Angelina Jolie has entered into a three-year international agreement with Fremantle to produce a number of films, television series and documentaries.
The Oscar-winning actress of The Girlfriend, Interrupted Life, Mr. and Mrs. Smith and The Changeling, who is a UN refugee agency special envoy, will produce, direct, or star in each on a case-by-case basis, as she aims to tell stories that are complex, powerful and internationally oriented, including projects in local languages.
The first will be an adaptation of Alessandro Baricco’s international bestseller Without Blood, which she will produce and direct in Italy, with others to be announced soon.
Jolie said “the freedom to tell important stories and bring them to a global audience” is at the heart of her three-year contract.
“I am thrilled to be working with such a passionate and forward-thinking team that has an international perspective,” she added.
This move touches on one of Fremantle’s key development goals, which is to secure contracts with the best specialists. The other, a buyout of indie writers, was bolstered yesterday by the announcement of a 70 percent stake in 30-year-old Italian producer Lux Vide.
Central to the success of the Jolie deal, which ends a huge week for Fremantle, is global CEO Jennifer Mullin and global COO Andrea Scrosati, as well as Fremantle-backed De Maio Entertainment’s Lorenzo De Maio, who will be a strategic partner and advisor on the slate. .
Mullin said: “Fremantle and Angelina share a passion and drive to tell compelling stories from around the world for everyone in the world. We welcome and support the creative independence of our partners and look forward to working with Angelina to bring powerful and unique stories to a global audience.”
Jolie represents WME and attorneys Robert Offer and Lindsey Strasberg at Sloane, Offer, Weber and Dern LLP.