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Sci-Fi Thriller CAPTIVE STATE, Hostage Pic ENTEBBE Outline Berlin Slate For Participant Media And Lionsgate

With another year, another season brews for more film market and festival news as things begin to stir ahead of EFM and the next Berlinale both this February. Participant Media is getting a leg in and with some push from Lionsgate for a slate of upcoming films, including hostage thriller, Entebbe from José Padilha and sci-fi surveilance thriller, Captive State from Rupert Wyatt. Expect a little more later this year, but peep the details below on this latest deal: PARTICIPANT MEDIA PARTNERS WITH LIONSGATE TO REPRESENT INTERNATIONAL RIGHTS TO UPCOMING FEATURE FILM SLATE Partnership Kicks Off in Berlin Next Month with Lionsgate Sales of Participant’s Entebbe & Captive State Beverly Hills and Santa Monica, CA, January 10, 2017 – Participant Media, the entertainment leader in creating socially relevant films that inspire and further social impact, announced today that Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B) will represent the international rights to Participant’s upcoming […]

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Oshii Mamoru’s GHOST IN THE SHELL Gets A Limited Theatrical And Steelbook Blu-Ray Treatment Starting In February

To say the least, the division spanning the reception of director Rupert Sanders’s treatment of popular manga/anime property, Ghost In The Shell has been nothing short of stark. Indeed the film has been much better received in its press push overseas than even I expected while there are many who still stake the film as an example of the continuing obscurity of Asian talent. The marketing has also been pretty compelling following its several televised micro teasers last year and the trailer which convincingly sells itself as a worthwhile adaptation of Shirow Masumane’s 1989 cyberpunk manga and subsequent 1995 anime film from heralded filmmaker Oshii Mamoru. Oshii himself endorses Paramount’s investment and with a little over two months left, hopefully this will be enough for the fans to calm their woes – otherwise the film may be in for an entirely different result. In the meantime, consider this as part […]

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Live-Action NARUTO Is Back In The Headlines, Posing Some Major Questions That Need Answers!

It should be noted that a live-action adaptation of Shueisha’s hit manga/anime property, Naruto, is on deck from Lionsgate. A date? Pending. However, this news broke last summer and now it’s back in the headlines following updates at a Jump Festa event in Japan last weekend. It was then that was announced that a new Boruto anime series was in the works for an April 2017 premiere. In addition to the news, all matters on the Naruto film were further iterated with Gracey’s attachment, and with none other than creator Kishimoto Masashi involved in some capacity. Indeed, more news is definitely needed about this particular film adaptation which tells the epic tale of a young boy, afflicted from birth by the possession of a nine-tailed fox demon who aspires to become the strongest Hokage of his ninja village.  Some are happy and excited about this film and some, as expected, […]

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STEP UP: CHINA: First Teaser Poster Signals Ron Yuan’s Directorial Dance/Martial Arts Hybrid Debut For Lionsgate Co-Production

It was going to happen eventually, I reckon. Indeed, pick almost any dance movie in recent memory and you’re bound to see some choreography blending a dose or several of martial arts. Such is what appears to be happening now over at Lionsgate who, joined by China’s Infinity Pictures/CMC and Yue Hua Entertainment Culture Communications, are now signaling their latest movement with the first teaser poster for a sixth installment of the Step Up franchise to begin on December 9 with locations in Beijing and Los Angeles. Ron Yuan, a multifaceted film, acting and stunt professional with credits such as Blade, Steve Wang’s acclaimed 1996 thriller Drive, The Art Of War, Black Dynamite, Blood And Bone and Gavin O’Connor’s The Accountant, and hit shortfilms like the Michael Jai White-led Three Bullets and Ben Ramsey’s award-winning hit short, Black Salt, will be making his directorial feature debut. Casting news remains pending […]

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Chad Stahelski To Direct HIGHLANDER, Produce With David Leitch For Lionsgate

2014 was a real milestone year for John Wick debut directors Chad Stahelski and David Leitch. The hit film has since become the continuing reference point for both veteran stunt professionals and second unit directors as the two grew more and more prolific over the past couple of years with both names being in the mix to helm several titles. Keep that in mind while we pan over to the long-awaited reboot developments toward the fantasy sci-fi classic property, Highlander, which landed in 1986 from director Russell Mulcahy. The film was a flop but grew more and more popular as a cult hit over the years, spawning four sequels and several TV shows before Summit Entertainment’s own acquisition of the rights in 2008. The original film became the subject of a 4K restoration for its home release on Blu-Ray earlier this year for the film’s 30th anniversary, as well as […]

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The Zords Have Landed In The New #GoGo Comic-Con Posters For SABAN’S POWER RANGERS!

