Lionsgate

Win Tickets to the World Premiere of the HUNGER GAMES in Los Angeles; Plus New Trailer

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: February 2nd, 2012 at 10:04 am

Surely one of the most anticipated films of 2012 is the feature film adaptation of the first book in Suzanne Collins’ trilogy The Hunger Games. For the uninitiated, The Hunger Games takes place in the post-apocalyptic country of Panem. As a means of reminding Panem’s 12 districts that the country’s government holds all the power, one teenage boy and one teenage girl are randomly selected from each district to participate in a televised fight to the death called “The Hunger Games.” Directed by Gary Ross, the pic stars Jennifer Lawrence as protagonist—and Hunger Games participant—Katniss Everdeen.

As we’re about 50 days from the release of the film, Lionsgate has provided us with two tickets to the film’s Los Angeles world premiere being held at Nokia Live on March 12!  Hit the jump to find out how you can win and you can also watch the brand new trailer here.

Lionsgate Acquires Summit Entertainment for $412.5 Million

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: January 13th, 2012 at 3:21 pm

It’s official. Lionsgate has acquired Summit Entertainment for a combination of cash and stock valued at $412.5 million. This acquisition effectively turns Lionsgate into a teen super studio, as they now hold the rights to the insanely successful Twilight franchise as well as The Hunger Games. While The Hunger Games has yet to be released in theaters, the book series’ rabid fanbase all but ensures that the futuristic adventure pic will be a hit (a screenwriter is already hard at work on the sequel adaptation). Still, Lionsgate is crossing its fingers that the franchise takes off like a rocket. Summit will remain a standalone label for now, but there’s no word on what the future holds. Hit the jump to read the press release.

Help Unveil a New Poster for THE HUNGER GAMES Through the #HungerGames100 Poster Puzzle Hunt [UPDATED With Poster]

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: December 15th, 2011 at 11:16 am

The release of Gary Ross’s highly anticipated adaptation of The Hunger Games is now officially 100 days away. To celebrate the occasion, Lionsgate is unveiling a new poster for the feature film. Ah, if it were only that easy. In order to take a gander at the poster, fans will have to put together puzzle pieces via the #HUNGERGAMES100 Poster Puzzle Hunt. The studio has given 100 sites 100 different puzzle pieces to debut today. We’ve got piece number 60/100 here on Collider, but fans will need to do a bit of hunting to find the other 99 pieces. Luckily, Lionsgate has streamlined the process through Twitter and Facebook. Hit the jump to find out how you can help unveil the new poster.  The Hunger Games opens on March 23rd, 2012. [Update: The poster has been unveiled, and a high resolution version is now included after the jump.]

Lionsgate Hires Writer-Director for New Adaptation of AMERICAN PSYCHO

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: December 8th, 2011 at 11:35 am

Lionsgate has hired Noble Jones to write and direct a new adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis‘ American Psycho.  Jones is a protégé of David Fincher having worked as the second unit director on The Social Network.  According to Deadline, Jones pitched the project to Lionsgate earlier this year and turned in a script about a month ago.  Variety adds that the project has not been greenlit yet, but Deadline says that the new version will have a lower budget than the 2000 adaptation starring Christian Bale.  More importantly, the remake will bring yuppie serial killer Patrick Bateman into present-day New York whereas writer-director Mary Harron kept the late 1980s setting of Ellis’ novel.

For those unfamiliar with the book and the 2000 movie, hit the jump for the synopsis and the trailer for the Bale version.

Lionsgate Vice Chairman Michael Burns Says THE LINCOLN LAWYER Will Get a Sequel in Addition to the TV Series; Provides Updates on Other Projects

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: December 6th, 2011 at 1:55 pm

Lionsgate Vice Chairman Michael Burns was on CNBC this morning to talk about what lays ahead for the studio.  In between touching on possible business deal with Summit Entertainment and talking up The Hunger Games, Burns also provided some new updates on some of the studio’s upcoming projects.  Here are the quick and dirty bullet points:

• It was announced back in August that Lionsgate would develop their hit movie The Lincoln Lawyer into a TV series with ABC.  However, Burns revealed they’ll also be doing a second movie.
• To the surprise of no one, Saw 3D was not the final entry into the successful horror franchise.  Burns expects there will be a new Saw someday.  Huzzah.
• Lionsgate is developing a new series with Netflix called Orange Is the New Black.  The show is from Weeds creator Jenji Kohan.

