Acquisitions and Release

THE SILENCING: Saban Takes New Thriller Starring Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

Shot Caller star Nikolaj Coster-Waldau will soon get his day in North America with Saban Films snagging Robin Pront’s latest, The Silencing. The actor is joined by Annabelle Wallis (The Mummy, Peaky Blinders) and Hero Fiennes Tiffin (After, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince), with Pront directing from a script by Micah Ranum. The Silencing follows a reformed hunter living in isolation on a wildlife sanctuary who becomes involved in a deadly game of cat and mouse when he and the local Sheriff set out to track a vicious killer who may have kidnapped his daughter years ago. The film would have had its Midnighters debut at SXSW were it not for the Covid-19 epidemic. Anova Pictures’ Cybill Lui Eppich (Pay the Ghost, After the Dark) is producing, with XYZ Films’ Aram Tertzakian and Maxime Cottray exec producing with Saban; Both firms partnered on the project during the scripting stage. […]

Terror Films, Watch Movies To Release Four Free Films Starting Friday

Lee B. Golden III

Genre Distributor Terror Films has teamed with the AVOD YouTube Channel, Watch Movies Now to kick off a slate of releases beginning Friday, April 10. The Bone Box (4/10) will arrive first, followed by Dead Body (4/17), After Dark (4/24) and The Chair (4/29), in a weekly pace on the Watch Movies Now channel and in most cases, the films will be available worldwide. “This marks yet another strategic, AVOD partnership for our company and one more step toward our continued global expansion. It’s also very important we make our films available for FREE to as many people as possible during this difficult time. Watch Movies Now is a perfect partner to achieve this goal,” stated Terror Films president, Joe Dain. Watch Movies Now is a global movie channel. This channel has over 142,000 subscribers (and growing), with more than 12 Million views per month. Watch Movies Now is the […]

SPUTNIK: Get Possessed By Slimey Space Creatures In The Official Trailer For Egor Abramenko’s Dark Supernatural Thriller

Lee B. Golden III

Egor Abramenko’s feature directorial debut, Sputnik, will get its day in North America on August 14 in select theaters, on digital and cable VOD. IFC Midnight is handling its U.S. distribution with its acquisition from North American sales agents at XYZ Films. The move comes following what would have been its April 16 Russia release ahead of its Midnight section premiere at the 19th Tribeca Film Festival, which is reportedly looking into other avenues for this year’s festivities as the U.S. battles the Covid-19 pandemic. Festival programmer Matt Barone describes the film as follows: Due to her controversial methods, young doctor Tatiana Yurievna (Oksana Akinshina) is on the precipice of losing her medical license. Her career may not be over, though. After she’s recruited by the military, Tatiana is brought to a secure science research facility to assess a very special case, that of Konstantin Sergeyevich (Pyotr Fyodorov), a cosmonaut […]

PENINSULA: Yeon Sang-Ho’s ‘Train To Busan’ Successor Lands At Well Go USA Amid Massive Sales In Berlin

Lee B. Golden III

Psychokinesis helmer Yeon Sang-ho’s forthcoming zombie follow-up, Peninsula, was acquired in Berlin by Well Go USA according to Screendaily‘s EFM coverage. The film, currently in post-production, serves as a shared-universe successor to his 2016 hit zombie opus, Train To Busan, and its corresponding animated Cannes trailblazer, Seoul Station. Produced by Redpeter Films and set four years after Train To Busan with twice that film’s budget, Peninsula stars Gang Dong-won and Lee Jung-hyun in the story of a former soldier who finds himself on a mission back into the ravaged country where there are still survivors. Contents Panda is repping the film in Berlin whose sales extend to well over a dozen territories globally outside the U.S., with Next Entertainment World (NEW) reportedly planning a post-Cannes summer release in Korea. Esther Yeung, general manager, head of Sales & Distribution at Edko Films, said: “We’re thrilled to be joining again Yeon Sang-ho’s […]

DETECTIVE CHINATOWN 3: Warner Bros. Pictures Picks Up Mystery Crime Comedy Threequel For U.S. And Canada; Trailer Revealed

Lee B. Golden III

Warner Bros. Pictures has gladly taken the wheel in repping North American distribution rights for writer/director Chen Sicheng’s Detective Chinatown films since 2015. The crime-solving adventure comedy franchise has been a blockbuster hit since then, with the first installment earning more than $120.6 million internationally; The 2018 sequel scooped $544 million worldwide, and is currently ranked No. 6 on the list of highest-grossing films in China. The franchise has since brought its latest installment to the fray with Wanda Pictures’ Detective Chinatown 3, with actors Liu Haoran and Kung Fu Killer star Wang Baoqiang reprising their roles once again for a wide day-and-date U.S./Canadian rollout starting January 24. Presented in English and Chinese subtitles, Detective Chinatown 3 sees Liu and Wang returning to the screen in the respective roles of mismatched partners Qin Feng and Tang Ren, who journey to Tokyo to help a Japanese investigator solve the high-profile murder […]

