Universal Cable Productions is adding to its roster.
Chris Bender, J.C. Spink and Jake Weiner‘s management/production company Benderspink (The Hangover, We’re the Millers, The Ring) has inked a first-look deal with the NBCUniversal-owned studio, it was announced Wednesday.
They will be charged with developing and producing scripted programming with UCP for NBCUniversal and outside networks, relying on Bender, Spink and Weiner’s feature-film successes in comedy and sci-fi.
Benderspink’s first project under the pact is an adaptation of the Kickstarter-funded Five Ghosts comic book written by Frank Barbiere and Chris Mooneyham, currently in development at Syfy. Five Ghosts is described as a stylish, pulpy adventure that centers on a 1930s-era treasure hunter possessed by five literary ghosts (Merlin, Robin Hood, Sherlock Holmes, Musashi and Dracula) whose abilities he can draw on. Evan Daugherty (Snow White and the Huntsman), Benderspink, Jake Wagner, Matt Pizzolo and Brett Gurewitz are attached to produce.
“Benderspink has not only great comedic taste, but also a keen eye for the kind of genre that audiences crave,” said Dawn Olmstead, executive vp development at UCP. “We’re excited to bring their vision to life and have a laugh while rolling up our sleeves.”
“We’ve been anxious to build our television business and form the kind of successful partnership we have in features with New Line Cinema,” said Bender, co-founder of Benderspink. “We really clicked with the gang at UCP and their sensibility and are excited to have the opportunity to make great television together.”
UCP’s roster also includes Gale Anne Hurd‘s Valhalla Entertainment, Doug Liman‘s Hypnotic, Jessica Biel’s Iron Ocean Films and Steve Carell’s Carousel Television.
Email: Philiana.Ng@THR.com
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