It will be interesting to see how Lionsgate attempts to balance Lincoln Lawyer both as a TV series and a film franchise.  Is Matthew McConaughey enough to draw out an audience that can already get the character at home?  Can the lead in the TV series out-McConaughey McConaughey? (The answer to the second question is “No.”)  Hit the jump to watch the full interview with Burns.

Possible Merger Between Lions Gate and Summit Entertainment

by Dave Trumbore    Posted: November 28th, 2011 at 6:55 pm

Earlier this month, we mentioned that Lions Gate Entertainment’s The Hunger Games must make at least $100 million in order to justify the sequels being made. While there’s no doubt in my mind the movie will make that at the box office, the independent film company does have another source of income: merge with Summit Entertainment. The studio that’s behind the current Twilight series (which has earned over $1 billion through 4 of its 5 planned films) is reportedly in talks with Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. about a potential merger. The benefit to Lions Gate would be a much-needed cash infusion. This, in turn, could ensure the production of The Hunger Games sequels, which could pay dividends for Summit if successful. Hit the jump for more on the possibility of a merger.

Lionsgate Stockholders Bank on THE HUNGER GAMES to Turn a Profit; Film Must Make $100 Million to Justify Sequels

by Dave Trumbore    Posted: November 9th, 2011 at 4:06 pm

Here are some numbers for you to chew on: The Twilight Saga has so far accumulated over $2.3 billion in global box office and DVD revenue (with two more films to be released) and the eight-movie Harry Potter series has amassed over a whopping $7.7 billion in global box office revenue alone. Lionsgate Entertainment is banking on The Hunger Games four-film series potential to join that elite class and reverse the four-year downward trend that has seen a 45% drop in stock value. Regarding a franchise earnings prediction between $220 million and $733 million, analyst James Marsh had this to say:

“The Hunger Games could be the biggest catalyst for Lions Gate’s profits and share price during the next decade. It could be a game changer for them.”

The first installment of The Hunger Games comes in at a cost of $80 million (Lionsgate’s most expensive solo production ever) and stars Oscar-nominee Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen, a teenage gladiator in a dystopian future. The Hunger Games opens on March 23, 2012 and with it rests the hopes of Lionsgate Entertainment. Hit the jump for much more.

Lionsgate Sets DIRTY DANCING Release Date, Pushes Back THE POSSESSION

by Dave Trumbore    Posted: November 3rd, 2011 at 7:25 pm

We last reported that Maria Maggenti (Monte Carlo) would be scripting the remake of Dirty Dancing for director Kenny Ortega (High School Musical). Now the creative minds have a deadline to follow, as Lionsgate has set a July 26^th, 2013 release date. Perhaps the studio is banking on those summer nights to stir up some reminiscence for the 1987 original. Though a cast has not been announced as of yet, you can rest assured that no one will yet be able to put Baby in a corner.

Lionsgate has also decided to delay their horror-thriller The Possession, produced by Sam Raimi. The pic, starring Jeffrey Dean Morgan (Watchmen) and Kyra Sedgwick (The Closer) will move from January 6^th, 2012 to August 31^st, 2012 to take advantage of the Labor Day weekend. Hit the jump for more on both projects.

Craig Gillespie Drops Out of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: October 27th, 2011 at 7:34 pm

When it’s this hard to get a movie made, one has to wonder if it’s even worth making in the first place. The adaptation of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies has cycled through a number of directors, many actresses have passed on the leading role, and now the current director has called it quits as well. Fright Night director Craig Gillespie has exited the project in what’s described as an amicable split with Lionsgate, as the two apparently disagreed on who to cast. Gillespie replaced Mike White on the project, who himself replaced original director David O. Russell. Actresses who have been offered the lead and passed include Anne Hathaway, Mia Wasikowska, Scarlett Johansson, Emma Stone, and most recently Blake Lively. Hit the jump for more including who could possibly come on to replace Gillespie.

Lionsgate Picks Up Facebook Thriller XOXO by BLACK SWAN Scribe Mark Heyman

by Dave Trumbore    Posted: October 26th, 2011 at 3:45 pm

A spec script for a contemporary thriller by Mark Heyman (Black Swan) that had been circulating for a few months has been acquired by Lionsgate. XOXO, pitched as a modern day Fatal Attraction, explores the dark side of virtual relationships as it follows an up-and-coming executive who blurs the line between his real-life fiancé and his on-line affair. XOXO will use streaming video and social media platforms on a cinematic scale to emphasize the concept (or misconception) of the truth behind our digital identities.