THE RESCUE: CMC Officially Announces North American Release Plans For Dante Lam’s Explosive Action Epic

Lee B. Golden III

CMC Pictures is making it official this week with release plans for director Dante Lam’s explosive Chinese action epic, The Rescue. The film is now slated to open on January 24 in the U.S. and Canada in time for the Chinese Lunar New Year, playing in all major markets ahead of its China, Australia, New Zealand and UK rollouts. Billed as one of the most expensive Chinese films ever made, costing $100 million dollars to produce, The Rescue stars Eddie Peng (Rise Of The Legend, Operation Mekong, Immortal Demon Slayer) as the maverick captain of a Chinese rescue team that must quell its internal upheaval, and embark on death-defying land, sea and air mission to save survivors of a fiery offshore catastrophe. The Rescue marks the first cinematic venture to showcase the China Rescue & Salvage (CRS), a lesser-known division of the Chinese Coast Guard. Founded in 1951, the unit […]

JIANG ZIYA: Catch The Official Trailer For The Spectacular CG-Animated Feature Follow-Up To ‘Ne Zha’

Lee B. Golden III

Well Go USA is taking the reigns this season for sweeping fantasy adventure, Jiang Ziya. Following Jiao Zi’s 2019 blockbuster summer hit, Ne Zha, the new Chinese CG-animated sequel from debut directors Cheng Teng and Li Wei will open on February 7, which sits two weeks after its China bow. Jiang Ziya, a top commander in the divine army of the Kunlun Sect, is victorious in the battle between the Heavenly powers and the Shang dynasty. Before he can ascend to his new position among the Gods, he is ordered to execute the Nine-Tailed Fox Demon who threatens the mortals’ very existence. But when the Fox Demon shows him the secret to her power, an innocent human girl, he is unable to complete his task resulting in his banishment to the mortal realm forever. Ten years later, atop the ruins of war, Jiang Ziya is again given a task that […]

THE BRAVEST: SPHE Picks Up Explosive Chinese Rescue Thriller For January 2020 U.S. Release

Lee B. Golden III

Director Tony Chan’s explosive firefighter tale, The Bravest, had a prospective theatrical run during the 70th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China back in August. Based on a true story, Chan directs from a script penned with Yu Yonggan, which centers on a disgraced Chief Firefighter who must put the past aside and team up with his former rookie in order to save the city when the oil pipeline in the city harbor explodes due to a calculation error. Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is proudly granting a stateside audience in North America for release on Digital beginning January 14. The film stars Xiaoming Huang (The Message), Jiang Du (Operation Red Sea) and Zhuo Tan (Dying to Survive), along with Zi Yang (Ode to Joy), and Hao Ou (The Left Ear) Andrew Lau and Peggy Lee produced the film, with Carrie Wong, Yu Dong, Tu Yanping Fan Luyua and Fu […]

CONTRACTS: Indiecan Lands Alex Chung’s Award-Winning Action Feature Debut

Lee B. Golden III

Indiecan Entertainment has acquired U.S. and Canadian rights to release independent action thriller, Contracts, as noted from the official announcement forwarded by Screen Anarchy‘s Andrew Mack on Saturday. The film, which stars Alex Chung who wore multiple hats on the production next to writer, producer, director and action director, is also being repped by APL Film for international sales as of this year’s events at the American Film Market. Contracts is the work of several years from Chung who got his start near the turn of the century with burgeoning Canadian stunt group, Eclipse Stunts. Having sharpened his skillset in multiple aspects of filmmaking and stunt work, it is with Contracts that he proudly signaled his feature directing/starring debut which eventually found it way to a world premiere at the 14th Toronto After Dark Film Festival where it won ‘Best Action Film’ and ‘Best Fight Scene’. In Contracts, a team […]

THE WHISTLEBLOWER: Catch The Trailer For Cine Asia’s New Suspenseful Action Thriller

Lee B. Golden III

Screenwriter Xu Xiaolu’s latest directorial effort will be making the rounds next month with The Whistleblower, opening in the UK and ROI cinemas from December 6 alongside its China release. Cine Asia is proudly taking the wheel for the new thriller from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Lust, Caution producer William Kong. Tang Wei (Dragon, Lust, Caution) and Lei Jiayin (The Wandering Earth, Brotherhood of Blades II) headline the story of two reluctant heores, forced on the run to risk everything and uncover a horrific international conspiracy involving global energy conglomerates, following a devastating natural disaster and a mysterious plane crash. Boasting high tension, thrilling action and stunning visual effects, The Whistleblower is expected to showcase advanced press screenings in London on December 4, with preview screenings the following day.

