David Leitch, the director of “John Wick,” “Atomic Blonde,” “Deadpool 2” and this summer’s “Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw,” has entered into a first-look production agreement with Universal Pictures, studio president Peter Cramer announced Monday.
Leitch is entering into the deal with his longtime producing partner Kelly McCormick under their banner 87North Productions.
Leitch and McCormick are also developing multiple projects for Universal, including “Nobody,” an action thriller directed by “Hardcore Henry’s” Ilya Naishuller starring Bob Odenkirk. They’re also developing “Friday Black,” based on the title story of The New York Times bestseller from award-winning author Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah.
Additionally, they have many film and television projects in development, including “The Division,” starring Jessica Chastain and Jake Gyllenhaal, the sequel to “Enter the Dragon,” and “Undying Love,:” based on the comic book from Image Comics. In television, they have “The Continental,” which is the TV spin-off of the “John Wick” franchise at Starz.
“David and Kelly have established themselves as a distinctive, stylish filmmaking team who can do it all, from contained thrillers to franchise tent poles,” Cramer said in a statement. “We are confident that this summer’s ‘Hobbs & Shaw’ will build on their impressive track record of bringing bold, high-quality entertainment to giant global audiences, and we are excited to formalize our long-standing relationship with them at Universal.”
“Donna, Peter and the amazing team at Universal have been such great partners to work with on ‘Atomic Blonde’ and now ‘Hobbs & Shaw,’” McCormick and Leitch said in a joint statement. “Through our new company 87North Productions, we are thrilled to be extending this special working relationship to continue to make movies that we are passionate about in any genre.”
Universal’s “Hobbs & Shaw” is set for release on Aug. 2.
Leitch and McCormick are represented by WME and attorney Tara Kole.
Variety first reported news of the first-look deal.