Universal Pictures has extended its production deal with Working Title Films, co-chairmen Adam Fogelson and Donna Langley announced Friday.
Working Title, run by Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner, will now have a first-look deal rather than an exclusive deal. That is similar to what happened when Universal re-upped with Imagine Entertainment in January.
“Working Title has been an invaluable partner for Universal with our two companies enjoying tremendous success on films that have delighted audiences all over the world,” Fogelson and Langley said in a statement. “Tim and Eric are true leaders in the global production space which gives us more of an opportunity to be in business with some of the best international talent and we’re thrilled to be extending our partnership.”
The two, which have partnered on such titles as “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy” and “Billy Elliot,” have brought in more than $4.25 billion at the global box office.
Working Title has a few high-profile films in the pipeline for this year, such as Tom Hooper’s “Les Miserables,” starring Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe and Anne Hathaway, and "Anna Karenina," which Focus Features will distribute domestically.
“It has been a long and fruitful relationship and we are very much looking forward to more successes over the coming years,” Bevan and Fellner said in a statement.
