Oscar-winning writer/director Adam McKay has been riding a wave of success in the satire genre in the past few years with The Big Short and Vice and it looks as though his next project will seek to keep the streak going with Don’t Look Up.
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According to Deadline, McKay has signed a first-look deal with frequent studio collaborator Paramount Pictures through his production company Hyperobject Industries and is looking to make Don’t Look Up his first collaboration as part of the new partnership.
“[The film is a] dark satire in the school of Wag the Dog, Doctor Strangelove and Network and if it is half as good as any of them, I will be happy,” McKay told Deadline. “Two mid-level astronomers discover a meteorite will destroy earth in six months and must go on a media tour to warn mankind.”
McKay previously had a long-standing relationship with Paramount through his and Will Ferrell’s banner Gary Sanchez Productions, for which the two produced six movies for the studio and co-wrote and directed the Anchorman films, in which Ferrell starred. After 13 years of working together through the banner, the two decided to part ways from the production company, while still remaining attached to the projects set up prior to the split.
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“We have long enjoyed a successful creative and collaborative relationship with Adam, and couldn’t be happier to be alongside him on this journey as he explores this latest chapter,” Wyck Godfrey, President of Paramount’s Motion Picture Group, said.
“The first script I ever wrote was at Paramount. Our first overall deal was with Paramount Vantage 12 years ago,” McKay said. “We’ve done a half-dozen movies there. Mix in Great people like Wyck Godfrey and Jim Gianopulos, and this all feels very comfortable.”
(Photo Credit: Backgrid Images)
