Warner Bros. Announces First-Look Producing Deal w/Todd Phillips & Bradley Cooper's New Production Company

Longtime friends and collaborators Todd Phillips and Bradley Cooper have formed a production company as producing partners and signed a three-year, first-look production agreement with Warner Bros. Pictures, it was announced today by Greg Silverman, President, Creative Development and Worldwide Production, Warner Bros. Pictures.

"Todd and Bradley have deep personal ties throughout the Studio and we couldn't be more pleased that they are combining their immense talents into what promises to be one formidable production company," said Silverman. "The entire Warner Bros. family is excited about the great movies we know will come from this collaboration of two highly successful and original filmmakers."

"Todd is one of the smartest, coolest guys I know," said Cooper. "He also happens to be one of the best filmmakers in the business, and I am honored and excited to be his partner."

"Bradley is a tremendous talent and one of my closest friends," said Phillips. "He is the hardest working guy I know and truly loves all aspects of filmmaking. The pairing of his intense focus and my good looks should make for some fun, and hopefully compelling, projects. I look forward to causing some trouble with him."

The first collaboration under the new banner will be "Arms & the Dudes," which is Phillips' next project to direct. The film is based on a Rolling Stone article written by Guy Lawson that chronicles the true story of two stoner kids from Miami Beach who wound up becoming big-time arms dealers for the U.S. government, eventually landing a $300 million contract that got them in way over their heads.

Cooper, who became well known from "The Hangover" franchise, has since been nominated for Academy Awards for his work in "Silver Linings Playbook" and "American Hustle." He formed 22nd & Indiana Pictures and partnered with Warner Bros. in a two-year development deal in 2012. One of the first projects Cooper acquired under the 22nd & Indiana banner was "American Sniper," an adaptation of the autobiography of Navy SEAL Chris Kyle. Cooper is producing and starring in the film, which is currently shooting in Morocco and Los Angeles, under the direction of Clint Eastwood.

Phillips' Green Hat Films has been based at Warner Bros. since 2005. The first film under the Green Hat banner was "The Hangover," which grossed $469.2 million worldwide, and still ranks, domestically, as the highest grossing R-rated comedy ever. The sequel, "The Hangover Part II," surpassed its predecessor, grossing $587.2 million worldwide. Collectively, "The Hangover" trilogy has grossed over $1.4 billion globally. Phillips also produced and directed "Due Date" for the studio in 2010 and produced "Project X" in 2012.

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