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Amazon Will Make Original Movies Now

Get ready for Amazon-made movies. Amazon Studios, the same division behind shows like “Transparent,” will “begin to produce and acquire original movies for theatrical release and early window distribution on Amazon Prime Instant Video,” the company said in a statement on Monday.

These films will hit theaters first and then become available on Prime Instant Video between four and eight weeks later. “Our goal is to create close to 12 movies a year with production starting later this year,” Vice President of Amazon Studios Roy Price said. “We hope this program will also benefit filmmakers, who too often struggle to mount fresh and daring stories that deserve an audience.”

Amazon also announced that Ted Hope, who co-founded and ran production company Good Hope, will be the new Head of Production for Amazon Original Movies. Hope’s producing credentials include “Eat Drink Man Woman” and “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.” “Amazon Original Movies will be synonymous with films that amaze, excite, and move our fans, wherever customers watch,” he said in a statement.