LIONSGATE TELEVISION GROUP PARTNERS WITH RENOWNED PRODUCER, DIRECTOR, WRITER, AND ACTOR PAUL FEIG TO DEVELOP SCRIPTED AND UNSCRIPTED SERIES
Company's Television Business Continues to Add Depth to its Roster of World-Class Talent
Mar 01, 2018, 11:00 ET
SANTA MONICA, Calif., and VANCOUVER, Canada, March 1, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Adding depth to its roster of premium A-list talent, global content leader Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B) has signed a first-look deal with renowned, award-winning multi-hyphenate Paul Feig and his producing partner Jessie Henderson to create scripted and unscripted series and formats for the Lionsgate Television Group through his Feigco Entertainment banner, it was announced today by Lionsgate Television Group Chairman Kevin Beggs.
Lionsgate's relationship with Feig in the television business already includes the unscripted half-hour comedy series The Joel McHale Show with Joel McHale, an absurdist look at pop culture which Feig executive produces alongside McHale, K.P. Anderson, and Henderson. The show generated tremendous buzz in its Netflix global launch last month.
"Paul Feig is one of the most prolific and versatile talents in film and television today, and we're thrilled to continue growing our multifaceted relationship with him across our scripted television business," said Lionsgate Executive Vice President and Head of Worldwide Scripted Television Chris Selak. "Paul epitomizes the 'premium' in premium talent, and our collaborative, cross-divisional approach allows us to tap his creative brilliance across an ever-expanding array of platforms."
"We're incredibly fortunate to have a world-class talent of Paul's caliber as part of our creative family," said Lionsgate Executive Vice President of Alternative Programming Jennifer O'Connell. "There are few creative voices who could have an impact in so many different parts of our business. Our relationship with Paul has already resulted in the global launch of The Joel McHale Show with Joel McHale, and we're excited about working with him and Jessie on additional nonfiction projects as we continue to ramp up our premium unscripted slate."
"I'm delighted to have this opportunity to continue expanding my collaboration with the Lionsgate Television Group," said Feig. "I've worked with Kevin and his amazingly talented team since the days of Nurse Jackie, and Lionsgate has proven itself time and again to be a home for bold creative vision and ground-breaking original content. I can hardly wait for this next exciting chapter in our partnership."
A three-time Emmy®-nominated writer/director and DGA Award winner, Feig created the beloved and critically-acclaimed television series Freaks and Geeks and served as director and co-executive producer of The Office. His widely-acclaimed series Other Space marked his return to television in 2015.
Feig is also one of the industry's elite filmmakers, directing a string of critically-acclaimed blockbusters that include the female star-driven comedies Bridesmaids, Spy, Ghostbusters, and The Heat. His films have grossed over a billion dollars at the worldwide box office, and he is currently in post-production on Lionsgate's stylish thriller A Simple Favor, starring Blake Lively, Anna Kendrick and Henry Golding, to be released on September 14.
Feig is represented by CAA and Sloane Offer Weber and Dern LLP.
The deal was negotiated for Lionsgate by Executive Vice President of Television Business Affairs Dan Hadl. As Feigco continues to expand its television business, executive Dan Magnante has been promoted to oversee the banner's television development.
Feig joins a star-studded Lionsgate Television creative roster that already includes Kevin Hart, Jenji Kohan, Courtney Kemp, Matt Kunitz, Jeff Apploff, K.P. Anderson, Joel Silver and John Goldwyn, among others.
ABOUT LIONSGATE
The first major new studio in decades, Lionsgate is a global content platform whose films, television series, digital products and linear and over-the-top platforms reach next generation audiences around the world. In addition to its filmed entertainment leadership, Lionsgate content drives a growing presence in interactive and location-based entertainment, gaming, virtual reality and other new entertainment technologies. Lionsgate's content initiatives are backed by a 16,000-title film and television library and delivered through a global licensing infrastructure. The Lionsgate brand is synonymous with original, daring and ground-breaking content created with special emphasis on the evolving patterns and diverse composition of the Company's worldwide consumer base.
ABOUT PAUL FEIG
Paul Feig is a multi-talented creator, working successfully as a filmmaker, writer, producer, and author whose films (Spy, The Heat, Bridesmaids, Ghostbusters) have grossed over one billion dollars worldwide. His production company, Feigco Entertainment, run by Jessie Henderson was created with one goal – creating edgy, commercial comedies and original tentpole films starring women (the first and only company of its kind). Feig's most recent film was the critically acclaimed reboot of Ghostbusters, starring Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones. The film, beloved by audiences worldwide, won the Favorite Movie Award at the 2017 Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Awards. Up next, Feig has directed his first thriller, A Simple Favor, starring Anna Kendrick, Blake Lively and Henry Golding which comes out this Fall. Feigco is also producing the film Someone Great for Netflix, the TV show "Girls Code" for Freeform and executive producing "The Joel McHale Show with Joel McHale" for Netflix.
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SOURCE Lionsgate