Guillermo del Toro Makes Fox Searchlight His Studio Home Following ‘The Shape of Water’ Oscar Wins

Fox Searchlight Pictures has signed an overall deal with Academy Award winner Guillermo del Toro, the director who earned the studio 13 Oscar nominations and four wins this year for “The Shape of Water.” This means del Toro will direct, produce, and develop projects exclusively with Fox Searchlight for the foreseeable future. In addition, the studio announced the creation of an as yet unnamed new label which will develop projects in the horror, sci-fi, and fantasy genres.

“For the longest time, I’ve hoped to find an environment in which I can distribute, nurture and produce new voices in smart, inventive genre films and channel my own. In Fox Searchlight, I’ve found a real home for live action production — a partnership based on hard work, understanding of each other and, above all, faith. After the wonderful experience I had with Fox Searchlight on ‘The Shape of Water,’ I am honored to have the opportunity to continue the relationship,” said del Toro.

Del Toro will next produce “Antlers,” to be directed by Scott Cooper (“Hostiles,” “Crazy Heart”). The film is based on a short story by Nick Antoscaa, about an elementary school teacher who takes in a troubled student that harbors a mysterious family secret with deadly consequences.

“Throughout the process of ‘The Shape of Water’ coming to life, we have observed first-hand Guillermo at work as a director, a writer, a producer — a creator. We believe in him and the vision for a new Searchlight label and we are eager to embark on this journey with him,” said Fox Searchlight presidents Nancy Utley and Stephen Gilula.

IndieWire has reached out to Fox Searchlight for further comment.