Walden Media Hires Benjamin Tappan as President of Production; Naia Cucukov Signs First-Look Producer Deal (EXCLUSIVE)

EXCLUSIVE: With the Frasier sequel series for Paramount+ wrapping production, star and executive producer Kelsey Grammer and his Grammnet NH Productions has closed a first-look television deal with CBS Studios, the studio behind the Cheers/Frasier franchise.

EXCLUSIVE: Insecure alumna Yvonne Orji has signed a two-year first-look deal with Sony Pictures Television. Under the pact, the Emmy-nominated actress, comedian, writer, author and producer will develop scripted drama and comedy series for cable and streaming. There is a possibility for her to star in any of the projects she develops for the studio.

EXCLUSIVE: Anonymous Content, Casarotto Ramsay & Associates and United Agents have set former ITVS Creative Director Patrick Spence (Spy Among Friends) as Managing Director of their UK film and TV production joint venture.

EXCLUSIVE: Just ahead of the premiere of Shea Serrano’s upcoming comedy Primo on Amazon Freevee, Serrano is expanding his relationship with Amazon Studios, the studio behind the series. The bestselling author, screenwriter and podcaster has signed an overall television deal with Amazon Studios, and a first-look podcast pact with Amazon’s Wondery.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter Jensen Ackles, Danneel Ackles, and their production company Chaos Machine are entering a first-look TV deal at Amazon, Variety has learned exclusively. The Ackles and Chaos Machine were previously under a first-look deal at Warner Bros. Television. It was reported in October 2022 that they had extended the WBTV deal for another two years, but they have now exited that deal for Amazon. According to an individual with knowledge of the situation, the Ackles and WBTV parted ways on good terms and any projects Chaos Machine had in development with their now former studio home remain in the works. The WBTV deal was solely a producing deal, while the Amazon deal covers both acting and producing.

EXCLUSIVE: British comedian and writer Nina Conti has wrapped production on Sunlight, a comedy road movie set in Albuquerque, New Mexico, that marks her debut as a feature director. Check out the first-look image above.

EXCLUSIVE: Mark Padilla has been appointed as President of Worldwide Sales and Acquisitions at Jack and Rebecca Campbell’s indie film sales and production company, Jackrabbit Media.

EXCLUSIVE: IHeartPodcasts and Glass Podcasts are strengthening their ties by signing a true-crime slate deal and unveiling a second season of hit series Betrayal.

Paramount Pictures has renewed a first-look deal with Todd Garner. The head of Broken Road Productions first signed a production pact with the studio in 2018.

Paramount Pictures has renewed a first-look deal with Todd Garner’s Broken Road Productions, one which the producer has had since 2018.

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.

EXCLUSIVE: Details are emerging about Wim Wenders’ 3D documentary Anselm, which will gets its world premiere as a special screening at the Cannes Film Festival next month.

Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent Apple and Canal+ have signed a landmark deal that will bring Apple TV+ to all Canal+ subscribers in France, along with some other European territories. The deal is different from the aggregation agreements that Canal+ has in place with other streamers such as Disney+ and Netflix, whose offers are being accessible as part of the French pay TV operator’s bundle. Under the pact, Apple TV+ will be available at no extra cost to Canal+ subs from April 20. Canal+ customers can seamlessly and easily access the films and series of Apple TV+ directly on their existing set-top box — with no separate app or subscription necessary. This is a multi-territory agreement for France, French speaking-Switzerland, Czech Republic and Slovakia. 

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.

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: Legendary Entertainment and Veritas Entertainment have struck a first-look television deal and set their first project together – an adaptation of a Lee Childs story.