Slingshot, EuropaCorp in series pact

David Ellender’s fledgling US prodco Slingshot Global Media has entered a series development deal with Luc Besson’s EuropaCorp Television Studios.

David Ellender

The non-exclusive pact will see the companies co-develop and co-finance two projects a year, with a particular focus on straight-to-series TV programmes.

Ellender, former CEO of FremantleMedia International, relocated to the US in February to launch Slingshot, which specialises in drama and comedy.

French film director, writer and producer Besson is known for The Fifth Element and Taken, starring Liam Neeson.

Slingshot has announced two TV projects in development with Hollywood star Keanu Reeves: Rain, in which he will star, and New Angeles, to be directed by Roland Emmerich.

The firm also struck a first-look deal with El Jefe, the LA-based prodco set up by Hemlock Grove trio Brian McGreevy, Lee Shipman and Philip Meyer.

EuropaCorp recently hired veteran TV exec producer Matthew Gross as president of newly launched EuropaCorp Television Studios in the US.