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EXCLUSIVE: MGM has made an inventive deal with AGBO Films partners Joe & Anthony Russo that will see the Avengers: Endgame helmers essentially become the spiritual creative architects of iconic properties in the MGM library. Theyve made a multi-film non-exclusive creative partnership to co-develop, co-produce and co-finance a slate of projects.
The deal can extend to projects originated by AGBO, but the driving force behind this is that they will creatively steer the refurbishment of the classic library titles. The first film projects to be produced through the partnership includes a re-imagining of The Thomas Crown Affair, which long has had Michael B. Jordan attached to star and produce through his Outlier Society banner. That one could end up directed by the brothers, who love the Steve McQueen-Faye Dunaway original. The next crack at the script will be taken by Matthew Michael Carnahan, the writer whose credits include Deepwater Horizon, World War Z and The Kingdom. He just wrote and directed Mosul for AGB aboard to take the next crack at the screenplay.
AGBO will also develop James Madigans hybrid live action/animation version of The Rats Of Nimh, based on the Newbery Medal-winning series by author Robert C. OBrien; and the original film Hacienda from writer Krysty Wilson-Cairns (1917, Last Night In Soho).
As part of the deal, MGM and AGBO have created a joint development fund for new film projects.
I had heard this arrangement was coming, and that it was fueled by the allure of potential remakes of MGM titles that range from The Pink Panther to Poltergeist and Its A Mad Mad Mad Mad World, the Stanley Kramer-directed madcap road trip comedy that starred Spencer Tracy and just about major comedy star of its era. Some of these have rights entanglements, but with the right creative vision, there is branded IP ripe for the picking.
Led by the Russos, AGBO is run by Todd Makurath, Mike Larocca and Co-Presidents of Story, Christopher Markus and Steven McFeely. Latter duo scripted the last four films directed by the Russos. Those were the Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame, and the last two Captain America installments The Winter Soldier and Civil War.
Essentially, MGM now has the directors and writers of films that even before the Avengers: Endgame sequel have done $4 billion in global gross, Markus & McFeely will lead development and work directly with MGMs Motion Pictures Group president Jonathan Glickman.
“MGM is focused on partnering with Hollywoods premiere talent to bring amazing stories to life. Our partnership with AGBO demonstrates MGMs focus on creating alliances with todays most innovative and premiere storytellers,” said Chris Brearton, MGMs Chief Operating Officer. “Joe and Anthonys track record speaks for itself and we look forward to working with their team to bring new and exciting projects to life on the big and small screens.”
Said Joe Russo: “This deal reflects the fundamental tenets upon which AGBO was built: a storytelling driven studio designed to develop and produce a complex array of narrative in an ever-evolving landscape. Artist ownership is primary to our agenda, and well be serving as partners on every film. Its also an amazing opportunity for AGBO to work with MGM, which owns oRead More – Source
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