Prime-Video - Amazon studios and Imagine Entertainment forge exclusive multiyear first-look film deal

By Mulder, 31 march 2023

“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 . 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.” - Jennifer Salke, Head of Amazon and MGM Studios

Today it was announced that Amazon Studios has closed an exclusive multiyear first-look film deal with Brian Grazer and Ron Howard’s Imagine Entertainment. Under the pact, Amazon Studios will have a first look on narrative features and documentaries Imagine Entertainment intends to produce. 

The news of the deal comes just ahead of Prime Video’s April 21 release of Amazon Studios and Imagine Entertainment’s documentary Judy Blume Forever, documenting the life and legacy of trailblazing author Judy Blume. The two companies already have an established relationship with a slate including the upcoming holiday comedy Candy Cane Lane, starring Eddie Murphy; the Emmy Award-winning documentary Lucy and Desi; Ron Howard’s Thirteen Lives, which Prime Video released last year; and the spy action-comedy The U.S.P.S., which is in development at Amazon Studios.   

“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,” said Justin Wilkes, President of Imagine Entertainment. “The team at Amazon is best-in-class and loves making movies as much as we do. We can’t wait to expand our slate through this partnership.”

Imagine Entertainment is an American film and television production company founded in 1986 by filmmaker Ron Howard and producer Brian Grazer. The company is known for producing numerous successful films and television series, including the Academy Award-winning films A Beautiful Mind and "pollo 13, as well as the television series 24 and Friday Night Lights. Over the years, Imagine Entertainment has worked with a wide range of actors, directors, and writers, and has established itself as a prominent force in the entertainment industry. The company has also expanded into other areas, including music, digital media, and live events. In addition to its production work, Imagine Entertainment has also been involved in various philanthropic efforts, supporting organizations such as the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, the American Red Cross, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

(source : press release)