Tag: FilmDistrict

Enter To Win A DRIVE Prize Pack

Breakout Danish director Nicolas Winding Refn (THE PUSHER Trilogy, BRONSON, VALHALLA RISING) throttles into the Hollywood fast lane with precision-crafted action caper DRIVE. In honor of TODAY‘s release of his new film, WAMG has a special contest up for grabs where you can enter to win a DRIVE prize pack. It will consist of a pair of driving gloves, book, 2Gig flash “drive” and a few other cool items!

Check out this exciting clip below and then answer the following question afterwards.

OFFICIAL RULES:

1. FILL OUT YOUR NAME AND E-MAIL ADDRESS BELOW. REAL FIRST NAME REQUIRED.

2. ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTION: What color and kind of car does police dispatch say that Ryan Gosling is driving?

WINNERS WILL BE CHOSEN THROUGH A RANDOM DRAWING OF QUALIFYING CONTESTANTS. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY

Ryan Gosling stars as a Los Angeles wheelman for hire, stunt driving for movie productions by day and steering getaway vehicles for armed heists by night. Though a loner by nature, Driver can’t help falling in love with his beautiful neighbor Irene (Carey Mulligan), a vulnerable young mother dragged into a dangerous underworld by the return of her ex-convict husband Standard (Oscar Isaac).

After a heist intended to pay off Standard’s protection money spins unpredictably out of control, Driver finds himself driving defense for the girl he loves, tailgated by a syndicate of deadly serious criminals (Albert Brooks and Ron Perlman). But when he realizes that the gangsters are after more than a bag of cash in his trunk – that they’re coming straight for Irene and her son – Driver is forced to shift gears and go on offense. With an all-star supporting cast that includes Christina Hendricks and Bryan Cranston, DRIVE is based on the James Sallis novel of the same name.

MPAA Rating: R
Language: English
Run Time: 100 minutes

Visit the film’s official Website: http://www.drive-movie.com
“Like” it on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DriveTheMovie
DRIVE is in theaters now!

FilmDistrict Acquires Angelina Jolie Directing Debut IN THE LAND OF BLOOD AND HONEY

Variety reports that GK Films has announced in Cannes that FilmDistrict will release Angelina Jolie’s directorial debut, IN THE LAND OF BLOOD AND HONEY. Set against the backdrop of the Bosnian War in the 90s, the film will be released in the U.S. on December 23, 2011.

“The film is specific to the Bosnian War, but it’s also universal,” Jolie said in a statement. “I wanted to tell a story of how human relationships and behavior are deeply affected by living inside a war.” 

“The former Yugoslavia has a rich history of dramatic arts. The cast was extraordinary. I was privileged and honored to work with them and I am very excited for everyone to see their immense talent,” adds Jolie, who also wrote the script.

Shot last year in Bosnia, Graham King and his business partner Tim Headington financed the film.

“Working with Angelina on this film and story has been a great collaboration and I am extremely proud of this film,” said King.

Starring Zana Marjanovic, Goran Kostic and Rade Serbedzija, IN THE LAND OF BLOOD AND HONEY was shot simultaneously in both English and BHS, formerly known as Serbo-Croatian.

Jolie is presently in Cannes to promote DreamWorks Animation’s KUNG FU PANDA 2 and to be with partner Brad Pitt as his drama, TREE OF LIFE, premieres Monday.

About FilmDistrict

FilmDistrict is a multi-faceted acquisitions, distribution, production and financing company focusing on wide release, commercial pictures. Founded in September by Graham King and Tim Headington’s GK Films, in partnership with Peter Schlessel, the company’ films include INSIDIOUS, April 1; SOUL SURFER, April 8; DRIVE, Sept. 16; and LOCKOUT, February 24, 2012. For more information, visit filmdistrict.com.

About GK Films

Graham King launched GK Films in May 2007 with business partner Tim Headington. Most recently, GK Films produced the animated tale RANGO, directed by Gore Verbinski and produced with his Blind Wink Productions for Paramount Pictures, THE TOWN, written and directed by Ben Affleck for Warner Bros., and THE TOURIST, directed by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck and starring Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp.

The company is currently in post-production on the 3-D adventure film HUGO Cabret, directed by Martin Scorsese set for release through Paramount Pictures on November 23rd 2011, the crime drama LONDON BOULEVARD, starring Colin Farrell and Keira Knightley and written and directed by Academy Award®-winning screenwriter William Monahan and THE RUM DIARY starring Johnny Depp and produced with Depp’s production company, Infinitum Nihil.

GK Films has announced several projects in development including the screen adaptation of JERSEY BOYS, the untitled Freddie Mercury story starring Sacha Baron Cohen and written by Peter Morgan and a reboot of the successful action franchise, TOMB RAIDER. Previous GK Films releases include EDGE OF DARKNESS, and the three-time Academy Award® nominated THE YOUNG VICTORIA.

GK Films can be found at http://gk-films.com.

