Amazon MGM has signed a first-look deal with Mercedes Ron, doubling down on an already hugely successful partnership with the bestselling author behind some of the biggest global hits on Prime Video.
A Wattpad breakout, Ron is the writer of the “Culpables” trilogy of YA romantic fiction books, the Spanish-language movie adaptations of which have been watched by more than 100 million viewers worldwide. The franchise was soon adapted into English with “My Fault: London” and “Your Fault: London” (the third, “Our Fault: London” has just wrapped).
The announcement comes during a week in which half of Prime Video’s Top 10 most-watched Prime Original films worldwide are adaptations of Ron’s works, with the “Culpables” franchise sweeping the chart.
Amazon MGM Studios’ expanding relationship with Ron now spans multiple book series and a YA romance universe dubbed the “House of Ron.” The “Dímelo” trilogy’s first film adaptation, “Tell Me Softly” (Dimelo bajito), launched on Prime Video last year, with the second and third installments committed to. Next to launch will be “Drawn Together” (Marfil’s duology), on Sep. 9., while the U.S. Amazon MGM Studios team is developing “30 Sunsets to Fall in Love” (30 sunsets para enamorarte), from the “Bali” series, marking the first U.S. adaptation of Ron’s work after the success of the English UK “My Fault” trilogy adaptation. As part of the first-look deal, Ron will be executive producing all the above and future adaptations. It provides Ron with the opportunity to bring IP by other authors to the attention of Amazon MGM Studios for possible adaptation.
The first-look deal was announced by Nicole Clemens, VP and head of U.K. and international originals, Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, at an event held today in Los Angeles. Clemens was speaking ahead of Obsessed Fest, an immersive, all-day fan experience bringing audiences face-to-face with the stars, creators and worlds behind Prime Video’s most popular young adult titles, including “Your Fault: London. Ron will appear at the event tomorrow, as well as “Your Fault: London” stars Asha Banks and Matthew Broome.
“Mercedes Ron is an extraordinary talent whose stories have captured the hearts and imaginations of fans around the world,” said Clemens/ “Bringing Mercedes’ characters to life on Prime Video has been one of the most thrilling creative partnerships we’ve had, and we’re just getting started. We have ‘Drawn Together’ coming up this September and we cannot wait to share it with fans. Mercedes is already part of the Amazon MGM Studios family — this represents our continued commitment to expanding the ‘House of Ron.’”
Added Ron: “Working with the Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios family to bring my stories to the screen has been an incredible partnership. I look forward to bringing more of my stories to life for readers around the world through this continued collaboration and am thrilled to serve as an executive producer on upcoming adaptions.”
Ron’s books have sold over 6 million copies worldwide and have been translated into 26 languages and released in 50 countries. Her upcoming novel, “Drawn Together,” the first in the Marfil duology, will be published on Aug. 4. Ron is represented by WME and Johanna Castillo and Tom Ishizuka at Writers House Literary Agency.
