Tyler Perry Studios and DeVon Franklin (Flamin’ Hot) have partnered with Netflix to produce faith-based films under a multi-picture, multi-year, first-look deal. This deal represents the latest expansion of the creative partnership between Perry and Netflix, through which Perry writes, directs and produces films and series. However, these films are produced by Franklin and Perry in association with Tyler Perry Studios.
The first film under the new partnership will be R&B written by Mike Elliott (Brown sugar) & Cory Tynan (Played). Most recently, the writing duo (Tynan & Elliot) wrote the faith-based romantic comedy relationship goals, for Franklin and Amazon Studios.
R&B is a modern retelling of the story of Ruth and Boaz, one of the Bible’s most famous love stories. It’s set in Tennessee, R&B tells the story of a young woman who escapes the Atlanta music scene to care for an older, widowed woman. She finds the love of her life and the mother she never had.
Perry’s upcoming projects with Netflix include: The Six Triple Eight with an ensemble cast led by Kerry Washington and the recently announced drama series Beauty in black. His previous films with Netflix include: MEA guilt starring Kelly Rowland, which debuted at number 1 in the top 10 English film list, The Blues of a Jazzmana story of forbidden love that had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, A Madea homecomingthe 12th part of the billion-dollar Madea series and the Netflix thriller A fall from grace.
Franklin’s latest production Flamin’ Hot, directed by Eva Longoria, is currently streaming on Hulu. He also produced 2016s Miracles from heaven with Jennifer Garner and Queen Latifah.
“I am thrilled to be working with DeVon on this and future projects,” says Perry. “I think in this polarizing world and at a time when the world seems to be getting colder by the day, we both have the common goal of wanting to spread some good. And there’s no better place than Netflix.”
Franklin added: “Tyler and I have been good friends for over 15 years. So when he called on me to work together on films that can uplift the human spirit, I jumped at the chance and we couldn’t have a better partner than Netflix. “Help us inspire the world.”
Niija Kuykendall, Vice President of Netflix Film, said: “We are excited to expand our relationship with Tyler Perry Studios. Tyler and DeVon have created some of the most inspiring films in the faith space, so they are perfect partners to help us bring more of these stories to our members.”
Perry is repped by WME and Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole. Franklin is repped by WME, Artist Collective and John Meigs at Hansen, Jacobson, Teller, Hoberman, Newman, Warren, Richman, Rush, Kaller, Gellman, Meigs & Fox.
Tynan & Elliot are represented by Ryan Saul and Corey Ackerman at Cartel and Adam Cooper at Jackoway Austen Tyerman Wertheimer Mandelbaum Morris Bernstein Trattner Auerbach Hynick Jaime LeVine Sample & Klein.