Reel One Entertainment and The Cartel Announce 40 Movie Output Deal

By: Caryn Robbins Nov. 27, 2017

Leading independent drama producer and distributor Reel One Entertainment and production and management company The Cartel have today announced a multi-year deal that will see the two companies significantly expanding their investment in quality movies for the US and international market.

Under the deal, Reel One and The Cartel will co-develop 40 new movies over a three year period for their key US and international broadcast clients, including leading US cable networks Lifetime and The Hallmark Channel, as well as for theatrical release.

Among the first titles to be produced under the deal are the thrillers "Eve of Abduction", due for release in 2018, and the recently wrapped "A Friend's Obsession", starring Karissa Lee Staples ("Necessary Roughness").

Cartel and Reel One have previously collaborated successfully on six movies, including "The Wrong Mother", starring Vanessa Marcil ("Las Vegas", "Beverly Hills 90210") and Brooke Nevin ("Scorpion", "CSI"), which aired on Lifetime earlier this year, and the crime thriller "Deadly Exchange", as well as the 10-part police procedural series "Ties That Bind" (known internationally as "Detective McLean"), starring Kelli Williams ("Lie to Me", "Army Wives"), Jonathan Scarfe ("Van Helsing", "Hell on Wheels") and Luke Perry ("Riverdale", "Beverly Hills 90210").

Reel One will handle worldwide distribution of all 40 titles, adding to its growing line-up of in-house and acquired productions. Reel One's volume of content for distribution has more than doubled in the last few years, covering a broad range of genres, including romantic dramas, Christmas movies and thrillers.

The Cartel, meanwhile, has produced over 50 movies since 2007 and several series but the deal with Reel One will see it ramping up its investment in new titles significantly.

In addition, both companies are expanding their scripted series activities, following their collaboration on "Ties That Bind" last year. Reel One is currently developing a sci-fi series based on the Philip K Dick novella "Second Variety", while The Cartel teamed up with Aaron Paul earlier this year to develop a series based on the life of Jack Daniel.

"We are excited to continue and broaden our relationship with Reel One Entertainment," said Cartel Co- CEO Stan Spry. "They are one of the best international distributors and partners in the business, and we look forward to continued success and growth together."

Reel One CEO Tom Berry commented: "We're delighted to be partnering with Cartel to bring these new titles to our US and international buyers. We're seeing continued demand from broadcasters worldwide for high quality TV and theatrical movies that can attract audiences across different day-parts and this deal will allow us to further meet the needs of today's viewers."