Bad Robot Productions Signs Far-Reaching Production Deals With Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros. Television

July 15, 2006

J.J. Abrams' Bad Robot Productions has signed separate deals encompassing film and television with Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros. Television, respectively.

"I've been looking forward to the launch of Bad Robot Productions for a long time, and I can't imagine better partners than Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros. Television," said Abrams, who is joined at Bad Robot by long-time collaborator, producer Bryan Burk. "The executive teams at both of these companies understand what we're building at Bad Robot, and I can't wait to get to work."

On the feature front, Bad Robot has entered into a long-term, first look producing deal with Paramount Pictures. The first project being developed under the arrangement is the revival of the Star Trek series, which is being produced by Abrams, Burk, Damon Lindelof, Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci.

Another component of the arrangement calls for Bad Robot to produce a slate of movies budgeted under $25 million. "I'm particularly excited about this aspect of our partnership," said Abrams. "I have nothing against larger budget films, but as someone who's worked in television, I know that some pretty powerful stories can be told for somewhere under $200 million."

"JJ is a supremely talented storyteller with one of the most original and dynamic voices in entertainment," commented Gail Berman, President, Paramount Pictures. "We are thrilled to have him join us at Paramount Pictures. J.J. will be guiding us through the rebirth of our Star Trek franchise as well as other fantastic projects to entertain the many audiences we serve at Paramount."

"Brad Grey has a vision for the new Paramount, and it's inspiring," added Abrams. "During my experience working with Brad on 'Mission: Impossible III', I was humbled by his unwavering trust and generous support. I can't say enough about him, Gail Berman, Rob Moore and the entire Paramount team."

In television, Bad Robot has signed an exclusive, long-term deal with Warner Bros. Television. Under the deal, Abrams' Bad Robot Productions will develop and produce new television projects for the studio.

"J.J. is a unique and extraordinary talent that I have admired from a distance for many years," said Peter Roth, President, Warner Bros. Television. "Fortunately, with time and patience we were able to entice him over to Warner Bros. Television."

"I have great respect for Peter Roth, as an executive and as a human being. I'm thrilled and honored to be in business with Peter and the remarkable company he helped build," said Abrams. "As I embark on this new chapter, I also want to acknowledge the wonderful working relationship I have had with ABC and Steve McPherson and Touchstone Television and Mark Pedowitz over the years. We're still working together on three series, and I look forward to continuing our collaboration in the future."