Amazon MGM Studios acquires three major film projects

Amazon MGM Studios has acquired three major film projects in recent days, signaling the entertainment giant's aggressive push into original content across multiple genresvariety+2.
Orion Pictures secured "Harness," a 1980s sports betting thriller written and directed by Leigh Janiak, marking the "Fear Street" filmmaker's pivot away from horror into suspenseful territoryvariety.
The studio tapped David F. Sandberg to helm a new "Amityville Horror" reimagining, with the "Shazam!" director reuniting with producer Peter Safran on the iconic franchise reboothollywoodreporter+1.
Amazon finalized an $11-12 million deal for "Ballerina Overdrive," an all-female action thriller starring Uma Thurman and Lana Condor about ballerinas fighting for survivaldeadline+1.
The acquisitions span thriller, horror, and action genres, with Amazon securing both U.S. and international rights to build potential franchises and compete with traditional studios in theatrical and streaming marketsvariety+2.

Amazon MGM Studios is on an acquisition spree, securing multiple high-profile film projects that signal the entertainment giant's continued investment in original content. The studio has completed deals for at least three major productions in recent days, including a thriller from a rising horror auteur and a reimagining of a classic horror franchise.

New Thriller Acquisition Marks Director's Genre Pivot

Amazon MGM's Orion Pictures label has acquired "Harness," a thriller written and directed by Leigh Janiak, according to Variety. The project, which made The Black List in 2023, marks a departure from horror for Janiak, who previously helmed Netflix's "Fear Street" trilogy and worked on HBO's "The Staircase."variety

Set in the brutal world of 1980s sports betting, "Harness" follows "a wannabe female jockey and her trainer brother-in-law" who "become entangled in an illicit relationship full of blood, sweat, and sex that pushes the limits of their bodies and the law," according to the project's Black List logline. Elizabeth Banks' Brownstone Productions moved quickly to secure the script from competitors, with casting currently underway.variety

Horror Franchise Gets Fresh Direction

Separately, Amazon MGM Studios has tapped David F. Sandberg to direct a new "Amityville Horror" film, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. The project reunites Sandberg with The Safran Company's Peter Safran, following their collaboration on "Annabelle: Creation" and the "Shazam!" films.hollywoodreporter

Ian Goldberg and Richard Naing, who wrote the screenplay for the recent box office success "The Conjuring: Last Rites," are penning what's being described as a "reimagining" of the 1979 classic. The original film, based on Jay Anson's 1977 novel, has spawned multiple sequels and remakes over the decades.worldofreel

Action Film Completes Triple Acquisition

Amazon AMZN MGM Studios is also finalizing an $11-12 million deal for "Ballerina Overdrive," an all-female action thriller starring Uma Thurman and Lana Condor, according to Deadline. Directed by Vicky Jewson, the completed film follows a troupe of ballerinas fighting for survival after their bus breaks down en route to a dance competition.deadline

The project features an ensemble cast including Millicent Simmonds, Iris Apatow, Maddie Ziegler, and Avantika, with stunt choreographers Heidi and Renae Moneymaker creating dance-based action sequences. The acquisition includes both U.S. and international rights, positioning the studio to potentially develop the property into a franchise.joblo

These acquisitions demonstrate Amazon's strategy of building a diverse content portfolio spanning multiple genres and target audiences, as the company continues to compete with traditional studios and streaming rivals in both theatrical and direct-to-streaming releases.

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