The dynamic producing duo of Phil Lord and Chris Miller have signed a first-look deal with Universal Pictures.
The pair's Lord Miller production banner will develop comedy and drama features based on original content, existing IP, and other media formats. Additionally, there will be an emphasis on supporting fresh voices and new talent for these projects.
“Universal has a history of breaking new ground and championing unexpected voices, so for us it’s a very welcoming environment to make bold, original films that push the medium forward,” Lord and Miller said in a statement.
“We also feel a deep obligation to leave something behind for future generations of studio executives to reboot. We’re very grateful to Donna [Langley], Peter [Cramer] and the entire Universal team for inviting us to partner with them in reaching that goal.”
Lord and Miller produced Sony's hit animated film
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, which won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature while receiving numerous other accolades. They wrote and directed the animated films
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs and
The LEGO Movie, and directed the action-comedies
21 Jump Street and its sequel
22 Jump Street.
“In this competitive landscape, our ongoing ambition is to partner with visionary filmmakers who have true authorship and a voice that is unmistakable,” said Universal chairman Donna Langley. “Phil and Chris speak to the culture and have brought their singular, original perspective to every project they’ve touched. We are thrilled to collaborate with them and welcome them to the Universal family.”
Aditya Sood, president of film, will lead Lord Miller's motion picture group. Longtime film executives Will Allegra and Rebecca Karch will serve as senior vice president and vice president, respectively. This latest expansion comes shortly after the production banner signed a five-year overall television deal with Sony Pictures Television. Fellow
Into the Spider-Verse producer Amy Pascal
signed a first-look deal with Universal under her Pascal Pictures production banner earlier this year as well.
Lord Miller has numerous projects in development right now, including Fox's
Artemis and Sony's
The Last Human, both of which are being directed by Lord and Miller.