EXCLUSIVE
Jack Black and his Electric Dynamite production unit are expanding into television, partnering with Reveille for an exclusive production deal, people familiar with the deal said.
Priyanka Mattoo — currently at William Morris Endeavor — will run day-to-day TV activities for Electric Dynamite, working with Black and Electric Dynamite partner Ben Cooley. Black’s company will have offices at Reveille, with Mattoo working with Reveille managing directors Howard T. Owens and Mark Koops.
Reveille, the red-hot production studio hooked up with Elisabeth Murdoch’s Shine, will work with Electric Dynamite on both scripted and unscripted series. It’s understood Black and his team are interested in both live-action and animated comedy ideas, for both TV and the web.
As part of the deal, Shine International will have global distribution rights for projects that come from the partnership.
A rep for Reveille had no comment, while Black’s agent at William Morris Endeavor didn’t immediately return a call.
UPDATE 9:55 AM WEDNESDAY: Reveille and Black have confirmed TheWrap’s Tuesday story.
"I’m finally getting into the TV producing business, along with my co-producing friends Ben Cooley and Priyanka Mattoo,” Black said. “The company is called Electric Dynamite and we’ve found the perfect home with the like-minded trailblazers at Shine and Reveille. Don’t worry TV … help is on the way!"
Added Owens and Koops, via a joint statement:
“Jack is one of the most talented performers of his generation. This new relationship with Electric Dynamite demonstrates our commitment to expanding our scripted programming slate. Jack has a unique vision, extraordinary talent for comedy and two amazing partners in Ben and Priyanka. We can’t wait to get started."
Reveille’s already established on the scripted side, producing NBC’s "The Office," Showtime’s "The Tudors" and ABC’s "Ugly Betty."
The deal with Black will give the studio access to a number of creatives associated with Black — in addition, of course, to Black himself.
The company is also producing "Gigantic" for Teen Nick with Dawn Parouse and Marti Noxon’s Grady Twins banner.
On the unscripted side, Reveille — which produces NBC signature series "The Biggest Loser" with 3 Ball — has been on a tear the last few months, landing series orders for "Got to Dance" at CBS and "Masterchef" on Fox. Also coming up: NBC summer tentpole "Losing It With Jillian Michaels" and "Breakthrough With Tony Robbins."
Cable hits in production include MTV’s "The Buried Life," Bravo’s "Shear Genius" and "Tabatha’s Salon Takeover."
Electric Dynamite’s already busy film slate includes a new take on "Gulliver’s Travels" as well as potential projects "In College Football," "The Lost Adventures of Stone Perlmutter Jr." and "Big Paydays for Humiliation."
