Cynthia Erivo, a famous actress and singer, has signed an important deal with Universal Pictures. This deal, called a “first-look deal,” means that Universal will get the first chance to produce movies created by Erivo’s company, Edith’s Daughter.
Erivo is known for her amazing performances, including her role as Elphaba in Wicked, a movie based on the popular Broadway musical. Part one of Wicked, directed by Jon M. Chu, will be released this Friday, and the second part will come out next year. Erivo also starred as Harriet Tubman in the movie Harriet, which earned her two Oscar nominations: one for acting and another for writing the song “Stand Up.”
Erivo shared her excitement about the new deal, saying:
“Working with Universal on Wicked has shown me how much they care about great stories and the people who tell them. I’m thrilled to continue this partnership with my company, Edith’s Daughter. This is a big step forward for us, and I’m excited to share our stories with the world!”
Cynthia Erivo started her production company, Edith’s Daughter, in 2020. She named it after her mother, Edith. The company focuses on telling stories about people who are often overlooked or not represented enough in movies and TV shows.
Solome Williams is the executive vice president of the company, and she oversees its projects. Juliet Phillips works as the creative executive, helping develop ideas and stories.
Peter Cramer, the president of Universal Pictures, praised Erivo, saying:
“Cynthia is incredibly talented and deeply cares about creating honest and diverse stories. She has inspired us during the making of Wicked, and we are honored to work with her to bring her ideas to life.”
Edith’s Daughter has already made a strong start. The company’s first movie, Drift, was shown at the Sundance Film Festival in 2023 and received great reviews.
The company is also working on several exciting new projects. One is a remake of the 1979 movie The Rose, which originally starred Bette Midler. Another project is a film about Sarah Forbes Bonetta, a Nigerian princess who became part of Queen Victoria’s court. Edith’s Daughter is also creating a TV series called Raising Wild for Apple, in partnership with actress Renée Zellweger.
This new partnership with Universal Pictures is a big step for Cynthia Erivo and her company. It will help bring more diverse and meaningful stories to audiences everywhere.
