Universal Pictures has made a first-look production deal with Lorne Michaels and his Broadway Video banner. Michaels — already ensconced at NBC as the long-running producer of Saturday Night Live, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Late Night with Seth Meyers — extends that deal, and on the movie side, he moves from a long-term deal with Paramount Pictures.
Michaels and the studio come right out of the gate with the Universal comedy Baby Nurse, from a script written by Austin Winsberg that will star Saturday Night Live cohorts Leslie Jones and Colin Jost. Jones will play a special agent assigned to the most humbling undercover role in the history of the FBI. Michaels will produce and the exec producer will be Jost, the SNL head writer and Weekend Update co-host.
Michaels and his longtime collaborator Erin David will oversee the film division. The first look was made by Universal president of production Peter Cramer.
“Lorne Michaels is already such a vital part of the NBCUniversal family, so we are thrilled to formalize our long-standing relationship with him on the film side of his company,” said Cramer. “We look forward to collaborating with Lorne and his fantastic team as he continues his unparalleled run of success in producing quality, all-audience entertainment.”
Michaels’ endless credits include IFC’s Documentary Now!, Peabody Award-winning Portlandia and Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning 30 Rock. On the feature side, the comedies anchored by SNL castmembers and alumni include Mean Girls, Baby Mama, Wayne’s World, Tommy Boy and Three Amigos, the latter of which he produced and co-wrote with Steve Martin and Randy Newman. Saturday Night Live is still thriving in its 43rd season.
Source: Deadline
