Paramount Pictures has renewed its first-look deal with writer-director Lindsey Beer and her production banner Lab Brew.
In re-upping the deal, the studio has also picked up ‘Afterward,’ a supernatural thriller spec script by Shane and Carey Van Dyke, the duo who co-wrote the 2022 thriller ‘Ambulance.’ Anderson Beer and Lab Brew will produce.
Paramount’s renewal is a vote of confidence in Anderson Beer, who wrote and made her feature directorial debut with the horror movie ‘Hellraiser’ for the studio last year. The movie debuted as the No. 1 title on Paramount+ and quickly broke the streamer’s record for the most-watched Paramount+ original movie within the first 30 days of a film’s release in the U.S.
Anderson Beer broke through by writing the popular Netflix movie ‘Sierra Burgess Is a Loser.’
‘Lindsey is a wonderfully gifted writer, director and producer with sharp instincts and a distinct creative vision, who also happens to be a truly delightful person,’ said Daria Cercek and Mike Ireland, co-presidents of Paramount Pictures Motion Picture Group, in a statement. ‘We’re thrilled to continue making movies together and building on our success.’
Plot details for ‘Afterward’ are being kept, um, in the dark, but the project joins a growing list of Lab Brew titles that the studio is excited to move along with.
There’s the sci-fi thriller ‘The Doorman,’ based on a short story of the same name written by Anderson Beer, with Anderson Beer attached to direct, write and produce. Lashana Lynch is attached to star.
Lab Brew is also developing a feature on the popular toy brand ‘Barbie’ with Anderson Beer attached to write and produce alongside Mattel Films and Temple Hill.
Additional projects on the development slate include ‘The Girl in the Spider’s Web,’ based on the true story of Susan Thunder, one of the first and most infamous hackers in the 1980s; with Anderson Beer attached to write, direct, and produce alongside Todd Garner of Broken Road; and ‘The Seventh Sun,’ based on Matt and Harrison Query’s upcoming book of the same name.
Assisting Anderson Beer with the banner’s growing slate and ambitions are two new hires, Alexandra Bank and Spencer Walken, tapped as Lab Brew vice presidents.
Banks spent the last eight years at WME/Endeavor working on the corporate operational side of the business, overseeing special projects and managing the integration of acquisitions. She also served as an exec producer on ‘Bull’ and was a production associate at Mike Flanagan and Trevor Macy’s Intrepid Pictures.
Walken, who began his career in the motion picture talent department at UTA, is coming from Broken Road Productions,where he worked on Netflix’s ‘Senior Year’ starring Rebel Wilson, family comedy ‘Playing with Fire’ starring John Cena, and New Line Cinema’s recent reboot of ‘Mortal Kombat.’
‘Mike and Daria are true friends and champions to their filmmakers, and I am excited to continue our very special partnership. From the scary and thrilling like ‘Hellraiser,’ to the whimsical and surprising like ‘Sierra Burgess Is a Loser,’ I am extremely proud of the slate we are building together,’ stated Anderson Beer.
She continued, ‘Alexandra and Spencer are invaluable assets as LAB BREW continues to expand and amplify character-driven stories from talented and unique voices.’
