Acquisitions and Release

Why Don't You Just Die (Arrow Films)

WHY DON’T YOU JUST DIE: Kirill Sokolov’s Rollicking Action Comedy Debut Acquired By Arrow For U.S. And U.K. Release

Lee B. Golden III

I screened a cool bunch of films at home that premiered in Montreal for the 23rd Fantasia International Film Festival this summer. Unfortunately some were never included in the screener list – one which includes comedic action drama, Why Don’t You Just Die, Kirill Sokolov’s directorial debut centered on the calamity between a young thug, and his girlfriend’s abusive brooding Moscow cop father. The film opened in Russia in April while screening at a raft of festivals around the world in addition to Fantasia, including premiering at Tallinn Black Nights last year 2018, as well as What The Fest in March and Cineopocalypse in June. The film is also due to screen for Arrow Video FrightFest this weekend in the U.K., and with the good fortune of sales agent Reel Suspects selling North American and U.K. rights to Arrow Video according to Elsa Keslassy who elucidates the exclusive buzz points […]

NE ZHA: Well Go USA Acquires Yang Yu’s Animated Box Office Hit For Late August Theatrical Release

Lee B. Golden III

Fresh off of a winning box-office milestone since its July release in China, debut writer/director Yang Yu (a.k.a. Jiao Zi) will get his day with a stateside release of his animated feature adventure, Ne Zha. Well Go USA Entertainment officially acquired the rights as of Thursday. Ne Zha centers on a young boy born from a heavenly pearl by the Primeval Lord of Heaven, Yuanshi Tianzun. Birthed with unique powers, he finds himself as an outcast who is hated and feared. Destined by prophecy to bring destruction to the world, the young boy must choose between good and evil in order to break the shackles of fate and become the hero. Well Go USA Entertainment plans to exclusively roll the hit movie out in select IMAX 3D screens in North America on August 29, followed by a nationwide expansion on September 6. Produced by Beijing Enlight Pictures, Ne Zha is […]

1920px-Terry_Crews_(35748056950)

JOHN HENRY: Saban Nabs Modern Day Spin On The Classic Folk Hero

Lee B. Golden III

Actor Terry Crews (Deadpool 2) is staking his claim in an upcoming present-day feature rendition of folkloric legend, John Henry. Saban Films announced its U.S. acquisition of the film, hailing from debut director Will Forbes with an early 2020 release in tow. John Henry, a modern adaption of an African-American folk hero of the same name, follows Henry (Crews) after he abandons a crime-riddled life for a peaceful one in Los Angeles. But when he crosses paths with two immigrant kids who are running from the leader of his former gang, he’s forced to confront the violence of his past life in hopes of saving them. Forbes wrote the script with Doug Skinner, featuring Crews next to actor Christopher “Ludacris” Bridges (The Fast and Furious franchise). Both executive produce along with Matthew Antoun and Mark Strome on behalf of iWood Studios and DJ Quik. “The tale of John Henry is […]

PicsArt_07-31-11.23.06.png

Well Go USA Adds TOP KNOT DETECTIVE And More To The Hi-YAH Network!

Lee B. Golden III

Directors Aaron McCann and Dominic Pearce have done richly in making names for themselves having assembled a delightful little mockumentary from down under with the Des Mangan-narrated Top Knot Detective. For good measure, my review is available here. In the early 90s a little known Japanese Samurai/Detective series hit Australia where it quickly became a cult hit. In Japan it was called ‘Ronin Suiri Tentai (Deductive Reasoning Ronin) but in Australia it is know only as ‘Top Knot Detective’! The good folks at Well Go USA are looking onward and upward this year with a raft of Hi-YAH! releases between now and 2020, adding Top Knot Detective to its library launching on HI-YAH! beginning August 1, 2019. Below, Well Go USA also unveiled an online Hi-YAH! spot to highlight future titles now pending for the martial arts-spruced-up network, including Donnie Yen actioners Big Brother and upcoming Ip Man 4, The […]

