What Fox Entertainment Studios and Harper Collins’ First-Look Deal Actually Means

Photo by JESHOOTS.com via Pexels

By Gavin Boyle

Expect more IP-based content to come out of Fox Entertainment Studios and Harper Collins as the two companies sign a two-way first look deal allowing both the first chance to jump on each others’ content.

“From YA to horror, Avon A (a subsidiary of Harper Collins) has built an impressive library of genre-spanning, trend-driven stories that are begging for adaptation,” said Hannah Pillemer, Head of Scripted Entertainment at Fox Entertainment Studios. “The reciprocal nature of our partnership makes it even more exciting by connecting audiences with great stories in new ways and giving them fresh opportunities to enjoy characters they love across multiple mediums.”

Related: Iconic Gumby Franchise Acquired by Fox Entertainment: ‘Welcome One And All’

Harper Collins’ most popular stories that are most ripe for adaptation include Rival Darlings, Heartsong, Rook & Rebel and He Sees You When You’re Sleeping. Previous stories from Harper Collins that were turned into successful TV shows include GOSSIP GIRL, PRETTY LITTLE LIARS and YOU.

“Developing new IP across both screen and page is the kind of symbiotic relationship that’s a storyteller’s dream, whether you’re an author or a screenwriter,” said Caroline Fraser, head of HarperCollins Productions. “The team at Avon A and our friends at Fox are already deep into their respective wish lists of adaptations and plan to announce an inaugural slate of fresh, captivating storytelling opportunities soon. From engaging audiences with a great new movie or inspiring people to read books, there’s no question this partnership is a great match.”

“This is about building a true creative dialogue between two companies that deeply understand what readers and viewers want,” added Tessa Woodward, vice president and editorial director at Avon A. “By combining our focus on delivering trend-driven, genre-spanning fiction for readers of all ages with Fox’s track record in producing unforgettable scripted entertainment, we’re creating a pipeline that delivers compelling, commercial stories across platforms by deepening fan engagement and creating new entry points into our authors’ work.”

Harper Collins would have the ability to adapt stories created for TV and movies at Fox Entertainment’s scripted and unscripted studios as well as animation studio Bento Box Entertainment, TMZ, Tideline Entertainment and Studio Ramsay Global.

This deal comes as Hollywood scoops up IP at a breakneck pace. As comic book stories and superhero movies have lost their allure, the entertainment industry saw video game-based stories as its next golden goose, but any established IP does the job. Books also have a longstanding tradition of being adapted for TV and movies. This deal will serve both companies well as they look for new stories to adapt for their chosen mediums.

Read Next: Studios Capitalizing on Hot Video Game Market

Questions or comments? Please write to us here.

Watch DOT CONNER: WEBTECTIVE: Episodes 1.1-1.6
Quality: – Content: +4

Watch STAN & OLLIE
Quality: – Content: +1