Cynthia Erivo Signs First-Look Film Deal With Universal

Cynthia Erivo is popular at Universal Pictures.

The Wicked star and her production company, Edith’s Daughter, have signed a first-look film deal with the studio, Universal announced Wednesday.

No projects were revealed but the pact does build on the relationship the Tony, Grammy and Emmy award-winning actress has built in the several years with the studio and its specialty studio Focus Features. Erivo is starring in Wicked, which is shaping up to open massively this coming weekend and will follow up a year later with Wicked Part Two. She also earned an Oscar nomination for her starring turn in Focus’ biopic Harriet. The actress earned raves for her stage work in The Color Purple in the mid-2010s and made her film debut in the 2019 Steve McQueen thriller Widows.

“Cynthia’s world-class talent is matched only by her unwavering commitment to authenticity, representation, and empathy as a storyteller,” said Universal Pictures president Peter Cramer in a statement. “She has inspired us all throughout the making of Wicked, and we are so honored that she has chosen to partner with Universal to help amplify her mission at Edith’s Daughter.” 

Stated Erivo: “Having spent the last 3 years collaborating with Donna Langley, Peter Cramer and the team at Universal on Wicked, I’ve experienced first-hand the love and fearlessness with which they tell stories and uplift storytellers. I’m absolutely overjoyed to take this next step in our partnership with our first look deal.”

She continued, “This is not just a milestone for my production company, but a testament to the power of storytelling and the importance of diverse voices in film. I can’t wait to bring our visions to life and share them with the world!”

Edith’s Daughter was launched in 2020 with a mission of developing stories that both normalizes and expresses the beauty of people who are often overlooked and underrepresented, an aim that harmonizes with her green-skinned character of Elphaba in the Wicked movie.

The company’s ranks include Solome Williams as executive vp, overseeing all television, film, and unscripted development and production and creative executive Juliet Phillips.

Erivo and Edith’s Daughter have already been busy in the production sphere, though not at Universal. The banner’s inaugural film Drift, starring Erivo and debuted as an official selection at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. It is also developing a remake of the 1979 Bette Midler film The Rose for Searchlight Pictures and the true-life story of Sarah Forbes Bonetta, a 19th Century Nigerian princess “gifted” to Queen Victoria. Benedict Cumberbatch’s SunnyMarch and BCC are also involved with the latter.

On the television side, Edith’s Daughter has the series Raising Wild at Apple, producing alongside Renee Zellweger and her Toluca Pictures.