Amazon MGM Studios signs first-look deal with YA author Mercedes Ron

Amazon MGM Studios has taken a further step in its creative partnership with Spain-based Argentinian author Mercedes Ron by signing her to a first-look deal.

Mercedes Ron

Branded House of Ron, the collaboration has already spawned more than 10 adaptations of the bestselling writer’s works. Several have become among Prime Video’s most-watched international original productions, led by the Spanish film trilogy Culpables (Culpa mía, Culpa tuya and Culpa nuestra), which has been watched by more than 100 million viewers worldwide, according to Amazon.

As part of the first-look deal, Ron will serve as executive producer on all adaptations currently underway, as well as future projects arising from the partnership. She will also be able to bring projects from other authors to Amazon MGM Studios for potential screen adaptation.

The agreement was announced last Friday by Nicole Clemens, VP and head of UK and international originals at Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, during a media event in Los Angeles ahead of young-adult fan event Obsessed Fest.

“Bringing Mercedes’ characters to life on Prime Video has been one of the most exciting creative collaborations we have experienced, and this is only the beginning. This September we premiere Enfrentados: Marfil and we can’t wait to share it with fans. Mercedes is already part of the Amazon MGM Studios family, and this deal reflects our commitment to continuing to grow House of Ron,” said Clemens.

The news came during a week in which five of Prime Video’s 10 most-watched original movies worldwide are adaptations of Ron’s works, with the Culpables franchise leading the ranking.

English-language adaptation Your Fault: London

In addition to the three Spanish films, the English-language UK adaptations My Fault: London and Your Fault: London also feature in the top 10.

The House of Ron universe on Prime Video also includes the upcoming Our Fault: London, which has already been filmed; Dímelo bajito (Tell Me Softly), the first film adaptation of the Dímelo trilogy, which premiered last year and whose second and third instalments have already been confirmed; and Enfrentados: Marfil, an adaptation of the Enfrentados duology, which will debut on September 9.

In addition, Amazon MGM Studios’ US team is developing Thirty Sunsets to Fall in Love, based on the Bali saga, which will be the first US adaptation of one of Ron’s works following the success of the English-language UK trilogy based on Culpables.

“Working with the Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios team to bring my stories to the screen has been an incredible collaboration,” said Ron. “I am looking forward to bringing more of my stories to life for readers around the world through this partnership and am very excited to take part as executive producer on the upcoming adaptations.”

According to Amazon, Ron’s books have sold more than six million copies worldwide, been translated into 26 languages and are published in 50 countries.