WarnerMedia has signed a three-year film and TV deal with director Steven Soderbergh, the company announced Wednesday.
Under the agreement, the director will develop both original projects for HBO and its streaming counterpart HBO Max. The deal is exclusive for all television projects and covers first-look rights for film.
It builds on an existing relationship between Soderbergh and WarnerMedia, following the previously announced film “Let Them All Talk,” starring Meryl Streep, Candice Bergen, Dianne Wiest, Lucas Hedges and Gemma Chan. The film, one of the first feature projects set for HBO Max, is set to launch on the streamer in 2020.
“This arrangement grew out of talks Michael Sugar and I were having with Sarah Aubrey during the negotiations for Let Them All Talk, and there were four things tractor-beaming me toward this deal: One, I have a history with both HBO and Warner Bros.; two, my definition of a good product, a good process, and a good working culture is shared by the WarnerMedia family; three, the wide range of potential outlets aligns with my range of interests, and four: I get to witness and participate in the building of something new at a very large scale. Oh, and there is a financial aspect, so that’s probably five,” Soderbergh said.
“Steven is a groundbreaking filmmaker who not only tells unique, irresistible stories, but is also a master of so many genres,” said Sarah Aubrey, head of original content for HBO Max. “In many ways, he is the anti-algorithm constantly surprising, never predictable and his career is living proof that one gifted filmmaker can impact our culture again and again. I can’t wait for the projects that we’re working on together to premiere on HBO Max.”
“From Behind the Candelabra, to The Knick and Mosaic, we know first-hand that Steven Soderbergh’s creative genius knows no bounds,” added Casey Bloys, president of programming at HBO. “An indefatigable innovator, we couldn’t be more excited to continue our relationship with Steven and provide a home for his future projects.”