Nick Cannon, who lends his voice to “Monster House,” has signed a deal to develop, produce and appear in projects at MTV.
Under the first-look production deal with the lifestyle programming channel, Cannon said he is developing a sketch comedy and music reality series in addition to his sketch comedy/improv series “Nick Cannon Presents Wild ‘N Out,” which returns for a third season Thursday.
“It’s kind of cool for MTV to trust me with a discretionary fund to go out and buy projects,” Cannon said. “For them to actually see me as someone who can create and put product on the network is really great.”
MTV announced a similar deal with Sean “Diddy” Combs and his Bad Boy Entertainment in March 2005. Like Cannon’s pact, that first-look production agreement called for Combs to serve as executive producer for TV projects.
In addition to his TV deal, Cannon also signed a producing pact with MTV Films through which the Paramount-based label has committed to purchase scripts and pitches with Cannon attached as a producer.
“The film component of the deal gives me an opportunity to write and produce films (as possible starring vehicles),” said Cannon, who has penned several screenplays including “Extra Protection,” which sold to Universal Pictures for six figures last year with
Will Smith’s Overbrook Entertainment producing.”Now I have a home to get my views out. It gives me a chance to be a part of projects they already have but also bring my own ideas to the table.”
On the TV front, Cannon said he is looking to develop talent-driven content, particularly music- and comedy-themed.
“I know they are looking to do a lot more things with comedy, and I think I can help bring that across,” said Cannon, who executive produced “The Underclassman” for Miramax films as well as “Wild ‘N Out.”
Cannon, who starred in 2002’s box office hit “Drumline,” next appears in the indie crime drama “Weapons” and Emilio Estevez‘ RFK biopic “Bobby.”
Reuters/Billboard