The Prey

THE PREY: Dark Star Acquires Latest From ‘Jailbreak’ Director

Lee B. Golden III

Survival thriller The Prey is making a killing at Fantasia Festival this month before its systemic commercial releases in Cambodia and other territories. The film is especially the latest work of director Jimmy Henderson who left a massive impression in 2017 with Jailbreak, adding it to the pantheon of martial arts action favorites. Bloody Destiny star Gu Shang Wei leads the cast in what would ultimately be his first of two projects with the Hanuman helmer before moving onto their current endeavors with The Guardian which also has Andy On, Charlie Ruedpoknanon and Jailbreak star Jean-Paul Ly. Gu and Henderson have since toured quite a bit with The Prey on the festival circuit and will now pave the way for an October theatrical and VOD release from Dark Star Pictures. Gu stars as an undercover cop swept into a rich man’s hunting game hosted by a maniacal prison warden when […]

TOKYO GHOUL ‘S’ To Feast Off Audiences In Select U.S. Theaters In September

Lee B. Golden III

Anime Expo rolled out some of the best news ever for the fandom over the weekend, including theatrical updates with word that Funimation has ordered a September U.S. release for Tokyo Ghoul ‘S’. The film is currently due to premiere in Japan in two weeks while gearing up for a festival run at Fantasia which kicks off its 23rd installment a week earlier. Directors Takuya Kawasaki and Kazuhiko Hiramaki are at the helm this time around following Kentaro Hagiwara’s 2017 hit adaptation which drew rousing approval from AX attendees that year prior to hitting Blu-Ray, also from Funimation. Fantasia programmer Rupert Bottenberg took to the fest’s official website earlier on to properly hype-up the highly anticipated sequel based on the hit manga and anime series: Tokyo’s Ward 20 hasn’t seen the last of the ghouls, those seemingly human super-predators who satisfy their ravenous appetite for our flesh and blood with […]

Kento Yamazaki - Kingdom

[UPDATED] KINGDOM: ‘Bleach’, ‘Inuyashiki’ Director’s Latest Arrives In North America August 16

Lee B. Golden III

Three years since actor Kento Yamazaki took the spotlight for a ceremonial three-minute short celebrating the hit manga franchise, Kingdom, the JoJo’s Bizzare Adventure star is finally poised for a North American event screening on August 16. Niche distro banner Funimation Films acquired North American theatrical rights a few months ago to the Shinsuke Sato-directed action adventure epic which stars Yamazaki with actor Ryo Yoshizawa, and garnered upward of ¥5 billion after releasing in Japan back in April. Orphaned by war, a young boy and his friend dream of changing their fate and becoming the world’s greatest generals. And after his friend sacrifices himself to protect the future emperor, the young boy’s path to greatness is set in motion. Helping the King reclaim the throne puts the boy’s blade to the ultimate test as they go against deadly assassins, large armies, and the dangerous mountain clan. In a country torn […]

Park Seo-Joon in THE DIVINE FURY

Supernatural Action Thriller THE DIVINE FURY Rages On North American Screens August 16!

Lee B. Golden III

Well Go USA is officially two-for-two with their second announcement of the week with the acquisition of supranational action thriller, The Divine Fury. Kim Joo-Hwan directs the film reuniting with Midnight Runners actor Park Seo-Joon for an August 16 release in the U.S.! After losing his father at a young age in a terrible accident, Yong-hu abandons his Christian faith and chooses to only believe in himself. Now as an adult, Yong-hu is a champion fighter and has everything he has ever wanted, that is until mysterious wounds appear in the palms of his hands. He solicits help from a local priest Father Ahn (Ahn), hoping the priest can help relieve him of the painful markings only to find himself in the middle of a dangerous fight against otherworldly evil forces seeking to wreak havoc on the human world. Joining Park are actors Ahn Sung-Ki and Woo Do-Hwan with martial […]

