The Walking Dead’s Kirkman signs deal with Amazon

Amazon has closed an overall deal with The Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman and a first-look deal with his prodco Skybound Entertainment.

Kirkman and the prodco will develop titles to debut exclusively on Prime Video.

Skybound’s co-presidents of film and television, Bryan and Sean Furst, will oversee the Amazon project slate in conjunction with Kirkman and co-founder David Alpert.

The collaboration comes on the heels of Amazon Studios’ expanded push into science fiction, fantasy and horror programming, and marks Kirkman’s departure from AMC, for which he produces the network’s top arted drama The Walking Dead.

“Robert is a gifted storyteller who shares our passion for elevated genre storytelling that pushes boundaries,” said Sharon Tal Yguado, head of event series at Amazon Studios.

“Robert and the team at Skybound are some of the most innovative and fearless creatives in the business. Together, we plan to explore immersive worlds and bold ideas for Prime Video.”

Kirkman said: “A forward thinking company like Amazon is the perfect home for us. Their new foray into genre fiction has us at peak optimism for what can be accomplished during this unprecedented partnership.

“Sharon Tal Yguado has been an instrumental force in the success of Walking Dead and Outcast from day one. Being able to not only continue that relationship, but also expand it into new territory with the vast resources of Amazon, means great things are ahead for myself, David Alpert, Skybound and fans of awesome entertainment. Look out world, here we come!”

Skybound currently has a number of different film projects in development including properties for its two-year first look deal with Universal.