Paramount and Warner Music Group Strike Major Deal for Music Biopics Featuring Iconic Artists

Paramount has signed a first-look deal with Warner Music Group (WMG), granting the studio access to a catalog of legendary musicians for potential biopics.

The agreement includes artists such as David Bowie, Cher, Phil Collins, the Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, Aretha Franklin, Led Zeppelin, Madonna, Joni Mitchell, and Frank Sinatra, as well as contemporary stars like Charli XCX, Coldplay, Dua Lipa, Bruno Mars, and Cardi B.

Collaborative Development and Production

Under the multi-year deal, Paramount will collaborate with WMG and its production partner Unigram—led by Amanda Ghost and Gregor Cameron—to develop projects in partnership with artists or their estates.

Key Quotes from Industry Leaders

“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.”
Amanda Ghost, Lead Producer

“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.”
Robert Kyncl, CEO of Warner Music Group

Amanda Ghost, a multi-Grammy nominee who has worked with artists like Beyoncé, Shakira, and John Legend, will serve as a lead producer on the biopics. With Unigram, which she co-founded with Cameron in 2015, she has produced projects including Lee Daniels’ 2021 film “The United States vs. Billie Holiday.”

“We’re excited to partner with WMG and their extraordinary artists to create powerful theatrical experiences inspired by generation-defining music and talent.”
Amanda Ghost

Strategic Expansion in Film Production

The deal aligns with Paramount Skydance’s goal to significantly boost its film output, aiming for 30 films released per year following its merger with Warner Bros. Discovery. The merger is expected to be finalized by September.

Paramount Skydance is led by CEO David Ellison and film chiefs Josh Greenstein and Dana Goldberg.

Music Biopics on the Rise

The agreement coincides with a resurgence in the popularity of music biopics, highlighted by the success of Lionsgate/Universal’s “Michael”, which is on track to surpass the genre’s box office record of $906 million set by 2018’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.” The Michael Jackson biopic, directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Jaafar Jackson, is projected to exceed $500 million worldwide by this weekend.

WMG and Unigram are represented by WME in this collaboration.