Netflix Acquires Ben Affleck’s AI; Amazon MGM Signs Mike Flanagan; Angelina Jolie’s Couture Lands Vertical & More!

Mike Flanagan has signed a multi-year exclusive overall television deal with Amazon MGM Studios via his Red Room Pictures banner. The partnership launches with an eight-episode series adaptation of Stephen King’s ‘Carrie’. The project stars Summer H. Howell, Samantha Sloyan, and Matthew Lillard. Flanagan previously developed hit horror content for Netflix before moving to Amazon. (🇺🇸)

→ Tell me about recent adaptation deals of Amazon MGM Studios

See-Saw Films has acquired the television rights to John Grant’s ‘Lovejoy’ novels, aiming to revive the classic series. Starring Ian McShane as the titular antique dealer, the original show was a major success for the BBC. See-Saw, in collaboration with Blue Ant Media, is developing a modern adaptation with Blue Ant handling global distribution. (🇬🇧)

→ Provide an in-depth company profile of See-Saw Films

Fox has given the green light to a third season of the medical drama ‘Doc,’ building on the momentum of its successful premiere. Starring Molly Parker, the series is a collaboration between Sony Pictures Television and Fox Entertainment Studios. The renewal means a 13-episode order for the 2025-26 broadcast season, keeping the narrative going, which is based on the well-regarded Italian series ‘Nelle tue mani.’ (🇺🇸)

→ When did the series “Doc” commissioned by Fox launch?

PBS Masterpiece has renewed ‘The Forsyte Saga’ for a third season, produced by Mammoth Screen and Silverprint Pictures. Starring Francesca Annis and Stephen Dillane, the series continues the multi-generational tale of the Forsyte family. PBS Masterpiece remains the US distributor, while international rights for the project are managed by ITV Studios. (🇬🇧)

→ The Forsytes has been renewed for Season 3. Who are the deal-makers and key people attached?

Vertical has acquired North American distribution rights to the fashion-world drama ‘Couture’ from director Maria Sole Tognazzi. Starring Angelina Jolie as a high-stakes fashion editor, the film follows the intense rivalries within a legendary French fashion house. The deal was negotiated with sales agent WME Independent. Vertical plans a wide theatrical release for the project later this year. (🇺🇸)

→ Besides Vertical in North America, which distributors have acquired Couture, and for which territories?

The Match Factory secured multiple global distribution deals for ‘Queen at Sea’ following its Berlinale Silver Bear win. Rights were sold to Curzon (UK/Ireland), Aurora (Poland), Imagine Film (Benelux), and Challan (South Korea), among others. Directed by Lance Hammer and starring Anna Paquin and Marton Csokas, the film also features award-winning performances by Tom Courtenay and Anna Calder-Marshall. (🇩🇪)

→ Which films have won awards at the 2026 Berlinale?

Canal+ and France Télévisions have pre-bought ‘Il faut brûler maman’ to strengthen their upcoming content slates. Produced by Catherine Bozorgan for ADCB Films, the feature is co-produced by France 2 Cinéma and Pathé, with Pathé handling French distribution and international sales. Paramount+ also secured pre-buy rights for the project, which features cinematography by César-winner Alexis Kavyrchine. (🇫🇷)

→ What is a pre-buy?

Lifetime channel has acquired rights for the Turkish drama series ‘Kuma: The Other Wife’ for Latin America. The project is a co-production between Stellar Yapim, GoQuest Media, and VIP 2000. Starring Emre Özmen, Aybüke Yılmaz, and Hilal Tüfek, the 100-episode series follows a woman forced into a traditional second-wife role. (🇺🇸)

→ What are the trends of Turkish content acquisition in Latin America?

Netflix has acquired ‘InterPositive’, an AI post-production startup founded by Ben Affleck. The technology utilizes a production’s own footage to assist filmmakers with tasks like reframing shots, adjusting lighting, and removing stunt wires. Affleck joins Netflix as a senior advisor, ensuring the tools support rather than replace human creative judgment during the filmmaking process. (🇺🇸)

→ What was the strategy behind Netflix’s acquisition of Ben Affleck’s AI company, InterPositive?

Cinecittà Studios has announced an expansion of its international production slate following a major infrastructure upgrade. The Italian studio complex, currently hosting Roland Emmerich’s ‘Those About to Die’ starring Anthony Hopkins, has secured new filming agreements with Amazon MGM Studios and Fremantle. These deals ensure the historic facility remains a primary hub for large-scale global cinematic projects. (🇮🇹)

→ I want to know more about the leadership team at Cinecittà Studios

The NSW Government has launched an Expressions of Interest (EOI) process to develop a major new film and TV studio in Sydney. Managed by Screen NSW, the initiative seeks a commercial partner to develop and operate a world-class facility that will attract international blockbusters. The move aims to provide additional infrastructure for global production companies and local distributors. (🇦🇺)

→ The NSW Government has launched an Expressions of Interest (EOI) process to develop a major new film and TV studio in Sydney. What kind of tax incentives or ‘Location Offsets’ are being bundled with this EOI to lure big players ?

Netflix has secured long-term expansion rights at Longcross Studios from site owners Aviva Investors and Crest Nicholson. The deal includes the construction of several new sound stages and production facilities to support Netflix’s UK-based content slate. Longcross has previously hosted major productions such as ‘The Gentlemen’ and ‘Skyfall’, with Netflix serving as the primary distributor. (🇬🇧)

→ Which are the large sound stages and production facilities in the UK?