Sam Mendes And Focus Films Form New Partnership

Variety is reporting that Director Sam Mendes ("American Beauty", Donmar Warehouse's CABARET Revival) has signed a two-year first-look deal with Focus Films. The arrangement between Neal Street Productions - which Mendes helms with Pippa Harris and Caro Newling - and Focus Films will include the acquisition of two projects that could be potential directing projects for Academy Award winner Mendes.

"The range of Sam's interests and skills as a filmmaker is limitless, and he is a magnet for top talent in front of and behind the camera," said Focus CEO James Schamus.

Mendes, currently represented on Broadway as a producer of Shrek The Musical, just released his latest project, "Away We Go," which stars John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph. The film was produced by Focus Films, and represents the studio's first project with the filmmaker.

Neal Street's Theater Productions include "Shrek the Musical" and "Mary Stuart," and Neal Street Theatricals is participating in a trans-Atlantic producing partnership called the Bridge Project. As part of that initiative, Mendes directed a double bill of "The Winter's Tale" and "The Cherry Orchard" at BAM, which has since moved to the Old Vic.

To read more about the partnership, check out Variety's article here.

Neal Street Productions is the UK based independent film and theatre Production Company set up in 2003 by Sam Mendes, Pippa Harris, and Caro Newling. Neal Street has a first look deal with DreamWorkd SKG and currently has a range of film and Theatre Projects in development on both sides of the Atlantic. Pippa Harris heads up the film arm and Caro Newling heads up the theatre arm of Neal Street. For more information visit www.nealstreetproductions.com.