Neal H. Moritz, Paramount Renew First Look Production Deal

Paramount Pictures and Neal H. Moritz’s Original Film banner have renewed their first look production deal for another three years.

The new deal extends the studio’s relationship with Moritz through 2027. The partnership was last extended in 2020 after Moritz and his production banner left their longtime deal with Sony Pictures.

“We are proud to continue our long-standing relationship with Neal, who is renowned across the industry for building enduring and audience-beloved franchises. We can’t wait to continue partnering on our top-tier animated and live-action projects together,” Brian Robbins, president and CEO of Paramount Pictures, said in a statement.

Under the new deal, Paramount and Miramax will have Moritz produce a new installment in the Scary Movie franchise. The film is being made as part of the studio’s first look partnership with Miramax under CEO Jonathan Glickman, with Paramount Pictures distributing.

“I’m thrilled to be extending my partnership with Paramount. Collaborating with Brian Robbins, Marc Weinstock, Daria Cercek, and Mike Ireland has been a rewarding experience and I’m enthusiastic about continuing our creative journey together,” Moritz said in his own statement.

The latest Scary Movie movie is going into production this year ahead of a theatrical release in 2025. Moritz is also known for producing the Fast & Furious franchise at Universal Pictures and 21 Jump Street at Sony.

Other credits include I Know What You Did Last Summer, Cruel Intentions, Sweet Home Alabama and I Am Legend. Currently, Moritz is executive producing Knuckles, a six-episode original event series that takes place after the events of Sonic the Hedgehog 2.

The series debuts April 26 on Paramount+ in the U.S. and follows Knuckles (Idris Elba) on a hilarious and action-packed journey of self-discovery as he agrees to train Wade, played by Adam Pally, as his protégé and teach him the ways of the Echidna warrior.

Moritz is also producing Sonic the Hedgehog 3, scheduled for wide release on Dec. 20, after he previously produced Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic the Hedgehog 2, films with a combined global box office of $725.2 million.

Moritz is also developing several feature film projects at Paramount, including Face/Off, Witnessville and Black Sunday. Cumulatively, Moritz’s films have grossed over $11 billion at the worldwide box office. Upcoming films include Cliffhanger, Highlander and the finale to the Fast and Furious franchise.

For TV, Moritz serves as a producer of S.W.A.T.  for CBS and Golden Axe for Comedy Central, as well as the The Boys (Season 4), Gen V (Season 2), Cruel Intentions, Goosebumps (Season 2) and Long Bright River.