Cirque du Soleil is getting into the TV and film business.
The circus group is launching its own entertainment studio and has hired former CBS and WWE exec Susan Levison to run it.
One of Cirque du Soleil Studio’s first projects is a feature film based on O, its water-themed production, with Ridley Scott and his Scott Free banner developing.
The new studio division is designed to produce long-form content based on Cirque du Soleil’s DNA and IP. The company was founded in 1984 and is behind shows such as Mystere, Ka, Corteo, The Beatles Love and Mad Apple.
Levison, who was previously EVP and Head of WWE Studios, having joined from CBS Studios, where she was SVP, Alternative Programming, becomes General Manager, TV & Film.
She will oversee programming across unscripted and scripted television, film, animation and documentaries.
“I’m thrilled to be joining the vibrant and talented team at Cirque du Soleil during such an exciting time of growth and transformation. We intend to leverage our extensive IP library to create TV and Film projects that surprise and delight our audience,” said Levison.
O is its first project to be revealed with Scott developing it as a feature film. The show, which is held at the Bellagio in Las Vegas, takes places above a 1.5M gallon pool of water and includes synchronized swimming in the theater, which is designed resemble a 14th-century European opera house. Cirque Du Soleil Studio will produce with Scott Free Productions.
“We are delighted to be partnering with such a visionary and iconic brand that is Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group,” said Michael Pruss, President of Film Production at Scott Free. “We cannot wait to come together and bring the incredible world of O to the big screen for audiences around the world.”
Article originated in: Deadline
