Bryan Cranstonhad a long and successful history with Sony. That deal, going back to at least the beginning of theBreaking Baddays, was extended after the award-winning show’s run, with Cranston signing on to a first-look deal with Sony Pictures Television back in 2013. That was the same year he founded his own production banner Moonshot Entertainment with his partnerJames Degus. Now, however, the whole creative Cranston package is moving to Warner Bros. TV Group.
THRreports that the new deal marks a big change for Cranston while also being the latest high-profile departure from Sony and its affiliates. A multi-year overall deal will see the Moonshot Entertainment team creating and developing original TV ideas for WB’s many and evolving outlets; those range from the new streaming serviceHBO Max, to premium channel standby HBO itself, as well as Warner Bros. Animation. (More on the animation front in a minute.) The deal includes global distribution from Warner Bros. International TV Distribution, so expect to see more of Cranston ‘round the world.
The big question, however, is whether this deal will affect Cranston’sBreaking Badplans. Happily, it appears that it will not; Cranston will still be free to take on-screen roles in the franchise, including appearances inBetter Call Saulor the feature that reteams him withAaron Paulin some form or another. Netflix has first distribution rights to that flick, followed by AMC.
What’s less clear, however, is Cranston’s future with Sony Crackle’s animated seriesSuperMansion, which the Emmy-winner anchors. We’ll keep an eye on Stoopid Buddy Stoodios, who also produces the stop-motion superhero comedy series, to see what’s going on there. But Cranston will be in good company over at Warner Bros.; he’ll joinJ.J. Abrams,Greg BerlantiandChuck Lorreas some of the main content suppliers to HBO Max.
David Caspe(Happy Endings),Seth RogenandEvan Goldberg(Preacher, Black Monday,) andAdam F. Goldberg(The Goldbergs, Schooled) also recently left the studio for greener pastures. However, Sony TV has signed deals withPhil LordandChris Miller(Spider-Man, The Lego Movie) andAlex GansaandHoward Gordon(Homeland), so it’s not as if they’re putting up the shutters.
Stay tuned for more on both the future ofBreaking BadandSuperMansionas we hear it.
