Can you feel the Kenergy? Ryan Gosling has launched a new production company, and he’s wasted no time in signing that company to a first-look film deal with Amazon MGM Studios.
Gosling has launched General Admission, which he will run alongside Jessie Henderson, a former executive with Apple Original Films over the last three years. Their company will produce movies across all genres for both theaters and streaming that are “fun, transportive entertainment for everyone.”
Under the deal with Amazon MGM, the studio will have the first look on any narrative features General Admission produces, some of which will star Gosling. It’s a three-year first look deal, and Amazon MGM says the movies will be made for both theatrical and streaming.
Gosling, who is riding high off his Oscar nomination for “Barbie” and his show-stopping performance of “I’m Just Ken” on the Oscars stage, is already a producer on the upcoming “The Fall Guy.” He’s next producing “Project Hail Mary” from Phil Lord and Chris Miller, which is based on a bestselling book by “The Martian” writer Andy Weir, and it’s also set at Amazon MGM. He also worked with Amazon MGM film chief Courtenay Valenti on “Barbie” when she was still at Warner Bros.
“I feel incredibly fortunate to have partners like Jessie Henderson and Courtenay Valenti in this endeavor,” Gosling said in a statement. “The gift of partnering with Jessie Henderson in General Admission is one that cannot be understated. I’m a huge fan of Jessie’s and the films she’s produced and developed. Her unique experience, intuition, work ethic, relationships, as well as the impressive road she’s paved for herself in both comedy and drama have led to a unique ability to make the rare films that combine both.”
Gosling continued: “It has been such a privilege to work with Courtenay Valenti on ‘Barbie’ and our upcoming film ‘Project Hail Mary.’ Her strong leadership; artistic instincts and clarity of vision make Courtenay a dream collaborator and one of proven expertise in the industry. From ‘The Wizard of Oz’ to ‘Rocky,’ MGM has made many of, not only my favorite films, but some of the greatest films of all time. I’m very excited about the future Courtenay and the team are building at Amazon MGM, and feel honored to be a part of the next chapter of this truly iconic studio.”
“We are so thrilled that Ryan Gosling and Jessie Henderson will make Amazon MGM Studios the home of their new company, General Admission,” said Valenti, head of film, streaming, and theatrical at Amazon MGM Studios. “As the name of their company conveys, these passionate and extraordinary filmmakers want to tell stories for audiences all over the world. Ryan Gosling is a truly singular artist who possesses boundless talent and creativity. We could not be more excited to make big, bold, signature movies with him. Everyone here at Amazon MGM Studios is not only inspired by Ryan and Jessie’s previous work as individual artists, but deeply energized by all that General Admission will create going forward.”
“Ryan brings a unique and brilliant perspective to everything he does, and I’m so impressed by his vision as a producer,” Henderson said. “We’re both true movie lovers who want to create stories that stick in audiences’ heads and hearts, and feel very lucky to be working with Courtenay Valenti and the entire team at the studio whose exceptional taste and leadership inspires us.”
Henderson spent the last three years at Apple Original Films and championed the upcoming “Blitz” from Steven McQueen, “Wolfs” from Jon Watts, and the still untitled F1 film from Joseph Kosinski. Before that, she spent six years running Paul Feig’s Feigco Entertainment, expanding it from film to both film and TV in 2018. She produced “Spy,” “A Simple Favor,” “Someone Great,” and “Last Christmas,” and executive produced Feig’s “Ghostbusters.” She also worked at Chernin Entertainment and Universal Pictures and started her career as an assistant to Neal Brennan on the final season of “Chappelle’s Show.”
Deadline first reported the news.