Bernard Rose’s SAMURAI MARATHON Makes A Run In 2020 For Well Go USA

Lee B. Golden III

Well Go USA is officially warming up and stretching its muscles to release Bernard Rose’s latest period outing, Samurai Marathon. The film just premiered at the New York Asian Film Festival with the company now announcing its acquisition for a 2020 release (read our review). Directed by Rose and scored by Philip Glass, the film is based on a true story about the first-ever marathon run in all of Japan. Set at the end of Edo period, Jinnai (Rurouni Kenshin franchise star Takeru Satoh), a secret ninja residing in Annaka village where he’s been assigned to survey activity. Having acted hastily before the village Lord’s announcement of an intense race to further reinforce pride and discipline in Japan, he’s forced to defy his ninja oath and help stave off the assassins mistakenly out to kill the village Lord for defying Japanese rule. via THR: “Samurai Marathon is such an engrossing, […]

Myst Island.png

MYST: Village Roadshow To Dive Deep Into Wide-Spanning Content Creation Based On Hit Video Game

Lee B. Golden III

Village Roadshow Entertainment Group put the word out on Wednesday for their latest acquisition of film and TV rights to best-selling video game, Myst. The game first took off in 1993 from the minds of sibling creators Rand and Robyn Miller through their company, Cyan. The brothers will partner with Village Roadshow to develop and produce alongside co-creator Ryan Miller, as well as Isaac Testerman and Yale Rice at Delve Media. Apart from its 10,000 year-long canonical history, Myst primarily follows Atrus, a brilliant (if a bit naïve) grandson of Anna, a woman who triggers a world-shaping set of events when she discovers the D’ni civilization in a cavern deep below the New Mexico desert. The D’ni have a unique ability to write books that can link to other worlds. The discovery of their ability and the clash of cultures is the catalyst for novels and games. Until 2002, Myst […]

PROMARE: GKids Scores A Fall Event Release For Trigger’s Feature Debut

Lee B. Golden III

Director Hiroyuki Imaishi’s Promare is hitting the U.S. with a Fall rollout from GKids in a new announcement now making the rounds. The film, signaling celebrated animation studio Trigger’s debut foray into the feature-length arena, will stake a limited two-day theatrical event in partnership with Fathom Events on September 17 and 19 before a proper GKIDS release on September 20. The first feature-length film from the acclaimed studio TRIGGER, creators of the hit series KILL la KILL and Little Witch Academia, and director Hiroyuki Imaishi (GURREN LAGANN, KILL la KILL), Promare uses a bold cel-shaded visual style to tell a blistering action-adventure story, and is the spiritual successor to many of director Imaishi’s former works. Thirty years has passed since the appearance of Burnish, a race of flame-wielding mutant beings, who destroyed half of the world with fire. When a new group of aggressive mutants calling themselves “Mad Burnish” appears, […]

Devika Bhise in THE WARRIOR QUEEN OF JHANSI (Photo By Nick Wall)

THE WARRIOR QUEEN OF JHANSI Rides To U.S. Fall Release From Roadside Attractions

Lee B. Golden III

The wait has been an extensive one with post-production, a social media campaign and exclusive event screenings, but the word is now out for Cayenne Pepper Productions CEO, renowned choreographer and dancer Swati Bhise’s directorial debut, The Warrior Queen Of Jhansi. Roadside Attractions has snagged U.S. release rights to the film for a Fall release via Deadline, titularly starring Devika Bhise in this, the latest cinematic incarnation of 19th century warrior queen Lakshmibai. The director, who also executive produced Matthew Brown’s 2016 biopictoral novel adaptation, The Man Who New Infinity, also produced as well as co-wrote the film with her star, along with co-scribe Olivia Emden. Formerly titled Swords & Sceptres, Bhise’s The Warrior Queen Of Jhansi tells the true story of Lakshmibai, the historic Queen of Jhansi who fiercely led her army against the British East India Company in the infamous mutiny of 1857. Lakshmibai is known as one […]

FIRST LOVE: Takashi Miike’s Cannes Hit Action Thriller Picked Up By Well Go USA For Late 2019

