Warner Music Group has entered into a first-look deal with Paramount, the companies announced on Thursday, representing another push for WMG into film content after it had announced a deal with Netflix for documentaries back in March.
WMG is home to iconic acts including Led Zeppelin, Madonna, Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran, Charli XCX, Cher and Coldplay among others. The companies said the partnership would focus on content “drawing on the lives and music of WMG’s legendary and contemporary roster of iconic artists and songwriters,” which could suggest even more music biopics down the road. No projects were detailed in the companies’ announcement.
“This collaboration with Paramount unites two forward-looking and innovative companies, and together we’re taking a fresh approach to the space,” WMG CEO Robert Kyncl said in a statement. “Every artist deserves to tell the stories behind their life and music in their own creative way, and we’re excited to partner with our incredible talent and world-class filmmakers to bring these stories to the big screen, growing their audiences around the world.”
In a joint statement, Paramount Pictures co-chairs Josh Greenstein and Dana Goldberg said that “we’re excited to partner with WMG and their extraordinary artists to create powerful theatrical experiences inspired by generation-defining music and talent.”
The WMG-Paramount first-look is the latest affirmation that the music company is eyeing film content as a growth area for its stable of superstars. Meanwhile for Paramount, the deal represents the film industry’s continued interest in music content. Earlier this week, AMC doubled down on music works too, announcing a partnership with Arena One to livestream concerts from its theaters.
WMG is partnering with Paramount through production company Unigram, which is spearheaded by Amanda Ghost and Gregor Cameron. Unigram is also WMG’s partner for the previously revealed Netflix doc deal. WMG and Unigram are represented by WME.
“This unprecedented collaboration provides Warner Music artist and songwriters with the incredible opportunity to bring their stories, sounds, and repertoire to scripted features and animated films,” Ghost said in a statement. “This partnership finds new ways to empower iconic artists and to bring their creative worlds to the screen with music as a central character.”
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