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Ridley Scott signs first look deal with Apple TV+, the director behind Apple’s iconic ‘1984’ TV ad

The production company of famous director Ridley Scott has signed a first look deal with Apple TV+, reports Variety.

Scott’s portfolio includes blockbuster films like Top Gun and The Martian, and series like Amazon’s Man in the High Castle, but Apple and Scott’s relationship actually dates back decades. Ridley Scott directed the iconic 1984 ad campaign, that Apple used to launch the original Macintosh.

The deal means that Scott Free Productions will work on new television shows and pitch projects to Apple first. Apple can then order the project to series at Apple TV+, or pass it off for the show to be pitched to other networks and streaming services.

The production house has earned several handfuls of awards in its 25 year existence. Scott already has upcoming series for Disney+ and HBO Max. Expect to hear the first announcements abouts Scott’s projects for Apple over the coming months.

Apple’s original content arm has slowly built up content deals with many key players in Hollywood, including Alfonso Cuaron, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Lee Eisenberg, Oprah Winfrey, Alena Smith, Kerry Ehrin, and more. These partnerships will help expands its content library of Apple TV+ originals over the next few years.

As the only major streaming service without a licensed back catalog, it is crucial that Apple makes many of these deals to increase the total number of new titles arriving on the Apple TV+ service. Like its existing lineup, the shows and films in development will be exclusive to Apple TV+, and available worldwide.

Yesterday, Variety also reported that Sofia Coppola is developing her first TV series, an adaption of the fictional tale ‘The Custom of the Country’. Apple TV+ already owns the rights to Coppola’s newest film, entitled ‘On The Rocks’ and was originally set to debut in spring 2020. However, Apple is yet to officially announce a release date for the film.

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Avatar for Benjamin Mayo Benjamin Mayo

Benjamin develops iOS apps professionally and covers Apple news and rumors for 9to5Mac. Listen to Benjamin, every week, on the Happy Hour podcast. Check out his personal blog. Message Benjamin over email or Twitter.