*Lee Daniels is planting his flag at 20th Century Fox Television.
The co-creator of “Empire” has signed a multiyear overall deal with the studio, it was announced Monday.
Under the pact, he’ll remain an executive producer on the smash hit, which he also directs. He will also develop, write, direct and supervise new projects for the studio under his Lee Daniels Entertainment banner.
The studio’s move to lock him down was inevitable, given “Empire’s” tremendous success. It’s the No. 1 scripted series on broadcast of the 2014-15 season and ranks as the highest-rated broadcast drama in seven years.
Added Daniels: “I’m incredibly excited to continue my relationship with Dana and Gary and the rest of the Fox team. I’m looking forward to developing content and finding alternative voices for both in front of and behind the camera.”
Twentieth TV also signed “Empire” showrunner Ilene Chaiken to a rich overall deal in May.
In addition to “Empire,” which went back into production last week, Daniels is also set to helm an untitled Richard Pryor biopic for the Weinstein Company.
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