Universal Pictures has entered into a first-look production agreement with Janelle Monae’s Wondaland Pictures, the film division of Wondaland.
Under the deal, Wondaland and Universal Pictures will aim at developing “multi-genre content with an emphasis on championing underrepresented voices and groundbreaking perspectives.”
Universal Pictures announced the deal and noted that Janelle Monae stars in Universal’s “Welcome to Marwen,” which opens Dec. 21, and Harriet Tubman biopic “Harriet,” with an anticipated release in 2019 via Universal’s affiliate Focus Features.
“There is an exciting, artistic revolution taking place in our industry, and Janelle and the talented team at Wondaland are at the forefront,” says studio chairman Donna Langley. “Their forward-thinking, inclusive approach to content and storytelling make them a perfect fit for our studio.”
Monae is also starring in the STX animated movie “UglyDolls” and is expected to perform original songs for the film. Her previous acting credits include “Moonlight” and “Hidden Figures” as NASA engineer Mary Jackson.
Monae is CEO at Wondaland. The executives include managing partner Mikael Moore, creative director Chuck Lightning, and executive producer Nate Wonder. Wondaland was represented in the deal by WME and Ziffren Brittenham.
Janelle Monae takes to Instagram to gives thanks and notify her fans of this venture in a lenghy post saying “Thank you for your belief in @wondaland Donna Langley & Universal . We look forward to going on this journey ! To our peers & fellow creatives we can’t wait to collaborate with you . Family, friends, & day one supporters we hope to make you proud . We are humbled by the opportunity. ??
#WondalandPictures ????????? “Universal Pictures announced that the studio has entered into a first-look production agreement with Janelle Monáe’s Wondaland Pictures, the film division of her multimedia company Wondaland.
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Alongside its creative in-house team of executives including CEO Monáe, Managing Partner Mikael Moore, Creative Director Chuck Lightning and Executive Producer Nate Wonder, Wondaland and Universal Pictures will develop multi-genre content with an emphasis on championing underrepresented voices and groundbreaking perspectives. ?
“There is an exciting, artistic revolution taking place in our industry, and Janelle and the talented team at Wondaland are at the forefront,” said Donna Langley, Chairman, Universal Pictures. “Their forward-thinking, inclusive approach to content and storytelling make them a perfect fit for our studio.” ?
The deal further strengthens the collaborative relationship between Monáe and Universal: She stars in Universal’s upcoming Robert Zemeckis-directed movie Welcome to Marwen, opening Dec. 21, and Focus Features’ Harriet Tubman biopic Harriet due out next year.”
Congrats to Janelle Monae on this amazing venture.
