Apocalyptic Drama ‘Earth Abides,’ ‘Gladiators’ Format Among Mipcom Slate From Amazon MGM Studios

Amazon MGM Studios Distribution heads to content market Mipcom, Oct. 21-24, with a lengthy slate of series and films. Series include apocalyptic drama “Earth Abides,” the final season of “The Handmaid’s Tale,” the revitalized “Gladiators” format and the “Are You Smarter Than…” format. “The Accountant 2,” “Mercy” and a sequel to “A Simple Favor” are among the film titles being launched for distribution.

Just over a year ago, the studio launched the distribution division with the goal of licensing Amazon Original films and series, in addition to MGM theatrical films, MGM Television and MGM+ Studios series, and library titles to worldwide buyers.

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For television, Amazon MGM Studios Distribution will bring the limited series “Earth Abides” to market. This new take on George R. Stewart’s sci-fi novel of the same name stars Alexander Ludwig (“Vikings”) and Jessica Frances Dukes (“Ozark”). When a plague of unprecedented virulence sweeps the globe, the human race is all but wiped out. In the aftermath, as civilization slowly and inexorably breaks down, only a few shattered survivors remain to struggle against the slide into extinction.

Additionally, Amazon MGM Studios Distribution will highlight the sixth and final season of “The Handmaid’s Tale,” starring Elisabeth Moss. The final season is in production and is slated to premiere in spring 2025 on Hulu in the U.S.

Also on the studio’s Mipcom slate is the revitalized “Gladiators” format. This format, which sees Gladiators going head-to-head with Contenders in competitions of strength, speed and agility, took the U.K. by storm earlier this year on BBC One with 9.8 million viewers (28-day figure) in its first season. A second season has been ordered. In addition to the U.K. version of the show, Prime Video has ordered “American Gladiators” and TF1 has ordered a French version of the show.

Additionally, the “Are You Smarter Than…” format is also available for distribution. This popular format introduces a new take on the original concept in the upcoming series “Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity?,” hosted by American football star Travis Kelce: a single contestant will rely on a classroom of celebrities from screen and sports to help them answer 11 questions from a range of subjects pulled from the elementary curriculum, in an effort to win a prize. “Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity?” will premiere on Prime Video Oct. 16.

Finally, Amazon MGM Studios is offering “The GOAT,” a format where 14 reality superstars move into GOAT (Greatest of All Time) Manor to face off in a competition show in a battle for cash, and the title of “Greatest of All Time.” The U.S. version of the show, hosted by Daniel Tosh, streamed on Prime Video.

Films being launched for distribution include the comedy “You’re Cordially Invited,” starring Will Ferrell and Reese Witherspoon, slated to premiere on Prime Video on Jan. 30; Shane Black’s crime thriller “Play Dirty,” led by Mark Wahlberg and LaKeith Stanfield; the sequel to the film “A Simple Favor,” with returning cast members Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively and director Paul Feig; and “Levon’s Trade,” an action thriller starring Jason Statham and directed by David Ayer (“Suicide Squad”) from a screenplay adapted by Sylvester Stallone.

Amazon MGM Studios Distribution will also bring “Mercy,” the upcoming sci-fi thriller starring Chris Pratt and Rebecca Ferguson; the film adaptation of Don Winslow’s novella “Crime 101,” starring Chris Hemsworth, Barry Keoghan and Mark Ruffalo and directed by Bart Layton (“American Animals”); “The Accountant 2,” with a cast led by Ben Affleck, Jon Bernthal and J.K. Simmons and directed by Gavin O’Connor (“Warrior”); and the heist comedy “The Pickup,” featuring Eddie Murphy, Pete Davidson, Keke Palmer and Eva Longoria and directed by Tim Story (“The Blackening”).

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