Tag: Lightning Entertainment

Lightning Entertainment Teams With Paladin To Release Horror Comedy THE REVENANT In U.S.

Worldwide rights holder Lightning Entertainment has struck a deal with notable New York-based independent distribution company Paladin to handle the theatrical release of the award-winning horror comedy THE REVENANT, it was announced today by Lightning president Robert Beaumont, and Paladin’s president Mark Urman.

Paladin plans to release the film theatrically in August in an initial 10 markets. That same day, the film will be available as a premium V.O.D., as part of an event driven day-and-date Ultra VOD bow through Lightning’s distribution arm, Lightning Media.

The DVD will be released through Lionsgate under Lightning Media’s on-going partnership with the company.

The deal with Paladin was negotiated by Lightning Entertainment’s Joseph Dickstein, SVP of acquisitions and Audrey Delaney, VP of acquisitions and business development, and Paladin’s Urman.

Starring David Anders (the CW’s “The Vampire Diaries”) and Chris Wylde (THE TEN), THE REVENANT is written and directed by acclaimed visual effects expert D. Kerry Prior (PHANTASM franchise, AIR FORCE ONE, STARSHIP TROOPERS).  Prior also produced the film along with Liam Finn (TRAINING DAY) and Jacques Thelemaque (MIDNIGHT MOVIE).

A horror comedy in the vein of SHAUN OF THE DEAD and ZOMBIELAND, THE REVENANT tells the story of a soldier and his slacker best friend who become zombies, and then use their newfound powers to become vigilante crime fighters with hilariously mixed results when their adventures become more complicated and bloody than expected.

A breakout hit on the film festival circuit, THE REVENANT has garnered exceptional reviews and won numerous awards including the Best Director and Audience Awards at Fantastic Fest and Zompire (the Undead Film Festival), and the Audience Award at CineVegas; and played to packed houses at top festivals like Sitges, the Brussels International Film Fest, and the Fantasia Film Festival.

“We are thrilled that THE REVENANT has found a theatrical home at Paladin,” said Beaumont. “Mark’s prowess in theatrical distribution, as well as his well-honed skills in the U.S. independent marketplace, ensures that this film will have a long and successful future.”

“Kerry’s film is an extremely clever and stylish take on zombie folklore, and the praise he garners from our theatrical release will almost certainly excite the genre’s fans and position him as a director to watch.  I look forward to collaborating with Lightning Entertainment on this project, and expect it will be the first of several we do together,” said Urman.

Lightning’s high profile sales slate at the recently concluded Cannes Film Market included the Liam Hemsworth starrer LOVE AND HONOR screening for the first time for international buyers; WHOLE LOTTA SOLE starring Brendan Fraser and directed by Oscar winner Terry George (HOTEL RWANDA) also making its market debut along with the star-studded comedy STRUCK BY LIGHTNING starring Glee’s Chris Colfer and Rebel Wilson; the comedy SERVITUDE starring Joe Dinicol (the CW’s The L.A. Complex); the Russian animated 3D film KIKORIKI: TEAM INVINCIBLE; the thrillers BLACK SOUTH-EASTER and ONE LAST LOOK; family film HEAVEN’S DOOR starring Charisma Carpenter (upcoming THE EXPENDABLES 2) and Joanna Cassidy (HBO’s Six Feet Under) and Australian sci-fi film, 25th REICH starring Jim Knobeloch, Dan Balcaban and Jak Wyld.  Lightning also debuted footage for the comedy THE HOT FLASHES directed by Susan Seidelman (DESPERATELY SEEKING SUSAN) starring Brooke Shields, Daryl Hannah, Virginia Madsen, Camryn Manheim and Wanda Sykes.

Paladin’s REVENANT deal with Lightning rounds out a particularly exciting chapter for the company that shepherded Tom Shadyac’s I AM to a $1.6 million gross, making it one of the surprise indie hits of last year.  Other recent Paladin releases include THE WHALE narrated and executive produced by Ryan Reynolds; the Sundance 2011 award-winner, CONNECTED; Seidelman’s “Musical Chairs,” Morgan Spurlock’s most recent documentary, “Mansome,” starring and executive produced by Jason Bateman and Will Arnett.  In current release is Oscar-nominee Taika Waititi’s prize-winning film, BOY, now in its fourth month in theaters having played nearly 100 engagements nationwide.