Next year be close to 20 years since the Americanized crossover tokusatsu series, Power Rangers, landed a Hollywood big screen feature. Earth To Echo helmer Dean Israelite now sits in to spearhead the latest induction, Saban’s Power Rangers, rebooting for a March 24, 2017 release and a hopeful franchise of its own, and as such, will be another notch in the fandom to keep aware of ahead of New York City Comic-Con in October. SYNOPSIS: Saban’s Power Rangers follows five ordinary high school kids who must become something extraordinary when they learn that their small town of Angel Grove – and the world – is on the verge of being obliterated by an alien threat. Chosen by destiny, our heroes quickly discover that they are the only ones who can save the planet. But to do so they will have to overcome their real-life issues and band together as the […]

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AMERICAN ASSASSIN Targets Taylor Kitsch For The Villain

AMERICAN ASSASSIN Targets Taylor Kitsch For The Villain

With production officially set to commence next month, THR writes that actor Taylor Kitsch will star as the villain in director Michael Cuesta’s forthcoming novel adaptation, American Assassin. The film is inspired by Vincent Flynn’s 2010 novel, an origin story among the 14-book collection outlining the popular “Mitch Rapp” series from Simon & Schuster. Kitsch joins opposite Maze Runner trilogy star Dylan O’Brien in the role of Rapp, an Arab linguistics student and counter terrorisim operative who, following the death of his fiancée, takes to task for a series of covert missions under the supervision of Cold War veteran and reluctant mentor Stan Hurley, played by Michael Keaton. Rapp and Hurley are subsequently directed by the CIA to investigate a wave of civilian and military attacks that force them to stop a terrorist plot that could ensue in World War III. Di Bonaventura Pictures and Nick Wechsler Productions will produce […]

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ESCAPE PLAN 2, Chinese NOW YOU SEE ME Spinoff In The Works At Lionsgate

Reports are now coming out that plans are under way for a Chinese spin-off of the hit heist franchise, Now You See Me in the wake of its sequel which opened in June. The film is one of two titles in a new co-production deal between the film’s studio, Lionsgate, and Beijing-based Leomus Pictures. “We’re working closely with Lionsgate on the story,” Leomus Pictures CEO Jie Qiu tells THR. “And a Hollywood writer will be involved to make sure the spinoff is aligned with the Now You See Me franchise and has the same level of quality.” The move was reportedly off-set by the success of the Hollywood sequel in China surrounding a quintet of magicians forced into a battle of wits and tricks with a villanous tech wizard. Filmmaker Jon M. Chu, who has already been tapped to direct the third film for Lionsgate, helmed the film which doubled […]

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THE HITMAN'S BODYGUARD Begins Filming With Reynolds, Jackson, Oldman And More

With the rescue of actor Ryan Reynolds’s career thanks to the heavy-duty success of 20th Century Fox’s Deadpool, the co-star of Ariel Vromen’s Criminal is finally underway with the production of his latest gig in The Hitman’s Bodyguard. Millenium Films made the announcement on Wednesday following news updates building up since late last year with last month revealing Red Hill and The Expendables 3 helmer Patrick Hughes would be sitting in the director’s chair for the film’s production in London. via ComingSoon.net The Hitman’s Bodyguard is an action comedy about the world’s top protection agent (Reynolds) and his new client: a notorious hitman who came in from the cold (Jackson). They’ve been on opposite ends of a bullet for years. They hate each other. Now they’re stuck together and have 24 hours to get from England to The Hague. The only thing standing in their way is everything a murderous Eastern […]

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Jon M. Chu To Direct NOW YOU SEE ME 3

Director Jon M. Chu had a bit of a stumble last week when security concerns stifled the CinemaCon screening of his latest film, Now You See Me 2. Thankfully, much of the fervor hasn’t dimmed as the sequel following up Louis Leterrier’s 2012 first in an era for Chu as he seeks a more grander revival after last year’s Jem flop. The film, which opens on June 10 from Lionsgate, boasts a story layered with intrigue and espionage involving a quintet of thieving magicians and their misadventures. The film was preceeded by studio chatter with mention of a possible third although nothing had been made official, which now brings word exclusively from Variety that Chu is officially attached to helm Now You See Me 3. Casting, production and other info are unknown apart from the current crop for the second film which lists Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Lizzy Caplan, Dave Franco, […]

