Internationalmedia, the company formed from the merger between Intermedia and Pacifica, has finalised a first-look deal with US producer Mark Johnson.

The move, which was expected, comes after Intermedia, Johnson and USA Films reportedly boarded The Code, a WW2 story currently in development. Johnson, who may set up Brad Silberling's Baby's In Black at Intermedia, has credits including Galaxy Quest, Rain Man and Good Morning Vietnam.

Johnson is also understood to be negotiating a long-term deal with Warner Bros, where he has made films including A Perfect World.

Internationalmedia aims to raise its game in Los Angeles after its highly successful float on the Frankfurt Neuer Markt last month and is expected to solidify its existing relationships with other producers such as Sydney Pollack. The operation recently announced that it is raising $25.6m (£17m) through placing an additional 1.2 million shares after achieving a market capitalisation of $1.5bn (£1bn).