Lightning Entertainment Acquires International Rights To WHOLE LOTTA SOLE Starring Brendan Fraser & Timur Bekmambetov’s 3D Animated KIKORIKI: TEAM INVINCIBLE

Dynamic international distribution company Lightning Entertainment has picked up international rights to two new feature films making their market premieres; the comedy WHOLE LOTTA SOLE starring Brendan Fraser (THE MUMMY franchise) and directed by Oscar winner Terry George (HOTEL RWANDA) and KIKORIKI: TEAM INVINCIBLE, the Russian 3D animated-adventure comedy film from the Riki Group and produced by Timur Bekmambetov (WANTED), it was announced today by Robert Beaumont, President of Lightning Entertainment.

The dramatic comedy WHOLE LOTTA SOLE world premiered at the 2012 Tribeca Film Festival and received rave reviews from critics, whilst KIKORIKI comes to the market hot on the heels of its impressive $8.5 million box office run in its native Russia.

“Lightning continues to acquire top-notch material to present to international buyers with WHOLE LOTTA SOLE from the talented Terry George and the Russian animated adventure, KIKORIKI: TEAM INVINCIBLE from powerhouse producer Timur Bekmambetov,” commented Beaumont. “Both films are highly accessible, crowd-pleasing and most importantly, thoroughly entertaining features with universal appeal,” he continued.

Acclaimed Irish filmmaker George won an Oscar this year for his live-action short film, THE SHORE starring Ciaran Hinds.  George has been nominated twice before;  Best Original Screenplay for Don Cheadle starrer HOTEL RWANDA which he also directed and produced and Best Adapted Screenplay for IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER co-written with Jim Sheridan and starring Daniel Day-Lewis, which was nominated for an additional six Oscars. He also directed Focus Features’ RESERVATION ROAD starring Joaquin Phoenix, Mark Ruffalo, Jennifer Connelly and Mira Sorvino.

WHOLE LOTTA SOLE tells the story of Jimbo, who in a misguided attempt to protect his family and pay back gambling debts to the local mobster, robs a fish market which is owned by the same gangland boss Mad Dog Flynn and finds himself in a hostage standoff surrounded by the police.

Martin McCann (CLASH OF THE TITANS) stars as Jimbo alongside leading comedic actor Fraser (THE MUMMY franchise), Colm Meaney (THE DAMNED UNITED), YaYa DaCosta (THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT) and David O’Hara (HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART 1).

WHOLE LOTTA SOLE is written by Thomas Gallagher and George, who also produces with Simon Bosanquet (upcoming ROMEO AND JULIET), David Gorder (X MEN: THE LAST STAND) and Jay Russell (THE WATER HORSE). WME is handling domestic rights in the US.  Richard S. Guardian negotiated the deal for Lightning Entertainment and is serving as a consultant on the film for Lightning.

3D animated film, KIKORIKI: TEAM INVINCIBLE is an family friendly adventure comedy produced by Ilya Popov and veteran producer/director Timur Bekmambetov, the director/producer behind Universal’s hit action blockbuster WANTED starring Angelina Jolie and 20th Century Fox’s upcoming ABRAHAM LINCOLN: VAMPIRE HUNTER, produced with Tim Burton.

Based on the internationally successful Russian animated series of the same name, this first film in the series is written by Alexei Lebedev and directed by Denis Chernov. The English language version screening at the market is written by a US team led by Mike de Seve, who was a storyline consultant on two of DreamWorks’ worldwide box office animated hits, SHREK THE THIRD and MONSTERS VS ALIENS.   KIKORIKI: TEAM INVINCIBLE marks the first full-length Russian film production to be made in stereoscopic 3D.

The film centers on the lovable inhabitants of the remote island of Kikoriki. They have it all: big laughs, good friends, and a distant paradise unspoiled by modern woes. But the lives of the Kikoriki gang are suddenly turned upside-down when they stumble on a strange device they had only heard about – a television.

