Noah Baumbach is shifting his feature-film home to Warner Bros., signing a three-year, first-look agreement with the Burbank studio that will begin in 2027.
The Oscar-nominated writer-director’s first project under the deal is already in place: an untitled film that Baumbach will write, direct and produce, with a wide theatrical release planned through Clockwork, Warner Bros.’ emerging indie label run by Neon veteran Christian Parkes.
Warner Bros. confirmed the agreement but did not provide additional details about the Clockwork title. Plot information is being closely held, though sources familiar with the script say the film follows two college students in New York City. David Heyman and LuckyChap are producing.
The pact marks a major move for Baumbach after a long exclusive arrangement at Netflix. His past four films — “The Meyerowitz Stories,” “Marriage Story,” “White Noise” and “Jay Kelly” — all debuted on the streaming service. The new Warner Bros. project is set for a wide theatrical release, something the filmmaker has not had since 2021, when his Netflix era began.
A theatrical move after Netflix
Baumbach’s move arrives as Netflix’s theatrical strategy has been under renewed attention. Variety reported in early September that the streamer is increasing its commitment to meaningful theatrical releases and will report box office numbers for the first time for six upcoming titles.
For Warner Bros., bringing Baumbach into the fold also extends a relationship tied to one of the studio’s biggest recent success stories. Baumbach co-wrote “Barbie” with partner Greta Gerwig, and the film is described in the source material as the biggest film in Warner Bros. history. LuckyChap, which is producing Baumbach’s new movie, also has a multi-year first-look deal at Warner Bros.
The first Baumbach title under the new agreement will go through Clockwork, a label whose expanding slate remains mostly under wraps. One known title on the label’s docket is Sean Baker’s follow-up to “Anora,” an Italian sex comedy titled “Ti Amo!” that is set to film in January.
Baumbach’s awards history and credits
Baumbach has received four Academy Award nominations. His nominations include best original screenplay for “The Squid and the Whale” and best adapted screenplay for “Barbie.” He is also the filmmaker behind “Marriage Story,” which was a best picture nominee.
His filmography includes “While We’re Young,” “Mistress America,” “Frances Ha,” “Greenberg,” “Margot at the Wedding,” “Kicking and Screaming” and the documentary “De Palma.” Baumbach also co-wrote Wes Anderson’s “Fantastic Mr. Fox” and “The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou.”
Baumbach is represented by CAA, JSSK and Narrative. Heyman is represented by Carlos Goodman and Eric Brooks of GGSSC. LuckyChap is represented by Entertainment 360, CAA, attorney Jeff Bernstein and Narrative.