'Hustle and Flow' Writer/Director Craig Brewer and Producer Stephanie Allain Team for First Look Deal at Paramount

'Hustle and Flow' Writer/Director Craig Brewer and Producer Stephanie Allain Team for First Look Deal at Paramount

LOS ANGELES, July 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Paramount Pictures has entered into a two-year first look deal with the "Hustle and Flow" team of writer/director Craig Brewer and producer Stephanie Allain, it was announced today by Paramount Chairman and CEO Brad Grey.

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"From the moment I first saw HUSTLE & FLOW, I knew that Craig was a filmmaker that I wanted to have a home at Paramount. He is an exciting new talent, and combined with Stephanie's seasoned producing expertise, they make a fantastic team," said Grey. Brewer and Allain's new company, Southern Cross the Dog, will develop projects for both Paramount Pictures and specialty division Paramount Classics.

Brewer and Allain first formed an alliance with Paramount when Paramount won a bidding war at Sundance 2005 to acquire the festival sensation, "Hustle and Flow." The story of a Memphis pimp in a mid-life crisis who attempts to become a successful rapper, "Hustle and Flow" will be released by Paramount Classics July 22.

"I'm thrilled to have found in Craig, an amazing talent, a great friend and filmmaking partner. We want to represent for the common folks who aspire to a higher calling no matter what their circumstance ... usually through creativity, especially music. Brad and Paramount really stepped up on HUSTLE and we are looking forward to a good run where we can be creative and supported," said Allain.

Noted Brewer, "I've found a fantastic producing partner in Stephanie. Our collaboration on Hustle & Flow drove home for me the importance of having her kind of expertise and creative instincts in moviemaking. We have a very unique way of storytelling that will undoubtedly push the envelope and it's good to know we have a home like Paramount that has already embraced that with us."

Commenting on the new company's moniker, SOUTHERN CROSS THE DOG, Allain noted, "We're from the South, where regular folks still live amongst magic. We named our company Southern Cross the Dog -- which is where the Southern Railroad met the Yellow Dog Railroad -- the legendary crossroads, where longing for your best self and creativity meet."

The first project under the production deal is the previously announced "Black Snake Moan," starring Samuel L. Jackson and Christina Ricci. The picture, which will be written, produced and directed by Brewer, and produced by Allain, is the story of a blues guitarist abandoned by his wife who tries to redeem the soul of a girl addicted to sex in a rural town. Production is scheduled to start this fall in Memphis. John Singleton will also produce.

Southern Cross the Dog's production deal will not be limited to pictures that Craig Brewer writes and directs. Brewer and Allain may also develop and produce other projects with outside writers and directors.

Craig Brewer made his feature film directorial debut with the 2000 film "The Poor and the Hungry," which he also wrote, produced, shot and edited. He also wrote and directed a short film, titled "Resolutions of the Complacent Man" in 2003. Allain is currently working as producer on "Something New" from Focus Features starring Sanaa Lathan. She has also served as producer on "Good Boy!" "Biker Boyz," and "40." Before that, she served as Executive Producer on "The Adventures of Elmo," "Muppets from Space," and "Buddy."

About Paramount Pictures

Paramount Pictures is part of the entertainment operations of Viacom Inc., one of the world's largest entertainment and media companies, and a leader in the production, promotion and distribution of entertainment, news, sports, and music.

Contact: Nancy Kirkpatrick

323.956.5824

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CONTACT: Nancy Kirkpatrick of Paramount Pictures, +1-323-956-5824

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