Lightning’s high profile Cannes slate also includes LOVE AND HONOR starring Liam Hemsworth (THE HUNGER GAMES) making its market debut in Cannes; the star-studded comedy STRUCK BY LIGHTNING starring Glee’s Chris Colfer and Rebel Wilson (BRIDESMAIDS) which emerged as a hit at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival and also makes its market debut in Cannes; the comedy THE HOT FLASHES starring Brooke Shields, Daryl Hannah, Virginia Madsen, Camryn Manheim and Wanda Sykes; the comedy SERVITUDE starring Joe Dinicol (the CW’s The L.A. Complex), written by Michael Sparaga (SIDEKICK) and directed by acclaimed film director Warren P. Sonoda (TEXTUALITY), also screening for the first time at a market; the thrillers BLACK SOUTH-EASTER and ONE LAST LOOK and family film HEAVEN’S DOOR starring Charisma Carpenter (upcoming THE EXPENDABLES 2) and Joanna Cassidy (HBO’s Six Feet Under). Lightning will also screen Australian sci-film, THE 25th REICH starring Jim Knobeloch, Dan Balcaban and Jak Wyld and will be showing first footage from THE HOT FLASHES, ONE LAST LOOK and HEAVEN’S DOOR.

Lightning Entertainment’s Slate Of New Titles For Cannes Includes Chris Colfer’s STRUCK BY LIGHTNING

Lightning Entertainment has acquired international rights to five feature films and will present the slate of new titles, including the star-studded comedy STRUCK BY LIGHTNING written by and starring Glee’s Chris Colfer, to buyers at the upcoming Cannes Film Market, it was announced today by Robert Beaumont, President of Lightning Entertainment.

STRUCK BY LIGHTNING will make its market premiere at the Marché du Film following its Tribeca Film Festival world debut where it received an overwhelmingly positive response. SERVITUDE will also make its market premiere with promotional footage being shown for family film HEAVEN’S DOOR and South African thriller ONE LAST LOOK. BLACK SOUTH-EASTER is currently in production.

“We are thrilled to present this eclectic slate of new titles featuring films from across the globe to our buyers at Cannes and we are incredibly excited that both STRUCK BY LIGHTNING and SERVITUDE will be making their market premieres next month,” said Robert Beaumont. “We always look to find films with a unique twist that we can bring to the marketplace, and we feel that these films are right on target,” he continued.

STRUCK BY LIGHTNING is written by and stars Golden Globe winner Chris Colfer from Fox’s popular award-winning TV show, Glee. He stars alongside Rebel Wilson (BRIDESMAIDS), Allison Janney (THE HELP), Christina Hendricks (AMC’s Mad Men), Dermot Mulroney (THE GREY) and Sarah Hyland (ABC’s Modern Family). The smart, irreverent coming-of-age comedy is directed by Brian Dannelly, who previously directed cult comedy SAVED! and was creative producer on the first season of Showtime’s Weeds where he also directed several episodes.

The film tells the tale of seventeen year old Carson Phillips who is determined to make something of himself and blaze a trail beyond his crummy high school, when he is suddenly struck by a bolt of lightning. The incident is the spark to a wickedly funny story about a young man who devises a blackmailing scheme to improve his chances of getting accepted into a top college…but what he accomplishes is much more profound.

The comedy is produced by David Permut, Roberto Aguire and Mia Chang, co-produced by Monica Aguirre Diez Barroso, Steve Longi and Mark Moran and executive produced by Jason Michael Berman, Chris Colfer, Glenn Rigberg and Lawrence Kopeikin. It is a co-production between Permut Presentations and Camellia Entertainment.

ICM and Traction Media sold international rights to Lightning Entertainment. The deal was negotiated by Joseph Dickstein, the company’s SVP of Acquisitions, with Richard Guardian serving as a consultant on the film for Lightning.

