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EXCLUSIVE: LBI Entertainment has signed BAFTA Award-nominated writer, director and producer John Lee Hancock to direct, Deadline has learned.
Best known for his gift for guiding major stars such as Sandra Bullock, Tom Hanks and Michael Keaton to major critical and commercial success in films such as The Blindside, Saving Mr. Banks and The FounderHancock’s titles as a director have collectively grossed nearly $600M worldwide.
A drama written and directed by Hancock, which brought Bullock her first Oscar, The Blind Side adapted Michael Lewis’ 2006 book of the same name, which tells the story of Michael Oher, a homeless youth who rises to NFL glory with the help of a caring family who takes him in as their own self
Led by Hancock The Founder Keaton stars as the ruthless founder of the McDonald’s empire Ray Kroc, while the Disney director’s drama Saving Mr. Banks Tells the story of author PL Travers’ (Emma Thompson) encounters with Walt Disney (Hanks) as she searches to adapt him Mary Poppins books for the screen.
Hancock most recently wrote and directed the Netflix horror-drama Phone of Mr. Harrigan, starring Donald Sutherland and Jaeden Martell, which adapted Stephen King’s novel of the same name. Before that he wrote, directed and produced crime thrillers The Little Thingsstarring Denzel Washington, Rami Malek and Jared Leto, which was simultaneously released in theaters and on Warner Bros. HBO Max amid the Covid pandemic.
Additional credits for the multi-hyphenate include the Netflix crime thriller The Highwaymen, starring Kevin Costner and Woody Harrelson, which he directed and executive produced; the classic Disney baseball drama The Rookie with Dennis Quaid, whom he managed; and Disney’s fantasy pic Snow White and the Huntsmangrossed over $396M worldwide, which he co-wrote.
Also coming up for Hancock is a new AMC series from the Anne Rice Cinematic Universe, which she will write and show. He continues to be represented by CAA, Slate PR and Del Shaw Moonves.