A little over one week after announcing his departure from Columbia Pictures as president of production, the in-demand producer has closed a three-year deal with Universal Pictures.

De Luca will resume his role as producer of Universal’s Fifty Shades Of Grey trilogy after the first episode recently crossed $560m worldwide.

“Mike is one of the most talented producers in Hollywood today,” said Universal Pictures chairman Donna Langley.

“His creative instincts and deep industry relationships will be a terrific complement to our studio. Mike has been an incredible friend and mentor to me for many years and I’m thrilled to have him on the lot with us.” 

“I feel incredibly grateful and honoured to be returning to the Universal family and build on the wonderful production experiences I’ve already enjoyed there,” said De Luca. 

“Donna Langley is not only completely brilliant and inspired in her job but one of the best human beings I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing. She is truly one of my best friends in the world and I am beyond excited to work with her, Peter Cramer, Jeff Kirschenbaum, Josh Goldstine and her whole Universal team on this next phase of our collaborations.”

At Columbia Pictures De Luca oversaw a slate that included the upcoming films Pixels and Grimsby, as well as the Ron Howard film Inferno, the studio’s remake with MGM of The Magnificent Seven, and Paul Feig’s new Ghostbusters

He brought in Passengers with Morten Tyldum directing Chris Pratt and Jennifer Lawrence, as well as The 75 with Yann Demange directing and The Gray Man with Joe and Anthony Russo adapting. 

Prior to that, De Luca had a production deal with Columbia since 2004, during which he produced Captain Phillips and The Social Network, among others.

He served as DreamWorks’ head of production from 2001 to 2004 and before that served seven years as president and COO of New Line Productions.