Netflix content deal with Ortega
April 10, 2019
By Nik Roseveare
Netflix has entered into a multi-year overall deal with Kenny Ortega – a producer, director, and choreographer best known for the High School Musical franchise.
Ortega has directed and choreographed a number of international hits including the Descendants trilogy, Newsies, and Hocus Pocus, and choreographed a plethora of classic movies including Dirty Dancing, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and Pretty in Pink, among others. Truman Alfaro will serve as Ortega’s development executive.
The first two projects Ortega will direct and produce for Netflix are Auntie Claus (working title), a musical movie, and Julie and the Phantoms, an original series, which he will also executive produce.
Ted Sarandos, CCO of Netflix, commented: “Throughout the course of his career, Kenny Ortega has inspired generations of artists and audiences alike. That he has chosen to make Netflix his creative home to work on both feature films and series is thrilling. We can’t wait to see what he brings to Netflix to delight musical-loving families and audiences around the globe.”
Ortega added: “As a fan of Netflix and their dynamic range of high quality content, I am thrilled to begin a creative relationship with the company. I’m super excited about the projects we already have in development and the shared enthusiasm I feel from the company. l look forward to this new Netflix collaboration with the highest hopes.”