Jon M. Chu has reached a three-year first-look producing agreement with Paramount, in a move that will see his Electric Somewhere banner create both films and television content for the entertainment giant. Beginning January 2, 2026, this Jon M. Chu Paramount deal puts the acclaimed director in close partnership with key Paramount Pictures executives as the studio continues its push for greater relevance in Hollywood.
Paramount Secures Jon M. Chu in New Partnership
Previously, Jon M. Chu maintained a deal with Warner Bros. Discovery, where his creative efforts have included co-directing an animated feature based on Dr. Seuss’s “Oh the Places You’ll Go” for Warner Bros. Pictures Animation. He is also actively developing a stage adaptation of “Crazy Rich Asians” in collaboration with Warner Bros Theatre Ventures. With the transition to Paramount, Chu’s Electric Somewhere banner will work alongside industry leaders such as Co-Chairs Dana Goldberg and Josh Greenstein, Motion Picture Group President Don Granger, and Paramount Television Studios President Matt Thunell.
Strategic Moves by Paramount’s New Ownership
This agreement aligns with Paramount’s broader efforts under the new stewardship of Skydance Media. Ellison’s vigorous strategy, including his intention to revive Paramount’s status in the film world and ambitions to accelerate annual film output, serves as the backdrop for this latest partnership. Paramount’s leadership team has made clear commitments to increase production, aiming to approach the output of rival studios, with a targeted goal to reach fifteen films by the upcoming year and ultimately twenty films annually.
Paramount’s deal with Chu follows other high-profile first-look agreements, having recently secured collaborations with talents such as Will Smith, the Duffer Brothers, and director James Mangold. In the period prior to its merger, the studio also signed agreements with Damien Chazelle, known for “Babylon,” and Parker Finn, director of “Smile.” These moves signal Paramount’s ongoing strategy to assemble prominent creative voices as it seeks to bolster its content slate.
Recent Achievements and Ongoing Projects
Jon M. Chu’s directing credentials remain firmly in the spotlight, as Universal’s “Wicked: For Good,” under his direction, has performed exceptionally at the box office, collecting $93 million during its second weekend across the Thanksgiving holiday and amassing close to $400 million globally to date. Chu is represented by Artists First, United Talent Agency (UTA), Allison Binder, Esq of GGSSC, and ID, reinforcing his standing in Hollywood collaborations.
As the Jon M. Chu Paramount deal takes effect in 2026, the industry will be watching how this partnership contributes to Paramount’s resurgence, how Electric Somewhere’s projects are integrated into the studio’s evolving lineup, and what the combined creative efforts will mean for audiences in the coming years.
