Ron Howard's Imagine jumps ship from Apple TV+ to Amazon
Ron Howard and Brian Grazer's Imagine Entertainment has switched a first-look deal from Apple TV+ to Amazon Studios.
![Brian Grazer and Ron Howard](https://photos5.appleinsider.com/gallery/53755-108100-imagine-xl.jpg)
Brian Grazer and Ron Howard
Imagine's co-founders Brian Grazer and Ron Howard signed a multi-year deal with Apple in 2021 to produce films for Apple TV+. Apple had also signed a first-look deal that would allow the company to pick up a project before its competitors.
However, Imagine has switched the first-look deal over to Amazon Studios, where it has an action-comedy project in development, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
"Brian, Ron, and I, along with our entire team at Imagine, including Karen Lunder, President of Imagine Features, and Sara Bernstein, President of Imagine Documentaries, couldn't be more excited to have a home at Amazon and continue our shared desire to make tentpole films that inspire, elevate, and entertain audiences," Justin Wilkes, President of Imagine Entertainment, said.
With Amazon as Imagine's new partner, it will give the company first looks at narrative films and documentaries that Imagine plans to produce. The two had previously collaborated on other content, including "Lucy and Desi," "Thirteen Lives," and "Judy Blume Forever."
Imagine had produced content for Apple TV+ such as "Black & Blues: The Colorful Ballad of Louis Armstrong," a documentary about Louis Armstrong.
Read on AppleInsider
![Brian Grazer and Ron Howard](https://photos5.appleinsider.com/gallery/53755-108100-imagine-xl.jpg)
Brian Grazer and Ron Howard
Imagine's co-founders Brian Grazer and Ron Howard signed a multi-year deal with Apple in 2021 to produce films for Apple TV+. Apple had also signed a first-look deal that would allow the company to pick up a project before its competitors.
However, Imagine has switched the first-look deal over to Amazon Studios, where it has an action-comedy project in development, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
"Brian, Ron, and I, along with our entire team at Imagine, including Karen Lunder, President of Imagine Features, and Sara Bernstein, President of Imagine Documentaries, couldn't be more excited to have a home at Amazon and continue our shared desire to make tentpole films that inspire, elevate, and entertain audiences," Justin Wilkes, President of Imagine Entertainment, said.
With Amazon as Imagine's new partner, it will give the company first looks at narrative films and documentaries that Imagine plans to produce. The two had previously collaborated on other content, including "Lucy and Desi," "Thirteen Lives," and "Judy Blume Forever."
Imagine had produced content for Apple TV+ such as "Black & Blues: The Colorful Ballad of Louis Armstrong," a documentary about Louis Armstrong.
Read on AppleInsider
Comments
Maybe the escape clause in the contract between Imagine and Apple wasn't too expensive. Possibly $4 million. Yes, that's million, not billion.
Anyway, you can't argue that at the moment Amazon is by far the bigger player in visual media, so if high-profile and wide availability is the goal then Amazon is the better choice. Apple is still developing its portfolio. Give 'em a few years and if the commitment is still there I expect them to be much more competitive.
I've really enjoyed Jack Reacher, the Boys, Jack Ryan, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and Hand of God, but everyone has their own tastes.
I'm a huge fan of The Grand Tour and the various solo projects of the three principals (Clarkson's Farm, Oh Cook!, etc.) And I can't remember the last time I waited two days for anything from Amazon. I get most things same-day or, at worst, 24 hours. Helps to live in a large metro area. Prime delivers value to me, although we'll see if I feel that way if they keep raising the price.
Meanwhile, the only AppleTV+ show I've been able to stomach past 2 or 3 episodes is Ted Lasso. I made it through the first season then lost interest. Apple's shows are all so milquetoast and sterile. It's like listening to that ridiculous Apple Radio One or whatever they're calling it these days. So over-polished so as to lose any sort of sense of organic appeal. But yes, absolutely: To each their own, and no disrespect to anyone else's preferences. I just can't imagine paying for AppleTV+. Zero value to me.
Apple is spending $Billions on hope and prayer that it pays off. Amazon does the same, but with a longer history of committed investment.
This comment = eye roll