Manchester United have agreed a deal that will see a version of the club’s history made into a Crown-style TV drama, with Lionsgate set to produce the series
Manchester United have reportedly struck an agreement that will see elements of the club’s storied past transformed into a television drama. The production – overseen by Lionsgate – is still in its early stages.
However, it will adopt a similar format to Netflix’s The Crown, which dramatises the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. Under the deal, United would receive a guaranteed multi-million-pound payment should the programme be commissioned and subsequently picked up by a streaming platform. Revenue would then be split between the club and Lionsgate.
The American production house is renowned for blockbuster film series, including Twilight, The Hunger Games and John Wick. It has also been behind several sports-themed films, such as Warrior and Draft Day.
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Writer, director and devoted United supporter Jed Mercurio, celebrated for his work on programmes like Line of Duty, has been involved in discussions, reports the Athletic. Discussions around a potential series could cover any era in the club’s history, from the 1958 Munich Air Disaster and the team’s subsequent reconstruction, through to the Sir Alex Ferguson years.
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News of the reported talks emerges after United pulled out of negotiations for an all-access documentary with Amazon Prime, which would have tracked the club throughout this season. That series would have mirrored those already produced by clubs including Arsenal, Manchester City, Tottenham and Sunderland.
United, though, withdrew from discussions following their Europa League final defeat back in May, with then-head coach Ruben Amorim’s concerns about possible interference cited as one of the factors. Amorim was dismissed earlier this month after a fiery press conference following the 1-1 stalemate with Leeds United, where he suggested his frustration with not having full authority at the club.
He has subsequently been succeeded by Michael Carrick, who has accepted the position on a temporary basis until the campaign concludes. Carrick’s tenure began in perfect style with a 2-0 triumph over Manchester City at Old Trafford on Saturday.
United have also held earlier discussions with Disney+ regarding an agreement that would feature a documentary series examining Ferguson’s era at the club. However, a deal amongst all involved parties never materialised.
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