EXCLUSIVE: Chris Long, the veteran producer behind The Beekeeper franchise, has launched Longshot Productions, a new production company with backing from Kevin Shields’s Griffin Capital.
Long’s goal with Longshot will be to produce a slate of films and television series (including unscripted programming) alongside A-list talent, continuing to bolster bold, authentic stories that captivate audiences and push boundaries. Officially, his banner has been around for about two years, though it’s now graduated from a mere financial asset for productions to a full-fledged production company.
Notable upcoming projects for Longshot Productions include Levon Cade, starring Jason Statham, which will be released in theaters by Amazon MGM Studios next year, and the sequel to the studio’s 2024 blockbuster hit The Beekeeper, also starring Statham, which shoots early next year.
Joining Long at his new company as President of Production is Anthony Scott, who formerly worked alongside him at Cedar Park Entertainment, where he served as co-CEO alongside David Ayer for seven years.
Also previously acting as Programming Chief of Audience Network, where he worked for almost two decades, Long’s resume includes scripted comedy, drama, non-scripted, music, sports, and documentary programming. In addition to The Beekeeper, which grossed over $152 million globally at the top of this year, film credits for the producer include Good Mourning — a comedy vehicle for Colson Baker (aka Machine Gun Kelly) — and The Tax Collector. His work on the TV side has spanned series including Mr. Mercedes, Kingdom, You Me Her, Religion of Sports, Loudermilk, and Hit the Road.
“Throughout my career I’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with some of the most talented individuals to develop compelling stories and characters,” said Long in a statement to Deadline. “I’m proud to announce this latest venture as we work to expand our incredible catalog of film and television titles.”
Added Griffin Capital’s founder Shields, “I’m a big believer in the idea that onscreen stories have the ability to positively impact the lives of their viewers. Chris’ talent for pinpointing those projects is unmatched and I’m incredibly proud to play part in Longshot’s vision of bringing top quality entertainment to global audiences for years to come.”
Long is represented by attorney Patrick Knapp.
