Elizabeth Banks and Max Handelman’s Brownstone Productions has inked a first-look deal with Universal Television (UTV), Variety has learned exclusively.
The company was previously set up under an overall deal at Warner Bros. Television. Under the deal, Brownstone will develop and produce TV series with UTV across all platforms. Furthermore, Brownstone has promoted Anna Hughes to vice president and Kristen Spence to creative executive.
“Brownstone Productions first emerged from the primordial swamps of Universal Pictures, so it’s only natural that our next evolutionary leap happens with Universal Television. We’re thrilled to continue growing with such a stellar team and deeply grateful to Donna, Pearlena and Erin for their support. We’ll do our best to make them proud—and hopefully cause just the right amount of chaotic joy along the way.”
Brownstone currently has two projects in development with UTV for Peacock. First, there is the comedy “Pitch Perfect: K-Pop Idols.” Hailing from writer Joel Kim Booster, the logline states that the show “follows a struggling singer-songwriter whose life completely turns upside down when she finds herself auditioning to be a part of the first all-American K-pop group.”
This marks the latest TV expansion of the “Pitch Perfect” film franchise, of which Banks and Handelman are integral parts. Peacock previously aired the TV series “Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin” starring Adam Devine, who reprised his role from the films.
Banks and Handelman will executive produce “Pitch Perfect: K-Pop Idols” along with Paul Brooks and Scott Niemeyer for Gold Circle Films. Jason Moore will direct and executive produce. Brownstone and Gold Circle produced all three films in the “Pitch Perfect” franchise, with Banks having directed “Pitch Perfect 2″ and appearing onscreen in all three films. Moore directed the original film.
Brownstone is also developing the series “Crush” from writer and executive producer Addison McQuigg at Peacock. The show is said to be inspired by the 1995 episode of “The Jenny Jones Show” titled “Revealing Same-Sex Secret Crushes.” The logline states that it is “set within the insane world of tabloid talk shows, weaving together a poignant tale of ambition, heartbreak and murder.”
Banks and Handelman are again executive producers along with Patrick Macmanus and Littleton Road Productions, Elliot Page and Matt Jordan Smith for Pageboy Productions, and and Joshua Beirne-Golden. UTV and UCP will co-produce.
“Elizabeth is a singular creative force whose storytelling shines both in front and behind the camera. She, Max and the Brownstone team have been part of the NBCUniversal family for years, and we’re excited to make Universal Television their creative home for series, where they can develop fresh, compelling shows and continue doing what they do best—entertaining fans everywhere,” said Erin Underhill, president of UTV.
Brownstone has a long history with NBCUniversal, including the company’s first-look deal with Universal Pictures. All three “Pitch Perfect” movies hailed from Universal Pictures, with the franchise having grossed over $1 billion at the global box office. Banks also directed and produced the film “Cocaine Bear” for the studio. Up next, she will appear in the Peacock series “The Miniature Wife” alongside Matthew Macfadyen
Banks and Brownstone Productions are repped by UTA, Untitled Entertainment and Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole.