FilmDistrict Acquires U.S. Rights To Joseph Gordon-Levitt/Bruce Willis Sci-Fi Action Film LOOPER

FilmDistrict and Endgame Entertainment have come to a U.S. distribution deal for Rian Johnson’s sci-fi pic LOOPER. The film stars Bruce Willis, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Emily Blunt and Paul Dano and will be released by Sony’s TriStar label through its partnership with FilmDistrict. Look for it in theaters sometime in the first half of 2012.

Written and to be directed by Rian Johnson (The Brothers Bloom, Brick), Looper is an action-packed science fiction thriller starring Bruce Willis (The Expendables, Die Hard) and Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Inception, 500 Days of Summer).

In the future they will invent time travel, but it will be illegal and only the crime syndicates will use it. What better way to hide a body than to send it 30 years into the past?

Joe (Gordon-Levitt) is a ‘Looper’, one of the best – a hired gun recruited by the mob to do one thing, wait for a target to be sent back in time, make the kill and dispose of the body. He’s getting rich and life is good, until one day the syndicate decides to ‘close the loop’. His future-self (Willis) is sent back for assassination and young Joe can’t pull the trigger…

“We have been chasing LOOPER for six months and it is something my entire team agreed would be a great film for us to distribute. The fact that our friends at Sony feel the same makes it even more exciting,” FilmDistrict CEO Peter Schlessel said.

Ram Bergman and Endgame’s James D. Stern are producing Looper in association with DMG. Endgame’s Doug E. Hansen is executive producing.

“Looper is our second collaboration with Rian and Ram and it’s truly been a thrilling ride,” stated Endgame Entertainment CEO James D. Stern. “We look forward to continuing the journey with Sony and Peter in delivering this commercial thriller to audiences everywhere.”

The film is currently shooting in Louisiana. Follow it on Twitter: @Loopermovie

Photo: Empire

Johnny Depp To Star In FilmDistrict’s THE RUM DIARY On October 28, 2011

It was announced today at CinemaCon, by Bob Berney, President, Theatrical Distribution that FilmDistrict will release THE RUM DIARY, based on the early Hunter S. Thompson novel that was ultimately published in 1998. It stars Johnny Depp and will be released on October 28, 2011. The film is directed by Bruce Robinson (“Withnail and I”) from his own screenplay and also stars Aaron Eckhart, Amber Heard, Michael Rispoli, Richard Jenkins and Giovanni Ribisi. “The Rum Diary” is produced by Infinitum Nihil, the production company headed by Depp and Christi Dembrowski, along with Graham King and Tim Headington. Anthony Rhulen and Robert Kravis also produce.

“The Rum Diary” tells the increasingly unhinged story of itinerant journalist Paul Kemp (Depp). Tired of the noise and madness of New York and the crushing conventions of late Eisenhower-era America, Kemp travels to the pristine island of Puerto Rico to write for a local San Juan newspaper run by the downtrodden editor Lotterman (Jenkins). Adopting the rum-soaked lifestyle of the late ‘50s version of Hemingway’s “The Lost Generation,” Paul soon becomes entangled with a very attractive American woman, Chenault (Heard) and her fiancée Sanderson (Eckhart), a businessman involved in shady property development deals.  It is within this world that Kemp ultimately discovers his true voice as a writer and integrity as a man.

“Hunter S. Thompson became close with Johnny Depp during the filming of “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” and showed Depp the unpublished manuscript for The Rum Diary,” says producer and FilmDistrict co-founder Graham King. “I am extremely proud to bring this novel to film and to honor Hunter’s legacy.”

Peter Schlessel, CEO of FilmDistrict and President of GK Films, says, “The Rum Diary” is a special project for all of us here, as it is a true collaboration between both of our entities. Depp gives an extraordinary performance in this remarkable adaptation.”

“Robinson directed one of my favorite films, “Withnail and I” – combine that with Hunter S. Thompson and it’s a match made in celluloid heaven,” says Bob Berney, President of Distribution, FilmDistrict.

“The Rum Diary” is a GK Films, Infinitum Nihil and Film Engine production produced by Johnny Depp, Christi Dembrowski, Anthony Rhulen, Robert Kravis, Tim Headington and Graham King.

About FilmDistrict

FilmDistrict is a multi-faceted acquisitions, distribution, production and financing company focusing on wide release, commercial pictures.  Founded in September by Graham King and Tim Headington’s GK Films, in partnership with Peter Schlessel, the company’s films include INSIDIOUS, April 1; SOUL SURFER, April 8; DRIVE, Sept. 16; and LOCKOUT, February 24, 2012.  For more information, visit filmdistrict.com.

About GK Films

Graham King launched GK Films in May 2007 with business partner Tim Headington. Most recently, GK Films produced the animated tale “Rango,” directed by Gore Verbinski and produced with his Blind Wink Productions for Paramount Pictures, “The Town,” written and directed by Ben Affleck for Warner Bros., and “The Tourist,” directed by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck and starring Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp.

The company is currently in post-production on the 3-D adventure film “Hugo Cabret,” directed by Martin Scorsese set for release through Paramount Pictures on November 23rd 2011, an untitled love story, written and directed by Angelina Jolie, the crime drama “London Boulevard,” starring Colin Farrell and Keira Knightley and written and directed by Academy Award®-winning screenwriter William Monahan and “The Rum Diary” starring Johnny Depp and produced with Depp’s production company, Infinitum Nihil.

