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In a story broken by Deadline.com in advance of an official press release being issued, WWE Studios revealed they will move past just producing feature films and begin to work on a slate of television and digital projects going forward.
In the article, Vince McMahon commented, "Given the size of our fan base and their appetite for WWE programming well beyond our core in-ring shows, this is the ideal time to further establish the WWE brand with new genres across platforms. WWE Studios is open for business with this new TV and digital initiative."
The Studio is looking to work with partners on scripted and non-scripted (aka reality) projects as well as family and animated television and digital content, according to the article.
The move towards TV follows the success of Netflix's GLOW series and Starz looking at developing their own pro wrestling-themed drama Heels, the series that WWE champion turned UFC fighter CM Punk tested for a lead role recently before the cable network put the project on hold. With their being interest in such subject fare, it makes sense WWE would want to make sure they are involved by developing or partnering with such projects - and trying to align themselves with projects that are not related to pro wrestling that could also suit the company or one of its talents.
WWE Studios are already one of the Producers of the forthcoming Bill Simmons-backed HBO documentary on the career of the first WWE Hall of Famer, Andre the Giant,which we are told has completed production and, as PWInsider.com broke last month, has already produced "sizzle reels" for two new potential reality series:
The first would be a reality series similar to Total Bellas, but focused on the Miz and Maryse, titled The It Couple. The potential series would focus on their in-ring exploits as well as their personal lives and adventures as a married couple in Hollywood. With the couple expecting their first child, one would think that could be one of the hooks that drive the series as the Hollywood night life is far removed from being first-time parents, We are told the concept for the series is that it would also feature the couple's best friends from real life, including WWE star Dolph Ziggler.
The second discussed series would be something of an amalgamation of the old Tough Enough series, the old Diva Searches and the competition era of the WWE NXT brand. The concept would "seek out" a new female WWE star. We are told the idea that has been passed around would be that the series places its competitors on the road with WWE as they all travel together via tour bus. There would be weekly competitions that would lead to eliminations before one final winner is crowned, earning a WWE contract. WWE has been looking to revive the Diva Search idea for some time.
WWE Studios was launched in 2002 (under the name WWE Films) and over the last 15 years, has produced 49 films (some theatrically released, others straight to DVD) with at least ten more currently forthcoming.
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