Jennifer Aniston, Kristin Hahn set up Echo Films

Washington, April 1 : Jennifer Aniston and producing partner Kristin Hahn have set up a new production company Echo Films, which has a 'first-look' production deal with Universal Pictures.

Most of the projects on Echo Films' books are to be developed as starring roles for Aniston.

The production company has just picked up screen rights to Jane Fallon's British bestseller 'Getting Rid of Matthew,' and Aniston and Hahn will produce with Lynda Obst and Marc Rosen.

Universal and Echo also have tapped the book market to acquire 'The Divorce Party,' a Laura Dave novel that Viking will publish in May, with Gwyn Lurie aboard to pen the script.

The partners of the studio said that Echo's emphasis would be on producing grounded, relatable material.

"We particularly like working from books and real-life stories about distinct characters that embody something relatable and relevant about human nature's double-sided coin of vulnerability and mettle," Variety quoted Hahn, as saying.

Commenting on her new company, Aniston said: "We're drawn to stories about people finding their voice and finding their way because they help us as listeners and viewers do what we feel we're all trying to do, which is making sense of our lives through the stories of others."

"That's why we chose the name Echo, to echo back an idea, a challenge, something that resonates through all of us," she added.

ANI