You can chalk another win up for Ava DuVernay, because she just inked a deal with Warner Bros. Television Group worth $100 million, according to Deadline.
The new partnership means the Oscar nominated-director, along with her production company Forward Movement, will create content in the drama space, as well as comedy shows, documentaries, digital programming and projects made specifically for cable television.
In a recent interview, DuVernay spoke about the new opportunity and working with Warner Bros.’ Chief Executive Producer Peter Roth and others, especially for their willingness to embrace diverse projects.
“I’ve had nothing but beautiful experiences working with Peter Roth, Susan Rovner and Brett Paul,” she said in a statement. “They love and support artists in wonderful and nourishing ways. They work within a traditional studio headed by Kevin Tsujihara that is stirring with un-traditional energy and fresh protocols for intentional, inclusive image-making.”
“Warner Bros. is a terrific partner about matters of visibility and belonging for all kinds and cultures of people, which is our mission at Forward Movement,” added DuVernay. “I couldn’t be happier to call Warner Bros. TV my production home.”
Some may be surprised the “Selma” creator took a deal with Warner Bros. instead of Netflix, since she made the documentary “13” for the streaming company, which was nominated for an Oscar.
Plus, she has another documentary on Prince coming out on Netflix, as well as “Central Park Five,” a miniseries based on the New York City teens who were falsely accused of raping a white woman in the ’80s and spent years in prison for it.
But despite all the Netflix projects, it seems DuVernay’s past working relationship with Warner sealed the deal, which Roth discussed.
“Ava DuVernay is one of the leading lights in our industry, a brilliantly talented writer, producer, director and entrepreneur whose ability to inspire with her art is exceeded only by her ability to entertain,” he said. “We have had the great pleasure of working with her on ‘Queen Sugar’ and ‘The Red Line,’ and we are extremely excited about the new stories she has to tell.”
