Rodney Rothman & Adam Rosenberg’s Modern Magic Signs First Look Deal With Sony; Quinta Brunson Pic In The Works

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large Former Epix exec Benjamin Tappan has joined Walden Media as president of production, overseeing the shingle’s TV and film development, as well as production. Tappan’s hire comes as Walden Media also looks to broaden its programming mix. Tappan will report to Walden Media president and CEO Frank Smith, who announced the hire on Tuesday. “Ben’s vast experience as both a production executive and talent representative along with his great track record of making popular and critically praised content make him uniquely suited for leading our creative team,” Smith said in a statement. “We greatly look forward to his leadership and contributions as we build the Walden Media of the future.”

Paramount Pictures has renewed its multi-year, first-look film deal with Temple Hill Entertainment, the producer of their smash fall horror hit Smile which grossed over $200M WW and netted a $101M profit for the Melrose Ave. lot.

Paramount Pictures has renewed its multiyear first-look film deal with Temple Hill Entertainment, the studio announced on Monday.Under the terms of the agreement, Temple Hill Entertainment will continue to develop films for the studio and its label Paramount Players. On the television side, Temple Hill remains under a first-look deal with Lionsgate.The first-look film deal renewal comes on the heels of the critically acclaimed horror thriller “Smile,” from Paramount Pictures and Temple Hill, which earned more than $200 million at the global box office.“Temple Hill has a proven track record for making films that truly connect with people.

Rebecca Rubin Film and Media Reporter Paramount Pictures has renewed its multi-year, first-look film deal with Temple Hill Entertainment. The companies recently collaborated on the creepy thriller “Smile,” which became an unexpected box office hit to the tune of $200 million globally. Under the terms of the agreement, Temple Hill Entertainment will continue to develop films for both Paramount Pictures and its label Paramount Players. On the television side, Temple Hill remains under a first-look deal with Lionsgate.  “Temple Hill has a proven track record for making films that truly connect with people. In the decade that we’ve known them, Wyck Marty, and Isaac have been incredible collaborators and more importantly, we also count them as friends,” said Paramount’s Motion Picture Group co-presidents Michael Ireland and Daria Cercek. “We couldn’t be happier to be extending this relationship so we can continue to find new ways to wow audiences together.”

LL Cool J’s Rock The Bells said Paramount Global, along with Raine Ventures and Irving Azoff of Iconic Artists Group, led a $15 million funding round for the hip-hop platform, which has also signed a first look deal with Par.

Sylvester Stallone’s Balboa Productions has signed a first-look deal with Amazon Studios. Under the agreement, the legendary filmmaker will write, produce and star in projects intended for Prime Video.

EXCLUSIVE: Rachael Leigh Cook, star of ‘90s movies including She’s All That, has signed a wide-ranging deal with Fox’s Marvista Entertainment.

Brillstein Entertainment Partners is looking to “fuel the momentum” of its production company after striking a first-look deal with Paramount Television Studios.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter Paramount Television Studios (PTVS) and Brillstein Entertainment Partners have entered into a multi-year first-look deal. Under the deal, the studio will co-develop and co-produce scripted series with Brillstein Creative Partners (BCP), Brillstein’s production arm, for Paramount platforms like Paramount+, Showtime, and CBS, as well as outside platforms. “We are incredibly excited about this new venture with Brillstein,” said Nicole Clemens, president of Paramount Television Studios and Paramount+ Original Scripted Series. “We’ve enjoyed a great relationship with their managers and stellar roster of clients over the years and look forward to deepening and strengthening those partnerships as we collaborate with Allie Goss and her team to produce a slate of compelling new series for the global market.”

EXCLUSIVE: A+E Studios is getting into business with Curate Management and its founder Britton Rizzio. The studio has signed a first-look deal with the company to develop scripted series for broadcast and streaming in the U.S. and international space. Curate says the deal reinforces the company’s commitment to producing content that reflects unique perspectives and stories. 

Vice Media and the Fox-owned Tubi are coming together to for eight Tubi originals, and one will be a documentary centered on Elon Musk. The partnership comes as part of an exclusive content deal to debut a slate of all-new Tubi original documentaries, TheWrap has confirmed. The very first documentary will be produced by Vice News, and it is titled “The Cult of Elon.” The film will feature the evolution of Elon Musk and his success as the founder of automotive and clean energy company Tesla. The next documentary “Vigilante” investigates the world of online vigilantism, and will be told through a recent manhunt for an L.A.-based arsonist.  “The Cult of Elon” debuts on the platform April 24 and “Vigilante” will debut on May 6.