Lee B. Golden III

Takashi Miike’s newest Cannes darling, First Love, is coming to North America, and Well Go USA is all but on-top of things with its acquisition reported on Wednesday from THR. The film had its Directors’ Fortnight run in France and stars Masataka Kubota (Tokyo Ghoul, Tokyo Ghoul: S), and actress Sakurako Konishi with Nao Omori (Ichi The Killer), Shota Sometani (Legend Of The Demon Cat), actress and singer Becky (Eight Ranger, Eight Ranger 2), and actors Jun Murakami (Aircraft Carrier Ibuki), Sansei Shiomi (Beyond Outrage, Outrage Coda) and Seiyo Uchino (13 Assassins). First Love marks the fourth collaboration between Academy Award® winning producer Jeremy Thomas (THE LAST EMPEROR) and Takashi Miike (BLADE OF THE IMMORTAL, HARA-KIRI and 13 ASSASSINS). Set over one night in Tokyo, we follow Leo (Kubota), a young boxer down on his luck as he meets his ‘first love’ Monica (Konishi), a call girl and an addict […]

330jt-W1F86BB4Z4W-Full-Image_GalleryBackground-en-US-1558379211817._RI_.jpg

YES, AUNTIE!: Asiancrush Acquires Hit Web Sequel From Art School Dropouts Now Available On Amazon Prime

Lee B. Golden III

Art School Dropouts’ martial arts comedy sequel webseries, Yes, Auntie!: My Asian Auntie Season 2, is now available on Amazon Prime as of May 21. The New Jersey-based independent film banner took to YouTube on Thursday to make the announcement of the feature film edition’s acquisition by New York-based Asiancrush as of late February/early March. The original My Asian Auntie, as it reads on their official YouTube channel, took off in 2016, and returned by popular demand as Yes, Auntie!: My Asian Auntie Season 2, with the participation of as many as five independent film banners from groups throughout the NY, Philidelphia and DC areas, including Team One Take and Kamen Ramen. The official trailer premired exclusively at the AMC Empire 25 last November as festivities went underway for the sixth-annual Urban Action Showcase & Expo in New York City. The team, comprised of members Joey Min, Stephanie Pham, Gun […]

100059.83497206_1000X1000.jpg

THE WHITE STORM 2: DRUG LORDS Lands A July 12 Release In The U.S., Australia And NZ!

Lee B. Golden III

Herman Yau’s newest sequel continuation heads to the big screen in July with The White Storm 2: Drug Lords. A July 12 release is in tow following the film’s acquisition by CMC Pictures with releases slated for North America, Australia and New Zealand. In the quadripartite drug market in Hong Kong, Jizo (Louis Koo) gradually expands in collaboration with some Mexican drug lords across the border, followed by a chain of dog-eat-dog events which shock and bring the whole trade on high alert. On the other hand, Yu Shun-Tin (Andy Lau), a former gangster member and now a financial tycoon, is offering a bounty to eliminate the No.1 drug dealer in Hong Kong, which causes a stir in society. Policeman Fung (Michael Miu) intends to arrest Jizo, but now he is responsible for protecting Jizo instead due to the bounty. A final battle has broken out between the two tycoons […]

the-whistlers-courtesy-magnolia-pictures.jpeg.jpg

THE WHISTLERS: Magnolia Snags Romanian Heist Pic For Late 2019 Release

Lee B. Golden III

12:08 East of Bucharest and The Treasure helmer, acclaimed writer/director Corneliu Porimboiu’s recent in-competition Cannes pick, The Whistlers, now has a home stateside at Magnolia Pictures. Vlad Ivanov, Catrinel Marlon, Rodica Lazar, Antonio Buil, Agustí Villaronga, Sabin Tambrea, Julieta Szonyi and George Pisterneanu lead the cast. In The Whistlers, not everything is as it seems for Cristi, a police inspector in Bucharest who plays both sides of the law. Embarking with the beautiful Gilda on a high-stakes heist, both will have to navigate the twists and turns of corruption, treachery and deception. A trip to the Canary Islands to learn a secret whistling language might just be what they need to pull it off. The film has already been well-recived by some critics, including Indiewire who’ve dubbed the film as “A Delightful Romanian Twist On Oceans 11” for their headline. Magnolia is eyeing a theatrical release for later this year. […]