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Grindstone/Lionsgate Releases PAY BACK On DVD And Digital This April

At some point the good folks at Lionsgate managed to snag the rights to director Fu Xi’s 2013 action crime thriller, Pay Back. As such, the film is arriving in the U.S. on DVD and Digital HD on April 5 and they’ve since cut a trailer you can view below featuring Francis Ng and action star Louis Fan. SYNOPSIS: When mafia fall guy Zhang Jin finally gets released from prison, he’s nearly assassinated. In an effort to survive, Zhang becomes entangled in a conspiracy, linking his fate with unlikely allies and turning friends into enemies. Zhang must discover the identity of the assassin before he gets murdered, without plunging himself back into a life of crime. Also starring are Lam Suet, Deng Ziyi and action veteran Cynthia Khan. Watch the trailer below and pre-order your copy HERE.

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McGYVER Heads To The Big Screen!

CBS is currently busy working on bringing a preceding story arc to its small screen adaptation of the hit ABC series, McGyver. Furious Seven helmer James Wan is executive producing and directing a pilot for that iteration in place of previously hoping to direct a feature film which has been in the works for sometime now and once thought to be not happening at all. Then, Friday came and during a third quarter earnings call among those at Lionsgate to discuss the details for 2016, and it just so happens one thing led to another with word that the studio will be working with CBS to bring McGyver to the big screen. This pretty much beat my own earlier expectations as it will be yet another testament to see if a series AND a film will stand the test of time. For those not familiar with the original show or […]

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After 10,000 Years, Elizabeth Banks Will Be Free As Rita Repulsa In SABAN'S POWER RANGERS

Earth To Echo helmer Dean Israelite’s new film, Saban’s Power Rangers is currently pre-production, and after outlining its principle cast members last year, the production finally announced who would reprise the role of intergalactic power-hungry witch, Rita Repulsa. After 10,000 years, I’m free! It’s time to conquer Earth!!⚡️ Time to play #RitaRepulsa #PowerRangersMovie pic.twitter.com/ouzd2BtkUI — Elizabeth Banks (@ElizabethBanks) February 2, 2016 Rita Repulsa has been portrayed in a few iterations dating back to actress Soga Machiko’s performance in the original 1992 TV Asashi Tokusatsu show, Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger, the show that spawned its crossover counterpart, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. The American version of the series, as broadcast for Fox Kids, continued the role between TV and film with actresses Carla Peréz, Julia Cortez, voice actress Barbara Goodson and actress Susan Brady. Banks joins relative newcomers Dacre Montgomery, Naomi Scott, R.J. Cyler, Ludi Lin and Becky G. as respective Ranger recruits […]

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AFM 2015: Lionsgate Takes THE COMMUTER And OUR KIND OF TRAITOR

It’s business as usual over at the American Film Market with deals made and announced in droves, and Lionsgate is in the thick of it as well. They’ve just snagged the Liam Neeson thriller, The Commuter, and Ewan McGregor’s latest, Our Kind Of Traitor, and I’ve been up on the first title much more than the latter, but both sound like very interesting titles to come. SANTA MONICA, Calif. and PARIS, Nov. 6, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF), a premier next generation global content leader, has acquired the U.S. distribution rights to two films from Europe’s leading studio STUDIOCANAL, the suspense thriller The Commuter, starring Liam Neeson, and the international thriller Our Kind of Traitor, starring Ewan McGregor, it was announced today by Lionsgate Co-COO and Motion Picture Group President Steve Beeks and STUDIOCANAL President of International Distribution & Marketing Rodolphe Buet.  The Commuter stars Neeson (the Taken series, […]

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'Monster Hunt' Co-Star Ludi Lin Enlists With The POWER RANGERS For Lionsgate, Saban

'Monster Hunt' Co-Star Ludi Lin Enlists With The POWER RANGERS For Lionsgate, Saban

Director Raman Hui‘s latest, Monster Hunt, drew in spectacular box office figures in China this year. This fact undoubtedly serves well for actor Ludi Lin, a relative newcomer as it was his feature film debut following smaller roles in shortfilms, as well as most recently in the first season of the Netflix series epic, Marco Polo. Credits like these seem to bode well for the actor who evidently tested for a role in the upcoming Power Rangers reboot movie from Lionsgate and Saban Films. And, as it turns out, so it is with the latest social media announcement of his casting as the Black Ranger in the new film directed by Dean Israelite. The team is coming together! #LudiLin is morphing into the #BlackRanger in 2017 for the @PowerRangersMovie. A photo posted by Power Rangers (@powerrangersmovie) on Oct 22, 2015 at 10:15am PDT Lin follows actress Naomi Scott and actor Dacre […]

