Tyler Perry Is Winning

Tyler Perry has endured many critics lately including fellow directors Spike Lee and John Singleton, who are not very fond of his work. Although, Perry may be getting slammed for his depiction of African-Americans in film, he has become one of the most bankable black directors in Hollywood, especially among African American women. Over the weekend, Lionsgate announced that they have extended their deal with Tyler Perry, which means even more ‘Madea’ will be coming our way.

Lionsgate said that the new deal will include two additional movies starring his signature character Madea, an outspoken Southern African-American grandmother played by Perry in drag. The Madea movies have been Perry’s most financially successful, particularly 2009′s “Madea Goes to Jail,” which grossed $90 million domestically.

The deal also gives Lionsgate the option to release other movies directed, written by, produced by or starring Perry. It also continues an arrangement through which the studio releases DVDs of his stage plays and other material.

Perry’s low-cost movies have been consistently successful. His most recent release, “For Colored Girls” (an adaptation of a play) that Perry directed but did not appear in, was one of his worst performers, taking in $37.7 million at the box office.

Atlanta-based Perry makes his movies with total creative control and also keeps half of the profits in one of the most filmmaker-friendly deals in Hollywood, according to people familiar with the matter. That’s because he brings Lionsgate a devoted fan base that consistently shows up to see his movies on opening weekend.

The extended arrangement does not include Perry’s television works. He created and executive produces the TV sitcoms “Meet the Browns” and “House of Payne,” which are distributed by Lionsgate subsidiary Debmar-Mercury and air on TBS. “House of Payne” is already in syndication, and “Meet the Browns” will soon follow.” Read More