Auteur leaving Netflix after five years, an exclusive partnership that yielded "Marriage Story"

Noah Baumbach is getting back to work, setting his next film project for theaters and moving his business to Warner Bros.

The Oscar-nominated writer and director has signed a three-year, first-look agreement for features at the Burbank studio, following a long exclusive pact at Netflix. The new deal takes effect in 2027 and Baumbach’s inaugural project will be released by Clockwork, WB’s upstart indie label run by Neon veteran Christian Parkes.

Baumbach — the auteur behind best picture nominee “Marriage Story” and “The Squid and the Whale” — will write, direct and produce the film. Details are being kept under wraps, though sources familiar with the script say it follows two college students in New York City. David Heyman and LuckyChap are producers.

The untitled film will receive a wide theatrical release, something Baumbach has not enjoyed since 2021 when his Netflix era began. His past four films (“The Meyerowitz Stories,” “Marriage Story,” “White Noise” and “Jay Kelly”) all debuted on the streaming service. Warners’ luring of Baumbach is a no-brainer, given his contribution as co-writer on the biggest film in the studio’s history: “Barbie,” which he scripted with partner Greta Gerwig. LuckyChap also has a multi-year first look at WB. Baumbach was born and bred in the art house movie theater. Variety reported in early September that Netflix is dialing up its commitment to meaningful theatrical releases more than ever, and will report box office numbers for the first time ever for six upcoming titles.

Warner Bros. confirmed the deal but provided no additional details on the new Clockwork film. Baumbach is a big get for Clockwork, whose growing slate is still largely a mystery (though it includes Sean Baker’s follow-up to “Anora,” an Italian sex comedy called “Ti Amo!” set to film in January).

Baumbach has been nominated for four Academy Awards, including best original screenplay for “The Squid and the Whale” and best adapted screenplay for “Barbie.” His humanist, acclaimed filmography also includes “While We’re Young,” “Mistress America,” “Frances Ha,” “Greenberg,” “Margot at the Wedding,” “Kicking and Screaming” and the documentary “De Palma.” Baumbach also a co-wrote the Wes Anderson films “Fantastic Mr. Fox” and “The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou.”

Baumbach is repped by CAA, JSSK, and Narrative. Heyman is repped by Carlos Goodman and Eric Brooks of GGSSC. LuckyChap is repped by Entertainment 360, CAA, attorney Jeff Bernstein and Narrative.