Jon Watts, his production company Freshman Year, and producer Dianne McGunigle have signed a first-look feature deal with Walt Disney Studios, Deadline reports.
Jon Watts Signs Disney Deal
Through the deal, Watts will direct with the option to produce feature-length projects for Walt Disney Pictures and 20th Century Studios.
David Greenbaum, the president of Walt Disney Pictures and 20th Century Studios said the following about Watts.
Jon Watts is a truly gifted filmmaker who brings spectacle, humor, and heart to whatever he does. I am so excited to work with him and his producing partner Dianne McGunigle on a slate of upcoming projects for Disney and 20th.
Watts made his feature directorial debut with “Clown” (2014) before writing, directing, and producing “Cop Car” (2015), which premiered at Sundance. He was then tapped to write and direct Marvel’s “Spider-Man: Homecoming.” He also directed the two sequels, and the trilogy grossed $4 billion total.
He said the following about his new first-look film deal.
I’ve already had an incredible experience working with Alan Bergman, Kathy Kennedy, Kevin Feige, and the rest of the Disney team, ans I’m thrilled to now be partnering with the brilliantly creative David Greenbaum. David has exceptional taste and deep filmmaking knowledge and I’m excited to work with him and his team to create memorable, director-driven theatrical experiences.
Watts is an executive producer of Disney’s FX series “The Old Man” starring Jeff Bridges. He is co-creator and executive producer of the upcoming Disney+ series “Star Wars: Skeleton Crew,” which premieres on December 3.
Watts wrote, directed, and produced “Wolfs” starring George Clooney and Brad Pitt. It premiered at the Venice Film Festival this year and will have a limited theatrical release starting today, September 20, before moving to Apple TV+ on September 27. Watts has already made a deal for a sequel to “Wolfs.”
Dianne McGunigle, who is married to Watts, was an executive producer of “Atlanta” starring Donald Glover. McGunigle is producing “Final Destination: Bloodlines,” which is based on a story by Watts. Freshman Year is also in pre-production for a feature adaptation of the “Murder 101” podcast for Amazon.
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