Amazon MGM Studios has entered into a multi-year film partnership with Scott Stuber, the former head of film at Netflix. As part of the pact, the streamer and studio will finance and release movies from Stuber’s new production company under United Artists, a languishing label that once operated under the auspice of MGM. In its heyday, United Artists released movies like “The Pink Panther,” “Rocky” “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” “Network” and the James Bond films. The agreement calls for Stuber and his soon-to-be launched company to produce several films annually. They will be released both theatrically and via Prime Video, Amazon’s streaming service.
Stuber’s new company will be based on Amazon MGM Studios’ Culver City lot. The pact is a first-look one, giving Amazon MGM Studios the initial crack at the projects Stuber develops. In addition, Stuber will be involved in all projects released by the new UA.
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“With his proven track record of delivering global hits and an eye towards theatrical fare, Scott’s expertise and vision align perfectly with our film strategy,” said Jennifer Salke, head of Amazon MGM Studios. “We are so proud to welcome him to our lot and partner with him on the relaunch of the legendary UA brand, as we work to leverage existing and new IP into big, broad films that resonate with worldwide audiences.”
“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Mike Hopkins, Jen Salke and Courtenay Valenti over the years, and I’m thrilled to partner with them to produce a slate of films and to relaunch the iconic UA brand that has such a rich history of cinematic storytelling,” said Stuber. “During this dynamic and transformative time for our industry, I am excited to have the opportunity to work with partners who are committed to telling stories that reach and resonate with global audiences. I look forward to producing a wide range of films with great filmmakers, using both original story concepts and MGM and United Artists’ incredible library of existing IP.”
At Netflix, Stuber helped bolster the company’s original film productions, enlisting top directors like Martin Scorsese (“The Irishman”), Jane Campion (“The Power of the Dog”), Alfonso Cuarón (“Roma”) and Bradley Cooper (“Maestro”) to make movies for the streaming service. Though Stuber established Netflix as a destination for top talent to bring projects, he often struggled to produce movies that gripped the popular consciousness. And that was despite the fact that Netflix spent generously on the movies it made. Stuber left Netflix in January with Dan Lin, the producer of “The Lego Movie” and “Sherlock Holmes,” replacing him as the head of film as the streamer changed course in an attempt to rein in costs and concentrate on more populist fare.
Prior to Netflix, Stuber founded and led Bluegrass Films, which produced such films as “Ted,” “Central Intelligence” and “Safe House.” He was also the former vice chairman of worldwide production at Universal Studios, overseeing the likes of “A Beautiful Mind,” “Meet the Parents” and both the Bourne and Fast and the Furious franchises.
As for United Artists, the studio originally faltered with the box office debacle of 1980’s “Heaven’s Gate,” Michael Cimino’s critically-derided Western epic. It was sold to MGM a few years later with the studio attempting to reinvigorate the brand with mixed results. Over the ensuing decades, it would produce hits and critical favorites such as “The Birdcage,” “Leaving Las Vegas” and a Pierce Brosnan-led remake of “The Thomas Crown Affair,” as well as duds like “Showgirls.”
