Taylor Sheridan, 101 Studios Acquire Two Scripts from Andr

Taylor Sheridan and 101 Studios have acquired two movie scripts from Andrew Lauren, the producer behind the acclaimed drama The Brutalist, in a deal that deepens their collaboration with a rising independent film figure. The undisclosed projects will be developed under Sheridan’s banner alongside 101 Studios, the production company that has co-produced his television empire from Yellowstone to Landman.

The acquisition marks the latest expansion of Sheridan’s prolific output, which already spans multiple series and occasional feature films. Neither Sheridan nor 101 Studios have revealed plot details, genre specifics, or a timeline for production, but the deal signals continued appetite for material that fits Sheridan’s signature blend of rugged authenticity, character-driven storytelling, and high-stakes conflict.

Sheridan’s Expanding Portfolio

Sheridan, who has become one of the most powerful creative forces in Hollywood over the past decade, typically writes and directs his own projects, but he has increasingly brought in outside voices for his television slate. The pickup of Lauren’s scripts suggests a willingness to extend that open-door approach to feature films. Sheridan’s last theatrical release, Those Who Wish Me Dead (2021), was followed by a string of TV hits and the streaming film The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, which he produced but did not direct. Acquiring scripts from a producer known for prestige dramas indicates Sheridan may be looking to diversify his cinematic offerings beyond the neo-Western and crime genres he’s famous for.

101 Studios co-founder David Glasser has long emphasized that the company’s partnership with Sheridan is built on identifying projects that fit their brand - “stories rooted in place and character, with a visceral sense of stakes,” as he said in a previous interview. The Lauren scripts, whatever their subject, appear to meet that criteria.

Lauren’s Track Record

Andrew Lauren is best known for producing The Brutalist, Brady Corbet’s architect drama that premiered at Venice and earned strong reviews for its ambitious historical scope. That film, a sprawling story about a Hungarian Holocaust survivor seeking a new life in America, positioned Lauren as a producer drawn to layered, culturally rich narratives. His other credits include the indie thriller The Dinner and the crime drama The Sound of Silence, none of which share obvious DNA with Sheridan’s usual work. The pair-up therefore suggests either a new tone for Sheridan or scripts that can be adapted into his existing style.

Lauren also runs Andrew Lauren Productions, which has focused on international stories and auteur-driven projects. His move into Sheridan’s orbit could represent a strategic pivot toward more commercial, broadly appealing material - while still retaining the thematic weight that distinguishes his recent output.

What the Scripts Might Be

Industry observers will be watching closely for any hints about the subject matter. Sheridan’s own scripts have gravitated toward the American frontier, law enforcement, oil fields, and the modern ranching world. He has also written historical dramas, such as the screenplay for Sicario and Hell or High Water, which earned an Oscar nomination. The two newly acquired Lauren scripts could fit any of those lanes, or they could push Sheridan into completely new terrain.

Because no loglines have been released, speculation centers on whether the projects will be standalone features or possible pilots for future series - Sheridan has famously turned movie ideas into TV shows, as with 1883 and 1923. If the scripts are substantial enough to become theatrical releases, they would give Sheridan a chance to return to cinemas with fresh material after focusing heavily on streaming and cable for the past few years.

101 Studios, for its part, has the financial backing to produce independent films at scale, and the company has already shown willingness to bankroll large-scale productions like Lawmen: Bass Reeves. The deal with Lauren, whose work tends toward medium-budget dramas, suggests a balanced approach - commercial viability paired with artistic credibility.

Implications for Independent Film

The partnership also underscores a broader trend: top-tier producers and showrunners are buying scripts from outside their own pipelines rather than relying solely on in-house development. For Lauren, who built his career outside the studio system, the 101 Studios connection provides a direct route to a massive distribution network. For Sheridan, it’s an injection of fresh creative energy without the risk of going outside his trusted production team.

No further details are expected until the scripts are officially put into development, but the news has already sparked interest among casting agents and financiers who track Sheridan’s moves as a bellwether for the industry. The fact that he chose to pick up two scripts simultaneously - rather than one - signals confidence in Lauren’s ability to deliver material that earns the Sheridan brand.

As of July 29, 2026, the deal is done. What comes next will depend on how quickly the scripts move through development. Given Sheridan’s reputation for rapid production cycles, it would not be surprising to see at least one of these projects enter pre-production before the end of 2027.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter