MUMBAI: New Line Cinema has signed a two year, first-look production deal with Samuel L. Jackson. The announcement was made by New Line Production president Toby Emmerich.

“Sam’s career has been highlighted by his success in a variety of genres – it’s clear that he knows what makes movies work. This deal is about tapping into his experience, knowledge and instincts, to make good movies together,” says Emmerich.

Jackson adds, “I have made four movies with New Line so far, and they have all been immensely positive experiences for me. I feel like Toby and (New Line co-CEO and co-chairman) Bob Shaye have allowed me to express my creative vision in the past, and I’m thrilled that we will continue to collaborate more closely on future projects together.”

Jackson most recently starred in New Line’s Snakes on a Plane, which debuted at number one in its 18 August opening weekend. As an actor, he has appeared in more than 100 films and holds the distinction of having his films collectively gross approximately $6 billion at the box office – more than any other actor in the history of filmmaking.

In addition to Snakes on a Plane, he has starred in such recent hits as Coach Carter and George Lucas’ trio of Star Wars prequels, and has lent his voice to the animated box office hit, The Incredibles. Jackson earned Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for his work in Pulp Fiction and received a NAACP Award for his performance in Coach Carter.

Jackson has previously worked as a producer on such films as Eve’s Bayou and Formula 51. He is currently filming the Doug Liman-directed sci-fi thriller Jumper, and also stars in Black Snake Moan, and horror film 1408. In addition, Jackson stars as an Iraqi war veteran in Irwin Winkler’s Home of the Brave and as a former boxing legend in Resurrecting the Champ.

He is also producing and voicing the title character in the upcoming Spike TV animated series Afro Samurai.