Neon is moving up in the world (winning Best Picture twice will do that) and has formed its first ever first-look deal with a filmmaker. It’s fitting and perhaps unsurprising that it’s none other than “Longlegs” and “The Monkey” director Osgood Perkins.
As part of his new first-look deal, Perkins has also launched a production banner he’s calling Phobos. Alongside his partner Chris Ferguson, the projects that Perkins and Phobos produce for other filmmakers will be included in the first-look arrangement with Neon, as will any of the movies Perkins himself writes and directs. All the films will be released theatrically in the U.S. by Neon, and Neon will also represent the international sales rights on those titles.
Perkins will continue to work with producer Brian Kavanaugh-Jones of Range.
“Ever hear the one about the filmmaker who madly loves his distributor? No? That’s because i think this might be the very first time it’s happened in our business where even brief phone calls can be rough. Meanwhile here i am with NEON, like: you hang up first, no you hang up first! I couldn’t be happier,” Perkins said in a statement.
As a bonus to celebrate the occasion, Neon is on Wednesday releasing the first look teaser trailer at Perkins’ next film, “Keeper,” which opens in theaters in October. In quintessential Perkins and Neon marketing gimmick fashion, the teaser that will drop on YouTube will be a 66-minute and 6-second long trailer for “Keeper,” and it will drop online at 12:06 p.m. PT.
Perkins’ latest film “The Monkey” had the second-highest opening weekend in Neon’s history (behind only “Longlegs”), bringing in $14 million in its first weekend and to date $68.7 million worldwide. His prior film with Neon, “Longlegs” starring Nicolas Cage and Maika Monroe, was an indie box office smash, earning $127.9 million worldwide.
“There’s only one Osgood Perkins — fearless, deeply imaginative, relentlessly funny and operating on a frequency that’s all his own,” said NEON CEO/Founder Tom Quinn. “His work lingers with you, burrows into your brain as all great art does. With NEON as his creative home, Oz will continue to cook, pushing the boundaries of his ever expanding cinematic universe. We’re thrilled to be along for the ride with Phobos and Osgood Perkins.”
Osgood Perkins began his career as an actor, with his first role as the young Norman Bates in “Psycho II,” and he’s the son of “Psycho” star Anthony Perkins. As a filmmaker, Perkins has written and directed the horror films “The Blackcoat’s Daughter,” “I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House,” and “Gretel & Hansel.”
Up next for Neon, it’s hoping to land yet another Palme d’Or victory at Cannes and has Julia Ducournau’s “Alpha” playing in competition. Other titles upcoming for the indie distributor include “They Follow” from David Robert Mitchell,” “I Love Boosters” from Boots Riley, and “The Wrong Girls” starring Kristen Stewart and Alia Shawkat.
The deal was negotiated by NEON, and CAA, Untitled, and Lichter, Grossman, Nichols, Feldman, Rogal, Shikora & Clark, Inc., on behalf of Perkins.
