Jake Kasdan and Melvin Mar have renewed their contract with 20th Century Fox for another four years, according to various sources. Kasdan and Mar are co-executive producers for the hit ABC sitcom Fresh off the Boat’ and Speechless.
The longtime producing duo has been with Fox TV since 2012. Under their new contract, Kasdan and Mar will develop, produce and direct projects for the network, cable and streaming platforms. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the pairing is currently working on new ABC comedies including Bless This Mess, which will air in April, and Heart of Life, which will star Harry Shum Jr. They are also in production on the Jumanji sequel, after Kasdan directed and Mar co-produced the first movie.
Deadline reports Heart of Life is already in production and will be Mar and Kasdan’s first drama. The show which will air on ABC is based on John Mayer’s song. Ben Queen wrote it and and Anne Fletcher directed it.
Jonnie Davis, 20th Century Fox TV President of Creative Affairs, said that “Jake and Melvin have been a dream team to this studio for years, and keeping them here was a huge priority for Howard [Kurtzman] and me.”
She added that “They are smart, wildly talented guys with spectacular taste and incredible creative instincts. They love big swings and they elevate everything. We wish we could clone them, but the fact is they are both so prolific we don’t need to. We couldn’t be happier they are staying in the family.”
The Hollywood Reporter says Kasdan and Mar are 20th TV’s third overall deal since the studio was sold to Disney as part of Fox’s $71.3 million asset sale.
“For eight years, 20th has been a fantastic and supportive place to work,” Kasdan and Mar said in a joint statement. They are excited to continue their work at 20th “as they begin this next chapter.”
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