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Dean Israelite's POWER RANGERS Recruits Dacre Montgomery

It was about a month or so ago that Lionsgate and Saban announced they began testing actors for the upcoming 2017 tokusatsu reboot, Power Rangers. The show has gone on for well over two decades crossing over Japanese sci-fi and fantasy lore to North American TV audiences in 1993 and since moving into Hollywood territory with at least two films in 1995 and 1997. The two companies announced the reboot in May of 2014 long prior to finally attaching a director in the form of Earth To Echo helmer Dean Israelite with a release date currently stamped for January 13, 2017. Now, with actress Naomi Scott newly cast as the Pink Ranger as of October 7, thus signaling the start of casting announcements, Lionsgate and Saban have confirmed the addition of actor Dacre Montgomery as The Red Ranger Every #PowerRangers squad needs a leader. Welcome Dacre Montgomery as the Red […]

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Lionsgate Enlists Avi And Ari Arad To Produce Game Adaptation, BORDERLANDS

Look out for another live-action video game adaptation heading our way from Lionsgate! Word has it from Variety that father-and-son producer duo Avi and Ari Arad are developing a big screen rendition of the hit shooter RPG, Borderlands. The film, based on the game, will take place on the corporate-abandoned planet of Pandora where access to a mysterious vault containing alien technology will ultimately determine life or death for a group of colonial survivors against a burrowing alien menace. Gearbox Software created the game which published in 2009 through Take-Two Interactive Software’s 2K label, selling to the tune of well-over thirty-million copies globally to date. Cast and crew details are pending, though folks at Take Two are clearly sold on the Arads’ in the producers’ chair. “Lionsgate has emerged as a major creative force in the global marketplace with an incredible portfolio of brands; our partners at Gearbox have pioneered […]

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Lionsgate, White Horse To Adapt Roman Empire Epic, EMPEROR For The Big Screen

Following the success of its YA novel properties like The Twilight Saga, Divergent and The Hunger Games, Deadline is reporting that Lionsgate’s Summit Entertainment is teaming up with White Horse Pictures in their first cinematic venture for the forthcoming Roman period saga, Emperor. The goal will be a trilogy of films inspired by author Conn Iggulden’s pentalogy of books published between 2003 and 2013, largely focusing on the political malfeasance and toxicity within the Roman Empire that loomed ahead for the lifelong friendship and subsequent fallout between emperor, Julius Caesar, and friend Marcus Brutus. The film is being staged for a large scale vision akin to the likenesses of shows like HBO series Game Of Thrones and films like 300, with White Horse Pictures founders Nigel Sinclair and Guy East having begun work on the film several years earlier. Pride, Prejudice and Zombies scribe Burr Steers, along with Cast Away […]

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Hugh Jackman Eyed For Lionsgate's THE ODYSSEY With Francis Lawrence Directing

Actor Hugh Jackman only has but a few years to go in Fox’s Marvel X-verse as Wolverine, so we’re left with whatever teases may come our way until then. At any rate, it’ll be fun looking ahead and observing the limitless prospects of his career with plenty of roles to look forward to, and anyone with an affinity for Greek epics and literature will surely benefit after this week. Word from The Wrap cites Lionsgate’s next move in adapting The Odyssey will be with Hunger Games franchise co-helmer Francis Lawrence and Jackman as the lead. The film is inspired by one of two ancient Western poems attributed to Homer, with a story centered on the anicent tales of Greek hero, Odysseus, on his ten-year journey home following the fall of Troy. If you’ve read or at least know of The Odyssey in some capacity, you might have some ideas in […]

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Lionsgate And Starbreeze Announce New JOHN WICK VR Shoot 'Em Up Game!

Imagine you’re John Wick, a former hitman, feared and revered by everyone, forced back into the underworld to take down a whole Russian crime organization to avenge the life taken away from you…and now imagine yourself stepping into his shoes! You’re a man of focus and sheer will, and you once killed three guys in a bar with a pencil. You’re a dangerous badass with a distinct love for dogs and good taste in cars, as well as all sorts of wraponry and all-black dress attire. Yes, it’s a damn good era to be a gamer and a movie fanatic, particularity if you loved last year’s Stahelski/Leitch directorial debut, John Wick. The film is lining up a sequel as we speak and thus, has set up momentum for a perfect tentpole of action hero fandom for the action movie and gaming audience. Franchises like The Expendables and Fast And Furious, […]

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