Feigco Entertainment specializes in developing edgy and commercial comedies with an emphasis on complex female lead characters. Other Feigco Entertainment projects in different stages of development include: a film with Jamie Denbo and Jessica Chaffin based on their characters Beth and Gina from Feig’s recent comedy hit THE HEAT; an untitled comedy written by Broad City creators Ilana Glazer and Abbi Jacobson; and an untitled comedy for a group of ethnically diverse comic actresses that Melissa Stack will write based on an original idea by Feig. Feig is also a producer of the Golden Globe nominated film THE PEANUTS MOVIE, which was released in 2015.
Feig started as an actor and a stand-up comic and made a big Hollywood impact with the 1999 series that he created, FREAKS AND GEEKS, on which he was writer-director-producer and occasional actor. The show was cancelled after only 12 episodes were aired, but it remains a prestige item and was a breakthrough for actors James Franco, Jason Segal and Seth Rogen. Another veteran of the series, producer Judd Apatow, has become a mini-factory, producing three dozen film and TV projects since then.
The Powderkeg venture is being funded by Superbrand LLC, the private entertainment industry investment company run by Adam Bold, co-founder of Grandma’s House Entertainment. CAA oversaw the deal for Powderkeg and will rep it.
“It has long been a goal of mine to create an outlet for new and little-heard voices, both in front of and behind the camera,” Feig said. “Entertainment needs to be fully representative of our entire population, and I am thrilled to have this outlet to help empower and bring exposure to as many distinct and varied new voices as possible.”
Powderkeg will be separate from Feigco’s film deal at 20th Century Fox and TV deal at Lionsgate. That company was created to make edgy, commercial comedies and original tentpoles starring women — which it has done to the tune of $1 billion-plus in box office grosses with the likes of Spy, The Heat, Bridesmaids and
Said Fischer: “Paul has long championed the irrepressible power of women in comedy and his eye for talent is unparalleled. I’m excited to bring Paul’s commitment to empowering diverse voices and their unique brand of comedy to the digital space. Now is the perfect moment in time to explore the surprising, authentic, and hilarious stories that have yet to be told.”
Feig recently wrapped his first thriller, A Simple Favor, which stars Anna Kendrick, Blake Lively and Henry Golding and has a September 14 release date via Lionsgate. Feigco is also producing Netflix’s Someone Great and Freeform’s Girls Code, and exec producing Netflix’s The Joel McHale Show with Joel McHale.
Paul Feig Adds Inclusion Rider in Feigco Entertainment Productions | Variety | Mar 13, 2018
Director-producer Paul Feig has adapted the inclusion rider as part of all the feature film and television productions at his Feigco Entertainment.
The move came a week and a half after Frances McDorrmand sparked interest and support for the term after she concluded her Oscars best actress acceptance speech by saying, “I have two words to leave with you tonight, ladies and gentlemen: inclusion rider.”
“Thrilled to announce that Feigco Entertainment is officially adopting an #inclusionrider for all our film and TV productions moving forward,” Feig wrote Tuesday on Twitter. “Thank you to @Inclusionists and Stacy L. Smith for their guidance and inspiration. We challenge other companies and studios to do the same.”
Backstage at the 90th Academy Awards, McDormand explained an inclusion rider can be added to contracts so that at least 50% of the cast and crew have to be diverse. The topic of diversity and inclusion in Hollywood has gained momentum in recent months and continued following the massive success of Ryan Coogler’s “Black Panther.”
Michael B. Jordan announced on March 7 that he would add the inclusion rider to all projects produced by his company, Outlier Society Productions. Matt Damon and Ben Affleck announced Monday that their Pearl Street company would do the same.
Feig’s credits include “Bridesmaids,” “The Heat,” “Spy” and “Ghostbusters.” He cited Stacy Smith of the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative in his announcement.
Paul Feig Inks First-Look Deal With Lionsgate TV | Deadline | Mar 1, 2018
Lionsgate TV is expanding its relationship with multi-hyphenate Paul Feig, signing Feig to a first-look deal. Under the pact, Feig and his producing partner Jessie Henderson will create scripted and unscripted series and formats for the Lionsgate Television Group through his Feigco Entertainment banner. In addition, Feigco’s Dan Magnante has been promoted to oversee the banner’s television development.
Lionsgate’s relationship with Feig in the TV business already includes the unscripted half-hour comedy series The Joel McHale Show with Joel McHale, which Feig executive produces alongside McHale, K.P. Anderson, and Henderson. The show, which takes an absurdist look at pop culture, generated buzz in its Netflix global launch last month.
“Paul Feig is one of the most prolific and versatile talents in film and television today, and we’re thrilled to continue growing our multifaceted relationship with him across our scripted television business,” said Lionsgate Executive Vice President and Head of Worldwide Scripted Television Chris Selak. “Paul epitomizes the ‘premium’ in premium talent, and our collaborative, cross-divisional approach allows us to tap his creative brilliance across an ever-expanding array of platforms.”
“We’re incredibly fortunate to have a world-class talent of Paul’s caliber as part of our creative family,” said Lionsgate Executive Vice President of Alternative Programming Jennifer O’Connell. “There are few creative voices who could have an impact in so many different parts of our business. Our relationship with Paul has already resulted in the global launch of The Joel McHale Show with Joel McHale, and we’re excited about working with him and Jessie on additional nonfiction projects as we continue to ramp up our premium unscripted slate.”
A three-time Emmy-nominated writer/director and DGA Award winner, Feig created the critically praised Freaks and Geeks and served as director and co-executive producer of The Office. His praised series Other Space marked his return to television in 2015.
Feig has directed a string of critically-acclaimed blockbusters including female star-driven comedies Bridesmaids, Spy, Ghostbusters, and The Heat. His films have grossed over a billion dollars at the worldwide box office, and he is currently in post-production on Lionsgate’s thriller A Simple Favor, starring Blake Lively, Anna Kendrick and Henry Golding, to be released on September 14.
“I’m delighted to have this opportunity to continue expanding my collaboration with the Lionsgate Television Group,” said Feig. “I’ve worked with Kevin [Beggs] and his amazingly talented team since the days of Nurse Jackie, and Lionsgate has proven itself time and again to be a home for bold creative vision and ground-breaking original content. I can hardly wait for this next exciting chapter in our partnership.”
Feig is repped by CAA and Sloane Offer Weber and Dern.
The deal was negotiated for Lionsgate by Executive Vice President of Television Business Affairs Dan Hadl.