Julian Cross Signs Three-Picture Deal with Monarch Studios

Director Julian Cross has signed a three-picture deal with Monarch Studios, the companies confirmed Thursday morning. The agreement will see Cross develop and direct a trilogy of psychological thrillers based on an original concept he has been developing privately for the past two years.

Financial terms were not disclosed, but sources familiar with the negotiations describe the deal as one of the largest directing commitments Monarch has made since the studio’s restructuring in 2024 under CEO Vivian Lau.

Cross, whose critically lauded Hollow Ground earned four major nominations at last year’s awards season and grossed over three hundred million dollars worldwide, has been the subject of intense courtship from multiple studios. His ability to deliver prestige-caliber filmmaking with genuine commercial appeal — a combination that has grown increasingly rare — made him one of the most sought-after directors in the industry.

“Julian represents exactly the kind of filmmaker we want to build long-term relationships with,” said Monarch’s head of production, Conrad Ellis, in a statement. “His vision for this trilogy is unlike anything we’ve seen — psychologically complex, visually ambitious, and deeply commercial.”

Cross himself offered characteristically little in the way of detail. “I’ve been carrying these stories around for a long time,” he said. “Monarch understood them immediately. That’s all that matters.”

The first installment is expected to begin principal photography in early 2027, with a targeted release window in the fourth quarter of that year. Casting announcements are anticipated in the coming weeks, with industry insiders speculating that several A-list names are already circling lead roles.

The deal further cements Monarch’s aggressive push into director-driven franchise filmmaking, a strategy that has set it apart from competitors still reliant on existing intellectual property. For Cross, it represents a rare opportunity to build a sustained narrative across multiple films — a format typically reserved for franchise directors working within established universes rather than original material.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.