Doorman-Website-Key-Art_{64f84cd0-3524-e911-944e-0ad9f5e1f797}.jpg

THE DOORMAN: Lionsgate Nabs New Ruby Rose Action Thriller

Lee B. Golden III

Actress Ruby Rose is riding high this week having emerged in Thursday’s trailer for the Fall premiere of Batwoman on The CW. She’s also remained consistent in her big screen endeavors following roles in xXx: The Return Of Xander Cage, John Wick: Chapter Two and shark thriller, The Meg, now staking her claim with her latest action role in The Doorman with a release now being planned thanks to Lionsgate’s U.S. acquisition of the film at Cannes. A heist to steal priceless art from decades ago; a prestigious building housing New York’s elite over countless years; and a doorman…unlike any other. From director, Ryuhei Kitamura of Midnight Meat Train comes DOORMAN, an action packed thriller featuring Ali Gorski, a highly decorated ex-military sergeant turned doorman of The Carrington. During the Thanksgiving weekend, while all but few of the tenants are away and The Carrington is under renovations, a seedy plot […]

THE MAN WHO FEELS NO PAIN Arrives On Netflix May 22

Lee B. Golden III

It’s a real fiasco sometimes waiting to see when and where some films will get a legitimate release. Peddlers helmer Vasan Bala’s acclaimed martial arts comedy, The Man Who Feels No Pain, fits right into this subject matter after screening to some of the biggest critical praise I’ve ever read about for a film of its kind since its screenings in Toronto and Mumbai last year. The film just made the festival rounds at the Dallas Fort Worth South Asian Film Festival and will finally hit Netflix on May 22. It’s a pretty big deal on top of being some of the best news to learn during what has been a great month for global action cinema, especially in the wake of such hits like Frant Gwo’s The Wandering Earth, Lee Jeong Beom’s Jo Pil-Ho: The Dawning Rage (f.k.a. The Bad Lieutenant), and Pedring Lopez’s highly deserving sequel-bound hit, Maria. […]

IRON SKY: THE COMING RACE Nabs U.S. Day-And-Date July Release From Vertical

Lee B. Golden III

Timo Vuorensola’s space Nazi parody sequel, Iron Sky: The Coming Race, will open in North America for a day-and-date release on July 19. Veritcal Entertainment made its acquisition public this week with Deadline‘s Patrick Hipes reporting for its world sales at Cannes from Myriad Pictures. The highly anticipated sequel to the worldwide cult hit Iron Sky. The survivors of the war with the Nazis must leave their base on the dark side of the moon to travel to a hollow Earth in search of a life saving energy. Plan B actress Julia Dietze returns to reprise her role from the first film along with Udo Kier, and with Lara Rossi, Tom Green, Vladimir Burlakov and Kit Dale. The film is currently the second in a forthcoming trilogy with Chinese-set threequel, Iron Sky: The Ark, which received co-production backing from China Film Group in 2017, and with Max Wang (Wolf Totem) […]

GAMBIT Removed From Its 2020 Release

Lee B. Golden III

Public announcements were made on Tuesday pertaining to Disney’s forthcoming schedule, including new dates for current titles, and a new trio of Star Wars movies to arise starting in 2022 through 2026. The update also elucidated the crystal clear removal of Gambit from its release schedule, previously slated for March of next year. The character’s potential emergence into the big screen fray saw its development during the heyday of the X-Men trilogy as a solo film eventually became the subject of many a headline years later. Actor Channing Tatum was slated to breathe new life into the character after its appearance with Taylor Kitsch in the role for 2009 X-Men spin-off, X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Directors Rupert Wyatt, Doug Liman and Gore Verbinski each had a turn to helm the project in the last several years until they turned it down, and it was about three months ago that Tatum himself […]