Lizzo has extended her first-look deal with Prime Video as she searches for singers for the second season of Watch Out for the Big Grrrls.

Amazon Studios has closed an exclusive multiyear first-look film deal with Brian Grazer and Ron Howard’s Imagine Entertainment, the company announced on Friday.Under the pact, Amazon Studios will have a first look on narrative features and documentaries Imagine Entertainment intends to produce.“Whether it’s a captivating drama like ‘Thirteen Lives’ or a poignant documentary like ‘Lucy and Desi,’ the team at Imagine Entertainment has an incredible gift for storytelling,” Jennifer Salke, Head of Amazon and MGM Studios said in a statement. “As we look forward to more exciting projects on the horizon, we are honored to make our longstanding relationship official and to bring more powerful, engaging stories to audiences around the world.”“Brian, Ron, and I, along with our entire team at Imagine including Karen Lunder, President of Imagine Features, and Sara Bernstein, President of Imagine Documentaries, couldn’t be more excited to have a home at Amazon and continue our shared desire to make tentpole films that inspire, elevate, and entertain audiences,” Justin Wilkes, President of Imagine Entertainment added.

Amazon Studios has signed an exclusive first look deal with former Marvel Editor-In-Chief Joe Quesada, the company announced on Thursday.Under the deal Quesada will be developing series and films for Prime Video, with a particular focus on adapting existing and new comic book IP. “Joe has been a singular and influential creative force guiding some of the most iconic storytelling that exists today,” Nick Pepper, Head of US SVOD Wholly Owned Development, Amazon Studios, said in a statement. “The opportunity to bring his expertise and vision to Amazon Studios presents a world of possibilities and we can’t wait to see what he brings to life next.”Quesada added: “I can’t begin to express just how thrilled I am to be joining the Amazon Studios family.

Amazon Studios has signed an exclusive first-look deal with former Marvel Editor-In-Chief Joe Quesada. Under the deal, Quesada will be developing series and films for Prime Video, focusing on adapting existing and new comic book IP.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter Joe Quesada, the former editor-in-chief of Marvel Comics, has signed a first-look film and TV deal with Amazon Studios. Under the deal, Quesada will develop film and TV projects with a particular focus on adapting comic book IP, including both new and existing titles. “I can’t begin to express just how thrilled I am to be joining the Amazon Studios family,” Quesada said. “From the moment Nick Pepper, Matt King, and the team approached me, it was clear we spoke the same language and shared the same creative goals. What was also clear is that they’re creating a collaborative environment and unique methodology that I’m surprised no one has yet thought to implement, but I’m certain will be quickly imitated.”

EXCLUSIVE: Showrunner and producer Ingrid Escajeda has signed a first look deal with Universal TV to develop and produce projects for broadcast, cable and streaming platforms.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter Best-selling author James Patterson has signed an exclusive first-look deal with Skydance Television. Under the terms of the deal, Patterson will develop television adaptations of his best selling book series “Women’s Murder Club” and Michael Bennett books, as well as book series “Private” and the soon-to-be published books “Jane Smith” and “Holmes, Miss Marple and Poe.” “In speaking with David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and the team, it quickly became clear Skydance is only interested in making quality entertainment with top talent,” said Patterson. “This kind of partnership is exactly what we have been seeking for James Patterson Entertainment, as we continue to grow our brand across every area of the business.”

Skydance Television announced an exclusive, first-look deal with world’s best-selling author James Patterson to develop a slate of premium series based on his top selling book series “Women’s Murder Club” and “Michael Bennett” Tuesday morning.The “Womans Murder Club” series watches a group of women with different jobs investigate crimes and team up to solve murders. “The “Michael Bennett” series follows an NYPD detective who solves crimes while simultaneously raising 10 adopted children.Other projects include adapting the internationally acclaimed book series “Private” and the soon-to-be published books “Jane Smith” and “Holmes, Miss Marple and “Poe.” “Private” follows an elite private investigation agency run by Jack Morgan, a former CIA agent.

EXCLUSIVE: Sharp Objects developer/executive producer Marti Noxon is reuniting with eOne, the indie studio behind the Emmy-nominated HBO drama, with a two-year exclusive first-look deal for television and new media.