiac.”Gyllenhall and Riva Marker launched Nine Stories in 2015 and have teamed on “Stronger,” “Wildlife” and the upcoming “The Devil All the Time,” launching on Netflix on Sept. 16.