Veteran literary agent Mike Esola has joined UTA after leaving WME last week, an individual with knowledge of the situation has told TheWrap.
Esola left WME after his request to become a partner at the agency was rebuffed by his superiors, though the split was described as “amicable” by insiders.
The well-respected dealmaker got his start at the agency in the mailroom 13 years ago prior to its merger with Endeavor, when it was simply known as the William Morris Agency.
Esola has a reputation for being adept at selling spec scripts at a time when the market has become increasingly difficult to navigate.
At WME, Esola worked with directors such as Brett Ratner, David Robert Mitchell (“It Follows”), Bryan Buckley (“The Bronze”) and “Act of Valor” filmmakers Scott Waugh and Mouse McCoy, though it remains unclear which clients will be joining him at UTA.