Eli Blumenthal

USA TODAY

Amazon and Woody Allen are expanding their relationship.

Fresh off the strong start to their first collaboration, Cafe Society, Amazon is in talks to finance the filmmakers next film to the tune of $25 million according to The Hollywood Reporter.



The news of the expanded deal comes after a strong debut by Cafe Society. While only screened in five theaters this past weekend, the film pulled in close to $360,000 or an average of roughly $72,000 per theater according to Box Office Mojo. Amazon bought the U.S. rights to the film for $15 million in February, partnering with Lionsgate to distribute the film to theaters.

The movie is set for an expanded release this weekend before a wider release on July 29. It will come as an exclusive to the company's Prime video streaming service after its theatrical run ends.

Whereas Cafe Society, which stars Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, Blake Lively and Steve Carell, was purchased by Amazon after it had already been shot, the tech giant is taking on a more active financing role Allen's next, currently untitled film.

The new film is set for release next year and will star Justin Timberlake, Kate Winslet and Juno Temple. The movie will shoot in New York's Coney Island this fall.

The new film marks Amazon's third collaboration with Allen, who is set to release a TV show on the streaming service featuring himself, Miley Cyrus and Elaine May.

Similar to rival Netflix, Amazon has gotten more serious about creating its own content with the Allen deal just the latest example. According to FactorDaily the online giant is reportedly investing $300 million in creating original Prime Video content in India ahead of launching the streaming service in the country later this year. The India investment is part of a larger Amazon play to make India the company's second biggest market after the U.S.

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It has also begun expanding its investments in films, last year releasing the Spike Lee-directed Chi-raq as well as co-distributing June's The Neon Demon in addition to Cafe Society.

Some of the company's executive are even taking a bit of a role in front of the camera too. On Monday it was revealed that CEO Jeff Bezos will have a cameo in Star Trek Beyond which is set to hit theaters this weekend.

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Follow Eli Blumenthal on Twitter @eliblumenthal.