Independent US film, TV and digital company Media Rights Capital (MRC) has signed a five-year deal with Universal for the studio to distribute 20 MRC films in the US starting next year.

The two companies may also partner for worldwide releases, though the joint venture will not prevent MRC from pre-selling films domestically and on a worldwide basis.

Universal and MRC have previously collaborated on Sacha Baron Cohen’s Bruno and are set to release The Adjustment Bureau, starring Matt Damon, and M Night Shyamalan horror thriller Devil. Universal released Ricky Gervais’ Invention of Lying for MRC internationally and recently acquired the company’s Seth MacFarlane CG comedy Ted.

“MRC has always had the ability to greenlight and fully finance our films. With this deal, we now have another powerful tool for our artist partners, providing them with automatic access to the marketing and distribution expertise of a major studio,” said MRC co-CEO Modi Wiczyk in a statement.

Universal Pictures chairman Adam Fogelson added: “We’ve been continually impressed with the quality of talent that MRC brings to the table. By leveraging our strong marketing and distribution operations we can augment our own slate and expand our relationship with MRC, bringing more value to Universal.”

Universal will continue to produce and distribute the same amount of films each year.

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