Ryan Coogler, fellow Judas And The Black Messiah producer Zinzi Coogler, writer-producer Sev Ohanian (Searching, Run), Oscar-winning music producer Ludwig Göransson (Black Panther), RCA Records SVP of marketing Archie Davis, and filmmaker Peter Nicks (The Waiting Room) have launched multi-media company Proximity.
Proximity’s first producer credit was on Warner Bros/HBO Max release Judas And The Black Messiah alongside MACRO, Participant Media, and Bron Creative.
The true story of FBI informant William O’Neal (LaKeith Stanfield) and Illinois Black Panthers chairman Fred Hampton (Daniel Kaluuya) is in the running for six Academy Awards, including best picture, and supporting male actor for Stanfield and Bafta, SAG and Golden Globe winner Kaluuya.
The company will look to create event-driven content across film, television, music and podcasts supported by marketing activations and companion projects.
Coogler, whose directing credits include Black Panther and Fruitvale Station, Zinzi Coogler and Ohanian will oversee all Proximity’s operations, with Göransson serving as principal music executive, Davis overseeing marketing, soundtrack and podcast production, and Nicks spearheading the non-fiction division and directing select projects.
Proximity has signed a five-year overall exclusive TV deal with The Walt Disney Company and projects include a Marvel Studios series based in Black Panther’s Kingdom of Wakanda for Disney+.
Upcoming projects include Space Jam: A New Legacy; the film adaptation of graphic novel series Bitter Root; Creed 3 starring and to be directed by Michael B. Jordan; and Wrong Answer, written by Ta Nehisi Coates.
Proximity has partnered with Radiotopia founder Roman Mars (99% Invisible) to produce podcasts that expand the conversation around a film’s production and subject matter. Their first co-production is the Judas And The Black Messiah Podcast, a six-part series produced by Christopher Johnson and hosted by Elvis Mitchell and Chairman Fred Hampton Jr.
“It has been a great joy to form Proximity with some of my closest loved ones and collaborators whose work and commitment to their craft I have long admired,” said Ryan Coogler.
“It is such an honor to be working alongside my partners and friends to launch Proximity,” said Zinzi Coogler. “We’re looking forward to telling meaningful stories that we hope will resonate with audiences across all ages and backgrounds.”
“Nine years ago I co-produced the film Fruitvale Station, and found a lifelong collaborator in Ryan Coogler. So when Ryan asked me to join him and Zinzi in launching Proximity, I was all in,” said Ohanian. “I couldn’t be more proud of what we’ve all accomplished together and can’t wait for all that’s still to come.”
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