Saban Films Acquires Rights to BREACH

Christina Ortega

Saban Films has acquired the rights to sci-fi thriller Breach starring Bruce Willis. Here is the synopsis from the press release: Breach follows a young stowaway (Kearsley) aboard an interstellar ark to New Earth. With the help of a seasoned crewmate (Willis), he must outwit a malevolent cosmic terror intent on using the spaceship as a weapon. Bill Bromiley, who negotiated the deal along with Danny Roth, said: “Bruce Willis leads a fantastic cast fighting to survive in this highly suspenseful, action-packed thriller that will keep audiences captivated.” Starring alongside Bruce Willis are Cody Kearsley (Riverdale), Callan Mulvey (Avengers: Endgame), Kassandra Clementi (UnREAL), Timothy V. Murphy (The Lone Ranger) and Corey Large (In Like Flynn). This deal just adds to Saban Films presence in the industry, which is growing through acquisitions, productions, and distribution space. Among its previous successes are Rob Zombie’s 31, The Homesman with Hilary Swank, and Kevin […]

BLOOD ON HER NAME: Vertical Nabs New Matthew Pope Thriller

Christina Ortega

According to Deadline, Vertical Entertainment has acquired English-speaking world rights to the film Blood on Her Name. The film is described as a neo-noir thriller that “follows a single mother (Lind) whose panicked decision to cover up an accidental killing spirals out of control when her conscience demands she return the dead man’s body to his family.” The film premiered at the Fantasia International Film Festival and stars Bethany Anne Lind (Ozark), Will Patton (Remember the Titans) and Elizabeth Röhm (American Hustle). Matthew Pope not only directs, but also wrote this film with Don M. Thompson.

A GOOD WOMAN IS HARD TO FIND, To Be Found At Film Movement For 2020 Release

Lee B. Golden III

A new report at Variety has confirmed that Sarah Bolger’s new contained crime drama, A Good Woman Is Hard To Find, has been snagged by Film Movement for day-and-date releasing next year in North America. I wholly welcome this one as of the most intriguing and suspenseful features out of Fantasia this past summer and following its UK acquisition by Signature, it’s high time folks got a little something out of it in the states. So what are folks in for? Welp… for one we have actres Sarah Bolger leading the film. She plays a single mother of two, forced to do whatever it takes to survive when a small-time drug pusher invades her home in order to stash two stolen bags of cocaine. The film is directed by Road Games helmer Abner Pastoll, from a script by Ronan Blaney, and also stars Edward Hogg and Andrew Simpson. Peep my […]

Aswang Action Horror BLOOD HUNTERS: RISE OF THE HYBRIDS Hunts Down A March 2020 U.S. Release From TriCoast

Lee B. Golden III

A March 2020 release has been set for actor and director Vincent Soberano’s latest action horror, Blood Hunters: Rise Of The Hybrids. TriCoast Entertainment officially announced its acquisition this week and is launching world sales at AFM. The news comes duly as the film is set to premiere in front of an audience at the seventh-annual Urban Action Showcase at the AMC Empire 25 cinemas in New York City on Saturday, November 9. The film marks Soberano’s return to the UASE three years since Blood Hunters – his inaugural proof of concept short – won Best Short Film at the 2016 Cinemax HBO Action Film Competition at the UASE. Produced by IndieGo Pictures, Soberano stars opposite Chinese-American martial artist, actress and stunt professional Sarah Chang who makes her lead debut. In the film, Chang plays Gabriella, an ex-cop who sets out to find the Aswang beast that murdered her family. […]

RE:BORN: Hero Musings Set The Tone For The Breakneck New U.K. Trailer

RE:BORN: Shudder To Premiere Tak Sakaguchi Action Thriller In North America November 7

Lee B. Golden III

Yuji Shimomura-directed thriller, Re:Born, has been the talk of many a fan for the longest time now, but the word is now that the film will stream on horror platform, Shudder, beginning November 7. Shimomura’s sophomore debut reunites the stunt performer, action director and coordinator with cult action star Tak Sakaguchi as both paved the way with many notable directors in the last twenty years for Japanese cult action cinema. Sakaguchi stars as Toshiro, an idyllic countryside store clerk whose past life as a clandestined special forces operative comes back to haunt him and the young girl in his care. What ensues is a rampaging tale of action-packed close quarters retribution with Toshiro laying waste as a one-man army against his old commander and his gorilla kill-squad. The film made the rounds on DVD and Blu-Ray in some form or another in Japan and the UK, and grew wider appeal […]