SERVITUDE is a comedy written by Michael Sparaga (SIDEKICK) and directed by award-winning film director Warren P. Sonoda whose previous credits include HAM & CHEESE, TEXTUALITY, and UNRIVALED.  The film stars Joe Dinicol (the CW’s The L.A. Complex), Enrico Colanton (CBS’ Person of Interest), Dave Foley (HBO’s The Kids in the Hall), Kristen Hager (BBC’s Being Human) and John Bregar (THE ENTITLED).  The comedy is produced by Sean Buckley of Buck Productions and Michael Sparaga’s Victory Man Productions and was developed with mentorship from veteran producer/director Ivan Reitman and acclaimed comedy screenwriter, Etan Cohen. Released theatrically by Alliance Films in Canada earlier this year, the film will make its US debut at the Newport Beach Film Festival on April 29th.

Josh goes in to quit his job waiting tables at Ranch Steakhouse, but is unable to do so as the restaurant is short-staffed for the night. After discovering a secret memo revealing the company’s plans to fire the staff, he rallies his fellow servers and takes over the restaurant for one final, glorious night.

ONE LAST LOOK marks the feature film debut of successful television and commercial director Philip Roberts, who also wrote the script. Currently in post-production, the thriller starsStephanie Schildknecht (YOUNG LEONARDO) and newcomer Anna Capraro as two gorgeous sisters on a trip through Africa.  When Angie disappears, Yasmin accepts the help from a loner musician to find her sister which leads her to the remote farm of a charismatic sculptor, played by Neil Sandilands (Fox’s House). But appearances deceive, and behind the charm and smile is hidden a terrible secret.  Lightning holds worldwide rights outside of Africa, with Richard Guardian serving as a consultant on the film.

HEAVEN’S DOOR is a family film starring Charisma Carpenter (upcoming THE EXPENDABLES 2), Dean Cain (OUT OF TIME), Golden Globe winner Joanna Cassidy (HBO’s Six Feet Under) and Edward Herrmann (the WB’s Gilmore Girls), written and directed by Craig Clyde (THE WILD STALLION, A CHRISTMAS WISH). Currently in post-production, the film is produced by Bryce W. Fillmore and Dave Hunter. HEAVEN’S DOOR is a heartwarming tale about a small town girl who discovers a window into Heaven and uses her new found powers to help heal and bolster faith in the small community until she is faced with the ultimate sacrifice. The film will air in the US at Christmas 2012.

BLACK SOUTH-EASTER is a noir thriller currently shooting in Cape Town, South Africa.  The film is written and directed by NYU film graduate Carey McKenzie, who makes her feature film debut following her critically acclaimed documentary, ORIGINAL CHILD BOMB. McKenzie developed the project through the Binger Institute, which was also selected for the Berlinale Co-Pro Market in 2009. The thriller is produced by Rachel Young and Tendeka Matatu, whose 2008 film, GANGSTER’S PARADISE: JERUSALEMA, was a critical and box office success, screened at several international film festivals and was the country’s official entry for the Academy Awards. The cast includes Tony Kgoroge (INVICTUS) and Fana Mokoena (MACHINE GUN PREACHER), who have both been cast in Justin Chadwick’s newly announced LONG WALK TO FREEDOM, as well as Yu Nan (upcoming THE EXPENDABLES 2), Deon Lotz (SKOONHEID), Thomas Gumede (OTELO BURNING) and Zolani Mahola (FRESHLY GROUND).   Richard Guardian will serve as a consultant on the film for Lightning.

The film tells the story of an ambitious policeman, Sizwe Miya, who uncovers a poaching scheme by his ex-police-comrade who is now a corrupt crime lord. As a man of integrity, he has no choice but to take a stand against his old colleague.

In addition to the new Cannes slate, Lightning will also be showing buyers first footage from the comedy THE HOT FLASHES starring Brooke Shields, Daryl Hannah, Virginia Madsen, Camryn Manheim and Wanda Sykes and screening the Australian sci-fi film, 25th REICH starring Jim Knobeloch, Dan Balcaban and Jak Wyld. Lightning will also present the thriller FIVE THIRTEEN starring Tom Sizemore, Taryn Manning, Danny Trejo and James Russo.