
After giving Fox Searchlight Pictures an Academy Award for Best Picture for The Shape of Water, the studio is extending their working relationship with Guillermo del Toro by signing him to a brand new deal.
Del Toro will now oversee a yet-to-be-named label that sees him writing, producing, and directing horror films in the sci-fi and fantasy genres. Said films will be financed, marketed, and distributed by Fox Searchlight Pictures. More on the story below.
The announcement was made via press release. Those involved provided a few quotes about their excitement over the new deal and the collaboration. The first film will be Antlers, a story about an elementary school teacher who takes in a troubled student that harbors a mysterious family secret with deadly consequences. The film will be directed by Scott Cooper (Black Mass) with a script written by Nick Antosca (Midnight Picnic) and Henry Chaisson (Open 24 Hours), based on the short story The Quiet Boy by Antosca. David Goyer, J. Miles Dale, and del Toro will produce, with Kevin Turen serving as executive producer.
Here’s what del Toro had to say about the new deal:
“For the longest time, I’ve hoped to find an environment in which I can distribute, nurture and produce new voices in smart, inventive genre films and channel my own. In Fox Searchlight, I’ve found a real home for live action production “” a partnership based on hard work, understanding of each other and, above all, faith. After the wonderful experience I had with Fox Searchlight on “˜The Shape of Water,’ I am honored to have the opportunity to continue the relationship. I am more than grateful to Nancy, Steve, David and Matthew for their trust in me and for joining me on this adventure.”
Fox Searchlight Pictures Presidents Nancy Utley and Stephen Gilula added:
“Throughout the process of “˜The Shape of Water’ coming to life, we have observed first-hand Guillermo at work as a director, a writer, a producer “” a creator. We believe in him and the vision for a new Searchlight label and we are eager to embark on this journey with him.”
Finally, Fox Searchlight Pictures’ Co-Heads of Production David Greenbaum and Matthew Greenfield said:
“As well as being a brilliant filmmaker, Guillermo is a passionate collaborator, curator and advocate for other artists. Working with him on this new label, focused on the highest quality projects in the genre space, allows Searchlight to expand our reach to new filmmakers and new audiences around the world.”
The new deal is a cause for celebration, especially since del Toro has had a difficult time getting a lot of his projects off the ground. One of his most ambitious films, At the Mountains of Madness, was considered to be too risky because of del Toro envisioned the film to be an R-rated tentpole.
Well, now that del Toro is going to work with a Fox’s sister indie branch, he’ll have more creative freedom to work, and give his fans the films they deserve.
[Source: Fox Searchlight Pictures]
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