CBS PAR NETWORK TV SIGNS AN OVERALL DEAL WITH DIRECTOR AND PRODUCER JON TURTELTAUB
Overall Marks Turteltaub's First Television Deal
August 21, 2007, Los Angeles, CA - Jon Turteltaub makes his home at CBS Paramount Network Television with a multi-year overall deal, it was announced today by David Stapf, president of the division. The arrangement calls for Turteltaub to produce, create and develop all television genres under his Junction Entertainment banner, which is run by Karim Zreik and Dan Shotz.
In making the announcement, Stapf said, "Since the early development phase of 'Jericho,' I have been incredibly impressed with Jon and his top lieutenants, Karim and Dan. They are smart, collaborative and have been extremely instrumental in making the show a cult favorite. They had a clear vision of the direction of the show both in look and story. We're fortunate that Jon not only brought his sense of humor but his cinematic style to television. We're thrilled that they are making their home with us as we look forward to another great season of 'Jericho' and working with them on future projects."
"We wanted to make this deal largely to keep working with David Stapf and Nina Tassler. The last couple of years gave us a quick and thorough education in how to produce television... be nice, be honest, and work harder than you've ever worked in your life," stated Tueteltaub.
"I couldn't be more thrilled to continue our relationship with my good friend Jon Turteltaub," said Nina Tassler, President CBS Entertainment. "I pursued projects with him for several years until we finally landed �Jericho' last season and I loved every minute of it. Throughout the entire experience, Jon and his talented team have impressed me with their passion and dedication for producing great television and I can't wait to develop future projects with them."
Last year, Turteltaub made his network television directorial debut with the critically acclaimed "Jericho," for CBS and CBS Paramount. Turteltaub serves as executive producer and also directed several of the first season's episodes.
Karim Zreik and Dan Shotz, who have each been at Junction Entertainment for seven years, will oversee all aspects of series development under the terms of the deal at CBS Paramount Network Television. They currently serve as co-executive producers on "Jericho," and will retain co-executive producer titles on future television projects they develop.
Turteltaub stated, "Without Dan and Karim, there's no company -- it's just me sitting around in my underwear wanting to be in show biz. These guys make things happen. And every person they come in contact with tells me the same thing, Karim and Danny are really fun, really smart, and make great leaders."
Turteltaub is currently in production on "National Treasure: Book of Secrets," starring Nicolas Cage, Helen Mirren, Jon Voight, Ed Harris, Justin Bartha, and Diane Kruger. The film is the sequel to Disney's epic, "National Treasure" which grossed over $350,000,000 in international and domestic boxoffices.
In 1998, Turteltaub directed the seventh episode of the award-winning mini-series "From the Earth to the Moon," which portrayed the camaraderie of the crew of Apollo 12. Turteltaub was nominated by the DGA for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television for his efforts and the series received ten Emmy Awards and the Golden Globe Award for Best Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television.
Turteltaub has had a long and profitable relationship with the Walt Disney Company. Turteltaub's Junction Entertainment has been housed on the Disney lot since 1996 in a non-exclusive, first look deal. His films with the studio include the blockbuster hit "Phenomenon" starring John Travolta, Robert Duvall & Forest Whitaker (which grossed over $100 million domestically); "The Kid" starring Bruce Willis; the Sandra Bullock romantic comedy "While You Were Sleeping;" "Instinct," starring Anthony Hopkins, Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Donald Sutherland; and the surprise comedy, "Cool Runnings," (which was Disney's highest grossing live-action film in 1993); and "3 Ninjas" (Disney's most profitable film of 1992).
|