*Ava DuVernay is parting ways Warner Bros. Television.
The acclaimed Emmy-winning and Oscar-nominated director inked an 8-figure development deal with the studio in 2018. At the time, DuVernay posted on Twitter: “Warner Bros is a terrific partner on matters of visibility + belonging for all kinds + cultures of people, which is our mission at Forward Movement. Couldn’t be happier to call Warner Bros TV my production home.” Thanks for the love and light, folks. Really appreciated.”
When the pact was initially announced former Warner Bros. TV chief Peter Roth said in a statement, “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.”
Former president and chief content officer Peter Roth told Deadline, “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. 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.”
Under the pact, DuVernay produced OWN’s “Queen Sugar,” CBS’ “For Justice,” The CW’s “Naomi” and Max’s “DMZ.”
Sources tell The Hollywood Reporter that DuVernay ended her overall deal following the conclusion of her five-year contract. Her WB partnership was estimated to have been worth $100 million.
In related news, DuVernay is set to executive produce a half-hour romantic drama for Starz, starring Joshua Jackson and Lauren Ridloff as polar opposites who are drawn to each other. Per the logline for the untitled series: “One person is ambitious, while the other is restless. One is ready to commit, while the other debates the merits of relationships. One is Black and one is white. One is deaf and one is not.”
“On behalf of my producing partner Paul Garnes and everyone at Array Filmworks, I’m thrilled to develop this passion project with Lauren, Josh and Kat,” DuVernay said in a statement. “Starz and Warner Bros. Television have made a bold production commitment to immediately explore three seasons, and we’re revved up and ready to begin what I hope will be a beautiful journey for all involved.”
READ MORE: Ava DuVernay Becomes First Black Woman on Pint of Ben & Jerry’s with New Flavor
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