Yahoo Lifestyle ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ Sequel Rights Nabbed by Swati Shetty and Grant Kessman’s Newly Formed Bridge7
A sequel to Oscar-winning film “Slumdog Millionaire” could soon be in the works at Bridge7, the newly formed production banner from producer Swati Shetty and former CAA agent Grant Kessman. The duo secured film sequel and television rights in a deal struck with the U.K.-based Celador, which produced the original film with Film4.
The 2008 Danny Boyle-directed feature, about a young man from an impoverished background who competes on India’s version of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?,” collected eight Academy Awards including best picture and director, with Dev Patel making his film debut as protagonist Jamal. The movie, which was scored by A.R. Rahman, also won seven BAFTA Awards and four Golden Globes.
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Los Angeles-based Bridge7 launches with a “focus on universal human stories featuring diverse characters and worlds.”
“Some stories stay with us long after the credits roll and ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ is undoubtedly one of them,” Shetty and Kessman said in a statement announcing the pact. “Its narrative is universal, cutting across cultural and geographical lines and it embodies the kind of stories we love — ones that bridge entertainment with profound human experiences. What makes ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ extraordinary is not only its cinematic brilliance — spanning storytelling, music and its remarkable accolades, but also how it brought together talent from across the world to make a global winning team.”
Celador International chairman Paul Smith added: “I am delighted that Swati and Grant have chosen the ‘Slumdog’ sequel to launch their newly formed company. Celador looks forward to working with Bridge7, as the next chapter of Jamal’s journey of discovery unfolds on the screen.”
Shetty brings 25 years of industry experience from Netflix, Imagine Entertainment and Disney. Her producer credits include Netflix rom-com “Wedding Season” and “Umrika,” which took home the audience award at Sundance in 2015.
Kessman spent 20 years at CAA as a TV literary agent before relocating to London, where he worked on series including “Monsieur Spade” and the Gerard Butler-starring “Paris Has Fallen.”
The Bridge7 deal was brokered by Paytre Topp in Los Angeles and Nick Miller of Simon Muirhead Burton in the U.K., with Celador repped by Jessica Hudson and James Kay at Sheridans U.K.
Earlier this month, Tony-winning producer Ken Davenport secured the rights to develop the film into a new musical, but that is separate to the Bridge7 deal, Variety understands.
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