Warner Bros. TV Signs Ava DuVernay to Multiyear Overall Deal

Back in March, we heard rumblings that Ava DuVernay was in talks to direct a film adaptation of Jack Kirby‘s New Gods for Warner Bros.. Turns out that’s only part of what was in the works for the Oscar-nominated director, as she and her Forward Movement production company just signed an absolutely MASSIVE multiyear overall deal with Warner Bros. Television which she already produces OWN series Queen Sugar, and The Red Line.

DuVernay will develop new projects for the studio, including drama, comedy, longform and event series, documentaries, digital content and more for platforms including broadcast, basic and premium cable, as well as streaming and on-demand platforms.

The Hollywood Reporter has sources estimating the deal to be worth in the high eight-figure range.

Peter Roth, WBTV chief content officer, said in a press release announcing the news:

“Ava DuVernay is one of the leading lights in our industry, a brilliantly talented writer, producer, director and entrepreneur whose ability to inspire with her art is exceeded only by her ability to entertain. We have had the great pleasure of working with her on Queen Sugar and The Red Line, and we are extremely excited about the new stories she has to tell.”

Of the deal, DuVernay said:

“I’ve had nothing but beautiful experiences working with Peter Roth, Susan Rovner and Brett Paul. They love and support artists in wonderful and nourishing ways. They work within a traditional studio headed by Kevin Tsujihara that is stirring with untraditional energy and fresh protocols for intentional, inclusive image-making. Warner Bros. is a terrific partner about matters of visibility and belonging for all kinds and cultures of people, which is our mission at Forward Movement. I couldn’t be happier to call Warner Bros. TV my production home.”