Apple’s content push continues as the tech giant announced that it has signed “Fast and the Furious” director Justin Lin to an overall TV deal under his Perfect Storm banner.
The multi-year deal will see Lin develop, produce and direct television series with a global perspective.
The deal means that Lin will leave Sony Pictures Television, where he’s been set up for the past six years after founding Perfect Storm in 2012. During that time, Perfect Storm developed three drama series that were aired on CBS — “Scorpion,” “S.W.A.T.” and the reboot of “Magnum P.I.” — as well as Cinemax’s upcoming “Warrior.”
As part of the Apple pact, Andrew Schneider will come on board to run Perfect Storm Entertainment TV. Schneider most recently oversaw the TV department for Free Association, and previously was at Fox 21 Television Studios.
Lin is best known for directing the “Fast & Furious” franchise as well as “Star Trek Beyond.” He directed four films in the “Fast” franchise: “Tokyo Drift,” “Fast & Furious,” “Fast Five,” “Fast and Furious 6,” and is largely credited with reviving the franchise. In total, Lin’s films have grossed more than $2 billion worldwide.
The move is the latest for Apple, which has been on a major acquisition spree as it prepares to launch its own direct-to-consumer service in 2019, joining a crowded space that will also include new entrees from WarnerMedia and Disney.
Lin is repped by CAA and Warren Dern.