Jay Z Signs Film And TV Deal With The Weinstein Company

Jay Z has signed a two year film and television production deal with The Weinstein Company, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The deal gives them first look options to “produce both scripted and unscripted television projects and film projects” with Jay. In the coming weeks, projects already underway from the deal will be announced.

“I’m excited to tell stories from real life prophets, whom through their struggles have changed the world for the better, and others whose stories are filled with fantasy and delight. Harvey and David are visionaries both of whom have done this time and time again. I’m already passionate about what we currently have in the pipeline and I’m looking forward to discovering others,” Jay Z said in a statement.

Co-chair of The Weinstein Company Harvey Weinstein added:

“Jay’s ability to influence entertainment and pop culture has gone well beyond music for many years. He approaches every aspect of his career with both determination and effortlessness, making him one of the leading power players in entertainment history. We already have some exceptional projects in the works and are excited to see what more is to come.”

This news shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone: Jay has quite a few production credits under his belt, which includes the 2014 remake of Annie and Chris Rock‘s Top Five. He also served as executive producer on the soundtrack for Baz Lurhmann‘s The Great Gatsby.

Jay Z is also working on a miniseries about Emmett Till for HBO, alongside Will Smith. Although that news dropped a little before this partnership with The Weinstein Company, it looks like the Emmett Till project is not affiliated with this deal.

Along with this deal it was reported earlier this year that his subscription based music streaming service Tidal, plans to get into the music streaming business by working with movie industry executives and creating original films on the artists signed with the service. But I’ll be interesting to see the projects he creates through his partnership with The Weinstein Company.