GK Films has announced several projects in development including the screen adaptation of “Jersey Boys,” the untitled Freddie Mercury story starring Sacha Baron Cohen and written by Peter Morgan and a reboot of the successful action franchise,“Tomb Raider.”

Previous GK Films releases include “Edge of Darkness,” and the three-time Academy Award® nominated “The Young Victoria.”

In 2010, Graham King and Tim Headington launched a new division, GK-TV.  Run by President Craig Cegielski, GK-TV is dedicated to the development, production and worldwide distribution of television programming.  GK-TV’s miniseries “Camelot,” set to premiere on Starz on April 1, 2011, stars Joseph Fiennes and Eva Green.

GK Films, in partnership with Peter Schlessel, formed FilmDistrict, a multi-faceted studio that encompasses acquisitions, distribution, production and financing on wide release commercial pictures.  The company will theatrically distribute several films per year. GK Films can be found at http://gk-films.com.

About Infinitum Nihil

Infinitum Nihil was formed in 2004 and enjoys a production deal with GK Films. The two companies have produced the forthcoming film The Rum Diary starring Johnny Depp and written and produced by Bruce Robinson, as well as Hugo Cabret directed by Martin Scorsese and set for release on November 23rd through Paramount Pictures.  Additionally, Infinitum Nihil and Graham King are in pre-production on Dark Shadows for Warner Brothers with Johnny Depp set to star with Tim Burton directing.

Infinitum Nihil and GK Films share a number of films in development for Warner Brothers, including Shantaram, based on the book by Gregory David Roberts and adapted by Eric Roth; Attica adapted by Linda Woolverton and to be directed by Sam Fell; Gordon Dahlquist’s The Glass Books of the Dream Eaters and the Tom Robbins classic Fierce Invalids Home from Hot Climates adapted by Eric Aronson.

Infinitum Nihil is also developing the Nick Tosches book In The Hand of Dante as well as journalist-author James Meek’s The People’s Act of Love.

DON’T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK Scares Up An August 12th Release Date

FILMDISTRICT PARTNERS WITH MIRAMAX FOR U.S. DISTRIBUTION OF
DON’T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK

Presented by Guillermo Del Toro and starring Katie Holmes and Guy Pearce;
Nationwide Release Set for August 12th

FilmDistrict and Miramax announced earlier this week that FilmDistrict has acquired all U.S. rights to DON’T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK and that a wide release has been scheduled for August 12. Produced by Guillermo Del Toro and Mark Johnson, the film stars Katie Holmes, Guy Pearce, Bailee Madison and Jack Thompson and marks the directorial debut of Troy Nixey. DON’T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK is a remake of a 1973 TV movie bearing the same title, considered by Del Toro to be among the scariest ever made. The film was co-written by Del Toro and Matthew Robbins.

Have another look at the trailer. I still can’t get past the first 25 seconds without having to turn it off.

DON’T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK follows Sally (Bailee Madison), a young girl who moves to Rhode Island to live with her father (Guy Pearce) and his new girlfriend (Katie Holmes) in the 19th-century mansion they are restoring. Having stumbled upon the mansion’s hidden basement, Sally starts hearing voices calling out from the bolted ash pit, imploring her to open it. Sally obliges and unwittingly unleashes something so terrible, so unthinkable, that everyone’s life – hers most of all – is placed in immediate and grave danger.

Mike Lang, CEO of Miramax says, “We’re very pleased to partner with FilmDistrict to bring DON’T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK to U.S. audiences. Guillermo Del Toro has crafted a true thriller that exemplifies the type of high-quality films for which Miramax is known. We are thrilled to add it to our growing library and we look forward to maximizing its U.S. theatrical and long-term potential.”

“Nixey made a very impressive first film and we are thrilled to be working with Guillermo and Mark Johnson,” says Peter Schlessel, CEO of FilmDistrict. “DON’T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK should be one of the most anticipated horror films of the summer, and it rounds out our 2011 slate nicely.”

“Miramax has done an inspired job finding the right home for our film that took 15 years to get made. Partnering with Bob Berney is always an exciting privilege and I’m confident that the FilmDistrict team will bring the intelligence, patience, and inspiration to set DON’T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK forth into the world in a powerful way,” says co-writer and producer Del Toro.

“DON’T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK is the kind of incredibly unique and very frightening movie that we know American audiences crave,” says Bob Berney, President, Theatrical Distribution, FilmDistrict. “The filmmakers and cast have done a brilliant job in re-imagining the original version and I am personally very pleased to be working with Guillermo again.”

About FilmDistrict
FilmDistrict is a multi-faceted acquisitions, distribution, production and financing company focusing on wide release, commercial pictures. Founded in September by Graham King and Tim Headington’s GK Films, in partnership with Peter Schlessel, the company’s films include INSIDIOUS, April 1; SOUL SURFER, April 8; DRIVE, Sept. 16; and LOCKOUT February 24, 2012. For more information, visit filmdistrict.com.