Paramount Pictures and James Mangold sign exclusive deal

Big news from Paramount Pictures: As Deadline magazine reports, the film studio and director James Mangold struck an exclusive deal. Under the agreement, the Oscar-nominated filmmaker will develop, direct and produce several feature film projects for the Skydance-owned studio.

The first major film project of the new partnership is already in the works: "High Side", a drama starring Timothée Chalamet. The film is based on a previously unpublished short story by Jaime Oliveira, who also wrote the screenplay. It centers on a former MotoGP rider whose life story Mangold will bring to the screen.

Josh Greenstein and Dana Goldberg, the new co-chairmen of Paramount Pictures, expressed their enthusiasm for the collaboration:

"James Mangold is one of the most talented filmmakers working today and we could not be more excited to welcome him to the Paramount family, starting with "High Side" and many more collaborations to come."

Mangold himself was also positive:

"I am very excited to begin this collaboration with David, Josh and Dana and everyone at Paramount. The enthusiasm they have demonstrated toward big screen films and the passion with which they have embraced my ideas for future projects is truly thrilling."

The deal is one in a series of high-profile contracts that Greenstein and Goldberg have made a clear statement in Hollywood since taking office. These include an exclusive four-year deal with "Stranger Things" creators Matt and Ross Duffer, a live-action film project based on the successful "Call of Duty" video game series, the purchase of the R-rated comedy script "Bald Eagles" and the establishment of a new genre label under the direction of JD Lifshitz and Raphel Margules.

James Mangold: A look at the master director's best-known films

James Mangold has been one of Hollywood's most versatile and successful filmmakers since the 1990s. Hardly any other director has moved so confidently between genres while always retaining his own signature style. From comic book adaptations and music biographies to gripping racing dramas – Mangold manages to combine big themes with human depth. Below we take a look at the best-known and most influential films of his career.

Cop Land (1997)

Mangold first attracted widespread attention with the crime drama "Cop Land". The film, in which Sylvester Stallone shines as an overweight, underestimated sheriff, is set in a small town full of corrupt police officers. In addition to Stallone, acting greats such as Robert De Niro, Harvey Keitel and Ray Liotta shine. "Cop Land" was a bold move: Mangold showed that he could get not only suspense but also psychological depth out of an all-star cast.

Girl, Interrupted (1999)

His next big success was the drama Girl, "Girl, Interrupted", based on the memoirs of Susanna Kaysen. Winona Ryder plays a young woman who is admitted to a psychiatric clinic in the 1960s. However, the film was made particularly memorable by Angelina Jolie, who won an Oscar for her role as the charismatic and unpredictable patient Lisa. The film proved Mangold's flair for character studies and his ability to lead actors and actresses to top performances.

Walk the Line (2005)

The musical highlight of Mangold's career is undoubtedly "Walk the Line", the biopic about the legendary country singer Johnny Cash. Joaquin Phoenix embodies Cash with impressive intensity, while Reese Witherspoon captured the hearts of the audience in the role of his wife June Carter – and won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her performance. The drama not only tells the story of a musician's career and inner demons, but also of an extraordinary love story. With "Walk the Line", Mangold proved once and for all that he is a master of biographical narrative cinema.

3:10 to Yuma (2007)

With the western remake "3:10 to Yuma", Mangold ventured into a genre that was barely present in the mainstream at the time. Russell Crowe as a charismatic outlaw and Christian Bale as a desperate farmer engage in an intense duel – not only with weapons, but also with words. The film combines classic western motifs with modern staging and breathes new life into the genre.

Logan (2017)

One of the biggest milestones in Mangold's filmography is undoubtedly "Logan". The film represented a radical break with the typical comic book adaptations: dark, brutal, but at the same time deeply human. Hugh Jackman said goodbye to his iconic role as Wolverine after almost two decades, and Patrick Stewart gave a poignant final performance as the aged Professor Xavier. "Logan" was not only a commercial success, but also a critics' favorite – was the first superhero adaptation ever to be nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay at the Oscars.

Ford v Ferrari (2019)

Internationally known as "Ford v Ferrari", this film is dedicated to the legendary competition between Ford and Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966. Matt Damon plays engineer Carroll Shelby, Christian Bale plays driver Ken Miles. The drama combines spectacular racing scenes with a profound story about friendship, passion and the fight against overpowering structures. The film won two Oscars (editing and sound editing) and was also nominated for Best Picture.

Versatility as a trademark

What sets James Mangold apart is his range. While many directors stick to one genre, Mangold has made thrillers, dramas, westerns, biographies and superhero films – each time adding his own signature style. His films are often character studies that focus on personal conflicts, even if they are set in large, action-packed worlds.

With the upcoming project High Side and his signing with Paramount Pictures, one thing is certain: James Mangold will continue to create films that delight both mass audiences and critics.