Paramount Pictures and Warner Music Group have closed a multi-year, first-look deal that will see both companies partnering on theatrical films, drawing on the lives and music of WMG’s roster of artists and songwriters.

Warner Music Group catalog is rich including such top-selling and award-winning performers such as Frank Sinatra, Cher, The Eagles, David Bowie, Phil Collins, Fleetwood Mac, Madonna, Dua Lipa, Cold Play, Charli XCX, Joni Mitchell, Cardi B, Led Zeppelin and Bruno Mars.

Warner Music Group and its production partner, Unigram, led by Amanda Ghost and Gregor Cameron, will work with Paramount to develop each project in collaboration with the artists and songwriters or their estates. At the moment, there are no projects in early development based on specific artists. While the announcement of the pact comes in the wake of Lionsgate and Universal’s half billion global grossing success with Michael Jackson biopic, Michael, Paramount has made its mark in recent years with performing artists biopics such as 2019’s Rocketman about Elton John which grossed over $195M WW and won an original song Oscar, as well as 2024’s Bob Marley: One Love which minted close to $181M WW.

Robert Kyncl, CEO of Warner Music Group, said, “This collaboration with Paramount unites two forward-looking and innovative companies, and together we’re taking a fresh approach to the space. Every artist deserves to tell the stories behind their life and music in their own creative way, and we’re excited to partner with our incredible talent and world-class filmmakers to bring these stories to the big screen, growing their audiences around the world.”

Josh Greenstein and Dana Goldberg, Co-Chairs of Paramount Pictures, added, “We’re excited to partner with WMG and their extraordinary artists to create powerful theatrical experiences inspired by generation-defining music and talent.”

Unigram co-founder Amanda Ghost added, “This unprecedented collaboration provides Warner Music artist and songwriters with the incredible opportunity to bring their stories, sounds, and repertoire to scripted features and animated films. This partnership finds new ways to empower iconic artists and to bring their creative worlds to the screen with music as a central character.” 

WMG and Unigram are represented by WME.

WMG’s Recorded Music division includes labels such as 10K Projects, 300 Entertainment, Asylum, Atlantic, Big Beat, EastWest, Elektra, Erato, Fueled By Ramen, Nonesuch, Parlophone, Reprise, Rhino, Roadrunner, Sire, Spinnin’, Warner Records, Warner Classics, and Warner Records Nashville.