Comedian Demetri Martin Strikes Two-Special Deal With Netflix; First Hour, ‘Demetri Deconstructed,’ Premieres In April

EXCLUSIVE: Israel’s Keshet International (KI) has struck its latest co-development deal, a partnership with British presenter Bettany Hughes‘ indie SandStone Global.

Matt Rife landed an exciting deal with Netflix after the success of his 2023 Natural Selection special.

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Endeavor, three years after the sports and entertainment company went public, announced that it has entered into an agreement to be acquired by private-equity firm Silver Lake. The deal gives Endeavor an equity value of $13 billion, the companies said.

Brent Lang Executive Editor Fresh off the release of “Road House,” Amazon MGM Studios has closed a three-year, first-look film deal with Jake Gyllenhaal’s Nine Stories. Under the pact, Amazon MGM Studios will have first dibs on narrative features that the actor’s production company makes. The deal includes theatrical, as well as streaming releases.

Amazon and Lionsgate have struck a content deal in the UK.

Brent Lang Executive Editor Searchlight Pictures has signed a first-look deal with Olivia Colman and Ed Sinclair’s South of the River Pictures. Under the new pact, the specialty studio, which has worked with Colman on “The Favourite” and “Empire of Light,” will develop and produce feature-length motion pictures with the production company. South of the River Pictures was founded by Colman, Sinclair and their long-time partner in crime, Tom Carver, to develop and produce original scripted comedies and dramas with “an authored sensibility.” Colman and Sinclair have been married since 2001.

Katcy Stephan Ryan Gosling and Apple Original Films exec Jessie Henderson have launched General Admission, a production company with the objective to collaborate with world class filmmakers to create bold theatrical and streaming events within all genres. In introducing their new venture, the duo has signed a three-year first-look film deal with Amazon MGM Studios. Under the pact, Amazon MGM Studios will have a first look on narrative features, some of which Gosling will star in, that General Admission intends to produce for both theatrical and streaming.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg and James Weaver’s Point Grey Pictures has entered into a first-look deal with Lionsgate Television. News of the deal comes just after it was announced production has begun on the Apple TV+ series “The Studio.” The show, which is set at a legacy Hollywood movie studio, is produced by Point Grey and Lionsgate TV with Rogen set to star as well as write, direct, and executive produce alongside Goldberg. Kathryn Hahn, Catherine O’Hara, and Bryan Cranston are also among the show’s cast.

EXCLUSIVE: Director Sean McNamara‘s Reagan, the first full-length feature on the 40th U.S. President, starring Dennis Quaid, has been picked up for North American distribution by ShowBiz Direct.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Hybe, the Korean firm behind K-pop’s BTS, has struck an expanded 10-year deal with Universal Music Group (UMG), providing Hybe’s roster of artists and labels access to UMG’s leading global network. UMG will further collaborate with Hybe’s global superfan platform Weverse, bringing more of a direct connection between UMG artists and their fandom. Hybe and UMG will additionally collaborate on artist promotions and marketing activities in North America under the oversight of Scooter Braun – who, in his time as CEO of Hybe America, acquired QC Media Holdings and incorporated SB Projects as well as Big Machine Label Group into the existing roster. Hybe and UMG first teamed up in 2017 on BTS, through a distribution agreement in Japan. In 2021, the companies expanded their relationship with a global strategic agreement which saw collaborations across multiple projects and use of Weverse for fan communication.

Jaden Thompson Sony Pictures has just released the trailer for “Bad Boys 4,” starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence. The film’s official title is “Bad Boys: Ride or Die.” This is the fourth film in the popular action-comedy franchise that debuted in 1995, when Smith and Lawrence first teamed up as Miami PD detectives Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett, who investigate illegal drug trading in Miami.

Esteemed British writer David Nicholls is not precious when it comes to adaptations of his novels and cites Netflix’s recent adaptation of his 2009 novel One Day as being a perfect example of how being open-minded to fresh ideas on established material can result in good work. 

Ricky Martin and Jwan Yosef decided to separate after being married for six years. They announced the news while emphasizing the importance of maintaining a cordial relationship for their children’s well-being.

Rebecca Rubin Film and Media Reporter Rian Johnson and Ram Bergman’s company T-Street has signed a two-picture producing deal with Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group.

Soo Hugh is staying in business with Apple and Media Res after striking an overall deal with the two companies.

Amazon has struck first-of-its-kind deals with Japan’s Nippon TV and BBC for podcasts.

Ricky Martin had the support of his 15-year-old twin sons at the premiere of his new Apple TV+ series Palm Royale!

Justin Timberlake got the band back together! Like, for realz this time!!

EXCLUSIVE: Walking Dead maker Skybound Entertainment has struck what it is calling a “first-of-its-kind” deal with Prime Video over a dystopian thriller series from Scandinavia.

EXCLUSIVE: Apple TV+ is staying in business with one of the men behind its latest sports docuseries The Dynasty: New England Patriots.