Amazon MGM is doubling down on Jason Momoa as an action-comedy star after 'The Wrecking Crew' proved his streaming muscle earlier this year. The studio sees a winning formula and isn't afraid to pounce when Universal gets cold feet.
Universal didn't just pass — they put the project into turnaround due to 'budgetary priorities,' which is Hollywood code for 'we don't believe in it.' Now Amazon MGM swooped in, but Momoa already dropped out of Sony's Helldivers. Is he taking on too much?
Project landed at Universal in 2022 as an original spec from Matt Mider and Kevin Burrows. The Lilo & Stitch remake produced by Rideback grossed $1 billion — that's why Jonathan Eirich is attached to produce 'Shots! Shots! Shots!'
Amazon MGM making this acquisition signals confidence in Momoa's box office pull, but Universal's hesitation and his packed schedule suggest there may be trouble brewing behind the scenes. Watch whether this actually makes it to production — or joins the graveyard of development deals that never materialized.
Well, well, well. Amazon MGM Studios just made a power move, and I'm here for the drama. The studio announced Monday it has picked up Shots!
Shots! Shots!, an action-comedy starring Jason Momoa that's been bouncing around Hollywood like a pinball. The project was previously at Universal Studios before getting dumped into turnaround — industry speak for 'we're passing, go find someone else.' Sources say shifting budgetary priorities led Universal to rethink their involvement, which opened the door for Amazon MGM to snap it up faster than you can say 'action-comedy gold.' Momoa is currently in talks to star AND produce the feature alongside partner Jeff Fierson.
Jonathan Eirich of Rideback — yes, the same banner behind this year's massive $1 billion grossing live-action Lilo & Stitch remake — is also attached as a producer. The original screenplay comes from scribes Matt Mider and Kevin Burrows, who first landed the project at Universal back in 2022. Details about the actual plot are being kept under wraps, but sources describe it as a 'family-centric adventure' with tones reminiscent of James Cameron's True Lies, Liam Neeson's Taken franchise, and Paramount's recent hit The Lost City.
Here's where things get interesting. Amazon MGM clearly has faith in Momoa's action-comedy chops after his film The Wrecking Crew performed exceptionally well for the company when it debuted earlier this year on streaming. That's exactly why they were willing to take a chance on something Universal didn't want.
But let's pump the brakes for just a moment — remember that Momoa recently dropped out of Sony's Helldivers project, which was due to begin shooting in August. The man is already committed to playing Lobo in DC Studios' Supergirl (opening June 26), starring in Legendary's Street Fighter (hitting theaters October 16), and Dune: Part Three (slated for December 18 release). That's an absolutely packed slate.
The project 'remains in development and is not expected to be Momoa's next feature,' according to the Hollywood Reporter, which should tell you everything about how seriously we should take this timeline. Development hell is real, folks, especially when you're juggling four major franchises simultaneously. Still, Amazon MGM clearly sees dollar signs with Momoa — and after that streaming success with The Wrecking Crew, who can blame them for rolling the dice?
Mider and Burrows will executive produce as will Rideback's Ryan Halprin. All parties are repped by WME and Silver Lake Entertainment.
