Guillermo del Toro may have been a fan favorite director to many for the past couple decades, but with his latest film, The Shape of Water taking home a couple Oscar trophies a few weeks back, it seems that the filmmaker is just hitting his stride. Now, it sounds like he’s just signed a new deal with a studio.

According to Variety, del Toro has just closed an overall deal with Fox Searchlight Pictures. This new contract covers live-action films to be written, produced, and/or directed by him. But that’s not the most exciting part just yet. The studio is also creating a new label, which will be home to horror, sci-fi, and fantasy genres, and given del Toro’s filmography, there’s a good chance it will also be a home to his upcoming films as well.

RELATED – Hideo Kojima Makes Tribute To Guillermo Del Toro’s Oscar Wins

“For the longest time, I’ve hoped to find an environment in which I can distribute, nurture, and produce new voices in smart, inventive genre films and channel my own,” del Toro said in a statement. “In Fox Searchlight, I’ve found a real home for live-action production — a partnership based on hard work, understanding of each other and, above all, faith. After the wonderful experience I had with Fox Searchlight on The Shape of Water, I am honored to have the opportunity to continue the relationship.”

Fox Searchlight Pictures presidents Stephen Gilula and Nancy Utley stated:

“Throughout the process of The Shape of Water coming to life, we have observed first-hand Guillermo at work as a director, a writer, a producer — a creator. We believe in him and the vision for a new Searchlight label and we are eager to embark on this journey with him.”

While nothing is a sure thing, I’d like to think this is an indication that del Toro will continue to play in a smaller, more creative sandbox, with films like The Shape of Water becoming more the norm for him than, say, Pacific Rim.

What do you think of this new deal? Let us know your thoughts down below!

Don’t forget to share this post on your Facebook wall and with your Twitter followers! Just hit the buttons on the top of this page.

SOURCE: Variety