Some stories take decades to reach the screen, while others seem almost impossible to film in the first place. A major movie adapting a 17th-century Christian poem has now found a release date, putting one of literature’s most ambitious tales on the path to theaters. At the same time, an AI-oriented production outfit has struck a major deal that could change how its upcoming slate reaches audiences.

And this is not just another release announcement, because the movie in question has a story big enough to span heaven, hell, rebellion, and the fate of humanity.

Ex Machina Studios has struck an exclusive North American theatrical distribution agreement with Mayfair Media Group, giving its slate access to major markets including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Toronto, Atlanta, Miami, and San Francisco. Mayfair is expected to deliver 1,500+ screen releases through Galaxy Theatres and other chains. Even Mayfair’s Frank Rimkus expressed excitement over the partnership, highlighting Ex Machina’s fresh and innovative approach to filmmaking. The first titles are Roger Avary’s Paradise Lost, set for Easter 2027, and Alex Proyas’ Heaven, targeting summer 2027, with both currently in casting and expected to enter production soon.

“We’re excited to partner with Ex Machina Studios as they bring a fresh and innovative approach to the art of filmmaking,” Mayfair’s Frank Rimkus told Deadline.

Continuing the revelation to Deadline, Ex Machina said the pact marks the first theatrical pipeline deal of its kind for an AI-oriented producer-studio, with four projects planned for 2027 before the company scales to approximately six films annually. Beyond its own slate, the studio also plans to pursue select third-party acquisitions and service agreements as it expands its theatrical distribution platform. Ex Machina CEO Marco Weber sees the move as another step toward using rapidly evolving technology to help filmmakers realize original IP without traditional budget restrictions or green-light committees.

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But the technology may be only half the story, because the first major film riding this new theatrical pipeline has been waiting a very long time to wage its war between heaven and hell.

Roger Avary’s Paradise Lost is based on John Milton’s 1667 poem and brings one of literature’s most sweeping religious epics to the big screen. The story follows Lucifer as he rebels against God, is cast into Hell, and rises as Satan, eventually turning his vengeance toward humanity’s first parents, Adam and Eve, in the Garden of Eden. The project has previously been developed with other studios but struggled to move into production because of the financial demands of creating its enormous celestial and biblical worlds.

Avary, the writer behind Pulp Fiction, is directing the project, with Weber producing and veteran production designer Kirk Petruccelli executive-producing. Meanwhile, Mayfair’s team includes Frank Rimkus, who also serves as chairman of the Board of the National Association of Theatre Owners of California/Nevada, Rafe Cohen, veteran marketing executive John Hegeman, and Scott Kennedy, founder of Falling Forward Films. Hegeman called Ex Machina’s upcoming lineup “an amazing and diverse slate of epic theatrical adventures” and said audiences could be “blown away” by what they see.

With Paradise Lost finally heading toward theaters and Ex Machina building a six-films-a-year pipeline, the studio is betting that AI can reshape how ambitious independent movies are made and released

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Will Paradise Lost prove that AI can help bring Hollywood’s most difficult stories to life? Let us know in the comments.