News > Haggis and Nozik Move Hway61 to United Artists

Written by David Morgan

Writer-director Paul Haggis and his producing partner Michael Nozik have signed a nonexclusive deal with United Artists that will bring their newly-formed production company Hwy61 (after the Bob Dylan song/album) to work for that studio. Haggis is expected to produce two films a year with UA, with some potential writing and directing to boot.

The first thing on the slate, according to The Hollywood Reporter, is Ranger's Apprentice, an adaptation of the children's literature series by John Flanagan. Haggis will write the screenplay with his daughter Alissa and may direct. The Joseph Weisberg novel An Ordinary Spy has also been optioned by Hwy61 in conjunction with UA. As Paula Wagner and Tom Cruise have already ingratiated their studio with the Writers Guild, Haggis can presumably get back to work immediately.

Haggis told THR that he was "hoping to create a home for writers and directors." Or at the very least, himself.