Fox Entertainment Studios and HarperCollins Publishers have signed a two-way first-look deal.
The deal is designed to create a “continuous content pipeline” between the two companies, according to a press release. Fox will develop series and films based on books from Avon A, a HarperCollins publication, but the publisher will have the opportunity to adapt the studio’s originals to print. The two companies are also considering forms of cross-platform collaboration, such as a companion book to be released alongside the film project. HarperCollins Productions executives Caroline Fraser and Jennifer Contorucci will serve as non-script producers on the project, which will be co-produced by the two companies.
“From YA to horror, AvonA has built an incredible library of genre-spanning, trend-driven stories that are begging to be adapted,” FOX head of scriptwriting Hannah Pillmer said in a statement. “Our ability to mine this rich and growing collection opens up a world of storytelling possibilities with in-the-moment immediacy for both viewers and readers. The reciprocal nature of our partnership makes it even more exciting by connecting audiences with great stories in new ways and offering fresh opportunities to enjoy their favorite characters across multiple mediums.”
“Developing new IP for both screen and page is the kind of symbiotic relationship that is every storyteller’s dream, whether they’re writers or screenwriters,” said Fraser, head of production at HarperCollins. “Our team at Avon A and our friends at Fox are already deep into their film wish lists, and we look forward to announcing the first wave of fresh and engaging storytelling opportunities soon. Whether it’s captivating audiences with great new movies or inspiring people to read more books, there’s no question that this partnership is a great fit.”
“This is about building a true creative dialogue between two companies that deeply understand what our readers and viewers want,” said Tessa Woodward, vice president and editorial director of AvonA. “By combining our focus on providing on-trend, genre-bending fiction for readers of all ages with Fox’s track record of creating unforgettable scripted entertainment, we are building a pipeline of compelling commercial stories across our platforms, deepening fan engagement and creating new entry points.” Get in touch with our authors’ work. ”
