EXCLUSIVE: Following one of the more unique auctions the industry has seen in some time, Amazon MGM Studios has landed a film and docuseries package on the legendary motorcycle races, The Isle of Man Tourist Trophy Race with two movie stars at the center of it. Sources tell Deadline, Channing Tatum is attached to star in the film, which will be directed by Dog director Reid Carolin who also wrote the script with Jason Keller and Bryan Johnson. The film will be produced by Tatum and Carolin’s Free Association, Brad Pitt’s Plan B and Entertainment 360’s Guymon Casady and Jason Keller.
The corresponding docuseries was filmed during last year’s TT Races with never-before-seen access to the riders and the races due to an exclusive partnership between the producers and the event promoters. The docuseries was produced by the same group, along with preeminent sports documentary producer, Box to Box Films and Mediawan (the leading independent European studio and majority stakeholder of Plan B) with the participation of Entourage Ventures.
While exact plot details around the film are still vague, the scope and great history of this legendary race have all the notes of an epic feature film. Long before Formula 1, World Endurance, and MotoGP, there was the Isle of Man TT. As the world’s oldest continuously running motorsport event, the TT remains a one-of-a-kind spectacle with no substitute and no equal. With riders pushing man and machine to the edge at nearly 200 mph, the TT represents the pinnacle of sporting endeavor and the relentless pursuit of glory.
The never-before-seen docuseries is a 4×45-minute cinematic, character-driven series where riders chase their dreams and embrace life to its fullest. Through intimate moments, the series explore what drives these extreme riders to take such risks. The series looks into the consequences of this commitment, not only for them, but for those around them. It is not just a thrilling adventure experienced through these extraordinary individuals, but a deep dive into what sometimes drives us as human beings.
For most of its century-long history, the Isle of Man TT was an event experienced only by dedicated motorbike enthusiasts who made the pilgrimage to the Island or tuned in via radio. However, the launch of live streaming through the TT’s OTT platform in 2022, TT+, marked a new era, offering full coverage of every qualifying session and race. Combined with an enhanced social media strategy, this shift has spurred greater public interest, with online searches for the event doubling over the past two years.
The film and docuseries represent key pillars in the development of a major franchise set to expand across a 360-degree strategy, building on the success of major IPs developed by the talented creators of the Mediawan group and embraced by audiences worldwide such as Call My Agent, The Count of Monte Cristo or Miraculous.
While the projects were announced lat year along with the news of the docuseries going into production, the packaging of the two has been months in the making given the unique circumstances of bringing two separate things to market with such high-profile talents involved. One project involving a well known event and two stars like Tatum and Pitt could of easily sold somewhere on its own but all parties wanted to make sure whoever took on the package properly handled both projects leading to a thorough auction. In the end, Amazon MGM Studios proved to be the perfect fit given the global reach the studio could give to both the film and docuseries.
Tatum and Carolin have had strong ties going back to when the two launched the Magic Mike franchise that Tatum starred in, Carolin penned and both produced. The film would mark the second film Carolin has directed following the hit MGM feature Dog, which Tatum also starred in and produced.
As for Pitt and Plan B, seem to have a strong feel for racing films these days as the upcoming Warner Bros. and Apple pic F1 bows later this month. Pitt stars in the pic which is already earning strong buzz as it is set around the iconic sport.
Tatum, Carolin and Free Association are represented by CAA, Hansen Jacobson and Relevant. Brad Pitt and Plan B are represented by CAA and Pitt is represented by Brillstein Entertainment Partners. Box To Box Films is repped by CAA. Keller is represented by Entertainment 360.