THE DIVINE MOVE 2: THE WRATHFUL Makes Its Move With An Official U.S. Trailer And Poster

Lee B. Golden III

Never has a table-top game been more brutal than with what Lee Gun has in store following Jo Beom-gu’s 2014 thriller, The Divine Move. Casting the phenomenal talents of Kwon Sang-woo this time around, The Divine Move 2: The Wrathful just took aim at South Korean cinemas and will now head to North American theaters as signaled by CJ Entertainment USA on Friday. “You’re destined to become a monster when you try to make yourself a god.” In the 1990s, when Go gambling fever swept Korea, Gui-su loses everything because his father gambled obsessively until there was nothing left. Left all alone in the world, Gui-su meets a mentor and Go teacher, Il-do, and goes through vicious training to become the grandmaster of Go. He sets out for revenge on the world that destroyed his life, but soon finds himself chased by an unknown loner pursuing his own vendetta. Kwon […]

WEATHERING WITH YOU: Makoto Shinkai’s Latest Scores A U.S. Release From GKids And Fathom Events

Lee B. Golden III

Makoto Shinkai’s newest anime, Weathering With You, previously opened in Japan cinemas on July 19 from Toho. The film scored well over $125 million dollars upon its local release and now stands as Japan’s official submission for the Academy Award for Best International Film at the 92nd Academy Awards. The film is currently making the rounds at festivals as did in Toronto and in Los Angeles, and will also screen for audiences at this year’s 32nd Tokyo International Film Festival on October 31. In the meantime, the film’s North American run is now slated for two-day special fan preview on January 15 and 16, followed by a select theatrical release on January 17 from GKids in association with Fathom Events. Directed by Shinkai and produced by Genki Kawamura who previously paired up for their 2016 hit success, Your Name, Weathering With You centers on high school freshman Hodaka who runs away […]

DEAD KIDS: Netflix Partners With Globe Studios To Stream Coming-Of-Age Teen Thriller Later This Year

Lee B. Golden III

Filipino film auteur Mikhail Red announced several projects late last year in Singapore. Dead Kids was one of them, hailing from Globe Studios and is now the subject of a new venture partnership with Netflix committing to streaming the film globally later this year. The award-winning director behind Neo Manila, Rekorder and Block Z, as well as internationally acclaimed hits like Birdshot and Eerie directs a story based on true events: A socially awkward teen bonds with a group of misfits who plot to take out the school’s arrogant rich kid, that is until their kidnapping scheme turns deadly. Described as a compelling story that “touches on an exciting mix of friendship, coming-of-age, thriller, and crime rolled into one, societal eye-opening movie.” Actress Sue Ramirez and actor Khalil Ramos star along with Markus Paterson, Vance Larena, alongside rising young stars Kelvin Miranda, Gabby Padilla, and Jan Silverio. “It has always […]

SPY INTERVENTION: Romantic Spy Comedy Lands At Cinedigm For 2020

Lee B. Golden III

Cinedigm has officially acquired director Drew Mylrea’s new film, Spy Intervention. Drew Van Acker (TV’s Pretty Little Liars) stars in the upcoming spy comedy penned by Mark Famiglietti and Lane Garrison for its select big screen release in February 2020. Van Acker (pictured) stars as Corey Gage (Drew Van Acker), once and formerly the world’s greatest spy who then chooses to settle down with the woman of his dreams and decides to abandon his action-packed life of espionage and world-saving. When the reality of idyllic, suburban life in a seemingly listless marriage sets in, his best spy friend decides to enact an intervention to help get him back in the game. “Spy Intervention is a reimaging of the spy genre,” said Yolanda Macias, Cinedigm’s Executive Vice-President of Acquisitions. “It has all the action and espionage audiences have come to expect plus a lot of comedy and some romance as well. […]

ONE PIECE: STAMPEDE Lands A Fall U.S. Release From Funimation

Lee B. Golden III

I’d like to think that one day I’ll muster the bravery required to commence finally digesting the epic phenomenon that is One Piece. It’s the animated series that never died after showing up on American shores back in 2004 from 4Kids Entertainment having crossed the pond from Japan’s own 1999 rollout from Toei Animation. Now some 900 episodes and thirteen feature animated movies in, Sony’s Funimation joins in the 20th anniversary celebration that now delivers director Takashi Otsuka’s One Piece: Stampede into North America for its upcoming release this Fall. Shepherded by original creator Eiichiro Oda and featuring character designs by Masayuki Sato, its U.S. segue comes after packing in $28.7+ million at the Japan box office, becoming a record setter to date for biggest opening-day audience for 2019. “We are so excited to bring ‘One Piece: Stampede’ to North America as part of our 20th anniversary celebration of this […]