Netflix has entered into a multi-year first-look deal with Oscar-nominated writer, producer and director Chris Columbus.
Under the deal announced Wednesday, Netflix gets a first look at any feature film Columbus and his 1492 Pictures partners Michael Barnathan and Mark Radcliffe want to produce.
“Chris has established himself as a diverse and versatile filmmaker with his work spanning generations, genres and audiences,” Netflix film head Scott Stuber said in a statement. “Following the huge success of ‘The Christmas Chronicles’ I’m thrilled that we can continue the highly productive relationship we enjoy with him and his partners. I’m looking forward to the creative boundaries Chris, Michael, Mark and the 1492 team will push here at Netflix.”
The deal represents a strengthening of the relationship between Columbus and 1492 Pictures, and Netflix, following the recently-produced holiday film “The Christmas Chronicles” starring Kurt Russell.
Columbus started 1492 Pictures with Barnathan and Radcliffe in 1994, launching film franchises such as “Harry Potter” and “Night at the Museum.” In 2011, they produced the blockbuster hit “The Help,” which received four Oscar nominations including best picture. “The Christmas Chronicles” is the 24th film they have produced together.
“Partnering with Netflix is a thrilling and exciting opportunity for 1492 Pictures. Being able to create original content on a major motion picture scale is a rarity in Hollywood these days. But not at Netflix,” Columbus said in a statement. “They encourage original ideas and visionary filmmaking. And the icing on the cake? The executives at Netflix are great people who support some of the world’s greatest filmmakers like Martin Scorsese and Alfonso Cuaron. I look forward to a long working relationship with Ted Sarandos, Scott Stuber and our guiding light, Racheline Benveniste.”