Quendrith Johnson

by Quendrith Johnson, Los Angeles Correspondent

Just when you thought Hollywood might be DOA for 2021, or at least dormant for the Pandemic, Aaron Ryder just established Ryder Picture Company, and nabbed a first-look feature deal with MGM.

Read on, from Screenmancer...

LOS ANGELES: Academy Award nominated producer Aaron Ryder has launched a new production company, Ryder Picture Company (RPC), which will develop and produce commercially viable, elevated films. Ryder, a prolific producer has found success in both specialized and studio films, a portfolio which includes a 2016 Best Picture Oscar nomination for Denis Villeneuve’s Arrival, starring Amy Adams. The Ryder Picture Company has also struck a first-look feature film deal with MGM, where Ryder is set to re-team with Michael De Luca, the Chairman of MGM’s Film Group, following their collaboration on Lisa Joy’s Reminiscence starring Hugh Jackman which is now in post-production for Warner Bros.

Michael De Luca, Chairman of MGM’s Film Group and Pam Abdy, MGM’s Motion Picture Group President added: “Aaron has exceptional taste and is among the very best producers working today. We are thrilled to have him among our MGM family of filmmakers, and look forward to the many films that lie ahead as we continue to bolster our feature slate.”

Founder and CEO Aaron Ryder said: “From the minute Mike and Pam told me their plan for the studio, I was instantly excited for them and for the industry. MGM has quickly become a much-needed destination for filmmakers and I intend, wholeheartedly, to contribute in that mission.”

Aaron Ryder at arrivals for ARRIVAL Premiere at Toronto International Film Festival 2016, Roy Thomson Hall, Toronto, ON. Credit: James Atoa/Everett Collection/Alamy Live News

RPC's new CEO is in the process of filling a few key positions. Ryder is currently in production in Montreal on Damian Szifron’s Misanthrope starring Shailene Woodley, which he is producing for FilmNation Entertainment.  As one of the founding members of FilmNation, Ryder contributed greatly to the company’s creative direction and enduring success, producing over a dozen films including: Arrival; Jeff Nichols’ Mud; and The Founder, directed by John Lee Hancock and starring Michael Keaton.

Ryder’s collaboration with Christopher Nolan runs deep, having produced The Prestige starring Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale and executive producing Memento starring Guy Pearce, which was nominated for two Academy Awards. He recently produced Netflix’s critically acclaimed Pieces of a Woman starring Vanessa Kirby, The Good House for Amblin Pictures, Apple’s WWII hit Greyhound starring Tom Hanks, and is currently in post on The Map of Tiny Perfect Things for Amazon Studios.

(The deal was negotiated by Howard Abramson and Jennifer Levy on behalf of Ryder.)

MGM is Metro Goldwyn Mayer…

Metro Goldwyn Mayer (MGM) is a leading entertainment company focused on the production and global distribution of film and television content across all platforms. The company owns one of the world's deepest libraries of premium film and television content as well as the premium pay television network EPIX, which is available throughout the U.S. via cable, satellite, telco, and digital distributors.  In addition, MGM has investments in numerous other television channels, digital platforms, interactive ventures, and is producing premium short-form content for distribution. For more information, visit www.mgm.com.

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