Full Breakdown
Amazon MGM Studios Signs First-Look Film Deal with David Heyman's Heyday Films
8/19/2026, 4:06:20 AM
Deal Overview
Amazon MGM Studios announced an exclusive first-look agreement with veteran producer David Heyman’s Heyday Films. Under the pact, Amazon MGM Studios will receive priority consideration for both scripted and unscripted live-action and animated movies that Heyman plans to develop. The arrangement does not cover the upcoming James Bond film directed by Denis Villeneuve, which Heyman is already producing for the studio alongside Amy Pascal.
Heyman's Production Background
Heyman’s three-decade career has been anchored by a long-standing relationship with Warner Bros., where he produced all eight *Harry Potter* films, the three *Fantastic Beasts* entries, Greta Gerwig’s *Barbie* (Academy Award-nominated), *Wonka* starring Timothée Chalamet, and Alfonso Cuarón’s *Gravity*. His television work includes executive producing the forthcoming *Harry Potter* series for HBO Max. Additional film credits span Quentin Tarantino’s *Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood*, Noah Baumbach’s *Marriage Story*, the *Paddington* franchise, Taika Waititi’s *Klara and the Sun* (starring Jenna Ortega and Amy Adams), and Luca Guadagnino’s *Artificial* (starring Andrew Garfield). Heyman is represented by WME and the agency Goodman, Genow, Schenkman, Smelkinson & Christopher.
Implications for Amazon MGM Studios
The deal expands Amazon MGM Studios’ content pipeline beyond its existing collaborations, adding Heyman’s extensive filmography and upcoming projects to its slate. By securing a first-look arrangement, the studio positions itself to compete more directly with legacy studios that have traditionally held Heyman’s output, especially as Warner Bros. navigates corporate uncertainty tied to Paramount’s pending acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.
Upcoming Projects Under the Pact
While the James Bond film remains outside the new agreement, Heyday Films plans to develop several titles for Amazon MGM Studios, including the aforementioned *Klara and the Sun* and *Artificial*. These projects will join Amazon MGM Studios’ broader strategy to diversify its live-action and animated offerings in the coming years.
