FremantleMedia Reaches First-Look Deal with Wilmer Valderrama

BURBANK, May 1: FremantleMedia North America (FMNA) has inked a first-look deal with Wilmer Valderrama—who starred on the hit series That 70’s Show—and his company WV Enterprises (WVE), to develop and launch future scripted and unscripted projects on a global scale.

Valderrama, who will serve as executive producer and may star in certain projects, will set up offices in FMNA’s corporate headquarters in Burbank, California, along with producing partner Danny Villa. Prior to joining WVE, Villa had served as the director of talent and series development at MTV.

“We’re very pleased to be working with the talented tour de force better known as Wilmer Valderrama,” said Cecile Frot-Coutaz, the CEO of FMNA. “He and Danny are very gifted producers with a keen sensibility for entertaining content that appeals to their generation. We look forward to creating great projects together.”

Best known for his role as Fez on the hit series That 70’s Show, Valderrama most recently starred opposite Ethan Hawke and Patricia Arquette in Fox Searchlight’s Fast Food Nation, which was directed by Richard Linklater. He is also the creator, producer and host of the MTV show, Yo Momma, now in its third season. Additionally, he is currently starring as the voice of Latino hero Manny Garcia in Handy Manny, an animated series on the Disney Channel. Valderrama will also play the role of Ponch in the feature film version of the classic television series CHiPs for Warner Bros. His production company, WV Enterprises, is currently developing PartyBuddys with Universal Pictures, based on the life stories of James King and Jason Roefaro, who founded the New York company of the same name.

“I’m thrilled to partner up with such a groundbreaking company as FremantleMedia, and to share ideas for new and original concepts that promise to be influential for not only youth but for all demographics around the world,” said Valderrama.