Shawn Levy Signs Multi-Year Overall Deal with 20th Television After Netflix Tenure
Director Shawn Levy and his production company, 21 Laps Entertainment, have signed a multi-year overall deal with 20th Television, a division of Disney Television Studios. This move follows the conclusion of his long-standing partnership with Netflix and coincides with the end of the 'Stranger Things' series. Levy will develop and produce series across Disney's various platforms and brands. The decision is influenced by his existing feature film relationships with Disney, including his work on 'Deadpool & Wolverine' and upcoming 'Star Wars' projects. While he is leaving Netflix, he expects to continue collaborating with them on the 'Stranger Things' universe through the Duffer Brothers.
Key points
- Shawn Levy and 21 Laps Entertainment have signed a multi-year overall deal with 20th Television.
- The deal allows Levy to develop and produce series across Disney Entertainment's portfolio of platforms and brands.
- This move follows the conclusion of Levy's long tenure at Netflix and the end of the 'Stranger Things' series.
- Levy maintains an ongoing relationship with Disney in film, having directed 'Deadpool & Wolverine' and 'Star Wars: Starfighter'.
- Levy expressed gratitude to Netflix executives but confirmed he will continue collaborating with them on 'Stranger Things' offshoots.
- 20th Television has recently attracted other top talent, including Quinta Brunson and Sue Naegle, from rival studios.
Background
Levy's departure from Netflix marks a significant shift in his television production base after more than a decade. His previous tenure at Netflix included the massive success of 'Stranger Things,' which is now concluding its main series run, though animated offshoots like 'Stranger Things: Tales From '85' remain active. The move to Disney aligns with his feature film career, where he has directed major franchises for Marvel and Lucasfilm. This transition follows a trend of 20th Television securing high-profile talent from competitors, such as Quinta Brunson from Warner Bros. TV and Sue Naegle from Universal. The archive notes that Netflix continues to secure other major deals, such as Howard Gordon's overall deal, indicating a competitive landscape for top creative talent.
Why it matters
This deal signals a major realignment in the television industry, as a top-tier creator moves from a streaming giant to a traditional studio network. It highlights Disney's aggressive strategy to attract premium talent to its 20th Television division, strengthening its content pipeline across multiple platforms. For Levy, it consolidates his film and TV work under one corporate umbrella, potentially streamlining his creative output. The move also underscores the fluidity of talent in the current market, where creators are increasingly free to shift between major studios and streamers as contracts expire or new opportunities arise.
What to watch
Levy is expected to begin developing new series for 20th Television and Disney's broader portfolio. He will continue his work on 'Star Wars: Starfighter' and the 'Ghost Rider' movie for Marvel. Meanwhile, the Duffer Brothers will continue their collaboration with Levy on 'Stranger Things' offshoots at Netflix. 20th Television will likely leverage Levy's reputation to attract further talent and greenlight new projects, aiming to solidify its position in the competitive TV landscape.
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