FX Inks First Look Deal With Color Force Production Company

FX Productions has entered into an agreement with mega-producer Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson and their Production Company, Color Force, for a first-look production deal with FXP exclusively for cable television, it was announced jointly by John Landgraf, President and General Manager of FX Networks, and Eric Schrier, Head of Series Development for FX and Executive Vice President of FX Productions.

Color Force will seek to develop series projects from writer-producers, as well as secure the rights to published material that can be adapted into television series.

"Over the past 20 years, Nina Jacobson has amassed one of the most successful bodies of work in the film business, both as an executive and a producer," said Landgraf. "We are thrilled that she and Brad Simpson have chosen to partner with FX Productions for their first venture into television."

Jacobson said, "We are expanding our business into television because we find it creatively irresistible. Color Force truly values story and character and there is so much great storytelling happening in TV right now, especially at FX. John Landgraf and his team are real risk takers who make some of our favorite shows and they feel like a great fit for us. Color Force plans to approach TV the same way we do features - by creating an environment in which singular voices can flourish," said Jacobson.

The pact with Color Force is the first POD deal for FX Productions that was not established through a prior existing relationship with the studio. FXP currently has output deals in place with RCG Productions, the Production Company of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Executive Producer/Showrunners Rob McElhenney, Charlie Day and Glenn Howerton, and Floyd County Productions, the Production Company of Archer Executive Producer/Showrunners Adam Reed and Matt Thompson.

"The deal with Color Force is a big step in the growth of FX Productions," said Schrier. "To have incredibly creative, successful producers like Nina and Brad attract new talent and material for FXP is certain to increase our output, provide the opportunity to deliver more hit series, and grow our portfolio. They have a proven track record and this is a real coup for the studio."

Nina Jacobson has built an impressive 20-year career as a senior film executive at three major motion picture studios. Diary of a Wimpy Kid was Jacobson's first film as a producer and the first production for her company, Color Force. A commercial success, the film grossed over $75 million worldwide and led to the production of the sequel, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules, which opened at #1 at the box office and went on to gross over $70 million worldwide. A third film, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days, is being released this month.

Jacobson's Color Force, in tandem with producer Jon Kilik, produced The Hunger Games, based on SuzAnne Collins' best-selling novel. The record-breaking film was released in March 2012, taking in a record $155 million domestically opening weekend and $59.3 million overseas in 67 foreign markets. The film set the record for the biggest March opening ever and the third-best debut in North American box office history. A sequel based on the second book in the trilogy is due to be released in November 2013, directed by Francis Lawrence.

Prior to forming Color Force, Jacobson was president of the Walt Disney Motion Picture Group, where she oversaw script development and film production for Walt Disney Pictures, Touchstone Pictures and Hollywood Pictures. During her tenure, 15 of Jacobson's projects grossed over $100 million domestically.

At Disney, Jacobson oversaw and launched some of Hollywood's biggest family film franchises, including Pirates of the Caribbean, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and The Princess Diaries. The Pirates of the Caribbean franchise became the highest grossing film in Disney's history, generating almost three billion dollars in worldwide box office.

In addition, she has spearheaded an eclectic range of films that includes titles such as The Rookie, Remember the Titans, Freaky Friday, Miracle, Step Up, Bringing Down the House, Sweet Home Alabama, The Sixth Sense, and The Royal Tenenbaums. Before joining the Walt Disney Motion Picture Group, Jacobson was a senior film executive at DreamWorks SKG.

Prior to joining Color Force as Partner in 2012, Brad Simpson most recently served as executive producer of Marc Forster's World War Z. He produced the hit films Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules as well as the upcoming Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days along with Jacobson.

From 2004-2007, Simpson was President of Appian Way, Leonardo DiCaprio's Warner Brothers-based Production Company. He began his career at the legendary New York independent Production Company Killer Films where he served as an executive and a producer from 1996-2004. At Killer Films, he co-produced the multiple Academy Award-nominated film, Far From Heaven, and he served as associate producer on Boys Don't Cry.

John Landgraf spearheaded the formation of FX Productions in 2005 prior to the production of FX's hit comedy series, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Since that time, FXP has gone on to produce ten comedy series and co-produced seven drama series. Schrier oversees all aspects of business operations for FXP and has played an integral role in its growth. He reports to Landgraf. Nick Lombardo is Vice President of Production and Kelly Cline is Executive Vice President in charge of Business and Legal Affairs.

The deal was negotiated by CAA on behalf of Color Force.

About Color Force

Since its inception, Nina Jacobson's Color Force has proven to be a hotbed for bringing beloved literary adaptations to the big screen. The company has placed a premium on the primacy of great storytelling. They have become known for working closely with authors and filmmakers throughout the adaptation process. In just 5 years, Jacobson and her team have been able to secure valuable partnerships with several favorite pop culture writers, including SuzAnne Collins (The Hunger Games trilogy), David Nicholls (One Day) and Jeff Kinney (The Wimpy Kid series).

About FX Productions

FX Productions produces the critically acclaimed hit comedy series It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The League, Louie, Archer, Wilfred, the upcoming comedy Legit, and the new late night series BrandX with Russell Brand and Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell. FXP co-produces the award-winning hit drama series Sons of Anarchy and Justified.