Film Producer Will Packer Inks Overall Deal With Universal TV

Feature film producer Will Packer is shifting his focus to the small screen.

The producer behind features including Think Like a Man, Takers and Stop the Yard has inked a two-year overall deal with Universal Television, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. 

Under the pact -- his first overall television deal -- Packer will develop new projects for the studio.

"We are excited to work with Will. We have been impressed by his keen eye on the feature side with several hit movies he's produced," Universal TV's Bela Bajaria said. "We are looking forward to bringing his enthusiasm and expertise into television."

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Packer recently completed production on Universal's Ride Along, starring Ice Cube, Kevin Hart and John Leguizamo. The feature is slated for a Jan. 17 bow. He's currently in postproduction on Screen Gems' About Last Night with Hart, Michael Ealy, Regina Hall and Paula Patton, and No Good Deed with Idris Elba and Taraji P. Henson. He's currently filming Screen Gems' Think Like a Man Too in Las Vegas and will next produce the banner's Wedding Ringers.

Packer is repped by UTA and attorney Matt Johnson at Ziffren Brittenham.

He becomes the latest producer to ink a development deal with NBC's studio sibling, joining Josh Friedman, Happy Endings' Brian Bradley and Steven Cragg as well as 30 Rock's Jack Burditt, among others.

E-mail: Lesley.Goldberg@THR.com
Twitter: @Snoodit

Lesley Goldberg