Black Swan director Darren Aronofsky will produce through Protozoa Pictures, as will Michael London through Groundswell Productions and Kelly Mullen, who brought the project to the studio. Although Aronofsky has directed from Heyman’s sceenplays before, no director is attached at the moment. Hit the jump for more on Heyman and Aronofsky’s upcoming projects.

Lionsgate Picks up Rights to the CHAOS WALKING Young Adult Novels

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: October 3rd, 2011 at 9:45 am

Lionsgate is hoping it has a monster hit on its hands with the adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ young adult novel The Hunger Games.  Now the studio has pulled another book series from the young adult section of the store and will be adapting Patrick Ness’ Chaos Walking trilogy.  Like Hunger Games, Ness’ books take place “in a dystopian future,” but Chaos Walking takes the adventure to a distant earth-like planet where human colonists become infected with a disease known as “The Noise” which causes all thoughts become audible.  The solution, of course, would be to use the Homer Simpson method and just loop the Meow Mix jingle in your head. Sadly, the colonists are Meow Mix-less, and  “in the ensuing chaos, a corrupt autocrat threatens to take control of the human settlements and wage war with the indigenous alien race, and only young Todd Hewitt holds the key to stopping planet wide-destruction.”

Hit the jump for the full press release.  No writer or director is attached at this point.  Doug Davison (How to Train Your Dragon) will produce.

Lionsgate Developing Movie Based on Forgettable Zombie Video Game DEAD ISLAND

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: September 27th, 2011 at 9:27 am

The video game Dead Island made a huge impression with its maudlin teaser trailer.  The teaser showed no gameplay or in-game graphics or anything useful, but it did show a girl dying, becoming a zombie, and falling out a window all in reverse and in slow motion set to sad music.  The game was released earlier this month to negative reviews (you’ll see a 72% rating but keep in mind that video games are ranked on a scale of 6 to 10 because that’s how fucked game reviewing is), but Lionsgate doesn’t care.  The studio has won out on the convoluted rights issues we reported on back in February.  Sean Daniel (The Mummy) and Stefan Sonnefeld will produce.  Lionsgate sees the property as a potential franchise because, you know, zombies.  On an island (although the second act takes place in a ruined city and the third act sends you into a sewer).

Hit the jump to see the trailer, the press release, and click here for Zero Punctuation’s entertaining review.

Lionsgate Picks up Adam Wingard’s TIFF Horror Hit YOU’RE NEXT

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: September 21st, 2011 at 10:31 am

I am in no way surprised that Adam Wingard’s home-invasion horror flick You’re Next found a distributor.  Everyone I spoke to at TIFF dug the flick and I agreed with them.  The story is about a family reunion that turns deadly when the family becomes targeted by masked murderers.  Their only hope is Erin (Sharni Vinson), a girlfriend of one of the family membes and the best home defender since Kevin McCallister.  You’re Next is set to play at Fantastic Fest and I have a feeling it will go over huge.  But if you weren’t at TIFF and won’t be at Fantastic Fest, you’ll still have a chance to see the flick in the not-too-distant future.  Heat Vision reports that Lionsgate has acquired the film for $1 to $2 million after a bidding war with Summit, Dimension, CBS Films, and FilmDistrict.  That’s impressive considering that the film reportedly cost less than $1 million to make.

Now the challenge is selling it.  The movie has no stars and it’s to replicate a midnight movie vibe with the general public.  Hopefully Lionsgate can seize on a smart marketing campaign because this is a flick that deserves to be seen in a theater with a crowd.  If you want to check out some images from the film (they’re not too spoiler-y), hit the jump.

National Sneak Preview of WARRIOR This Sunday

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: August 30th, 2011 at 10:30 am

Lionsgate believes in its upcoming MMA drama Warrior and they should.  I caught the film a few weeks ago and it’s surprisingly good.  It doesn’t break the mold or reinvent the genre, but it’s got strong performances, great fight scenes, and you’re basically getting two Rockys for the price of one.  The studio has been holding promo screenings for the past several weeks but now they’ve announced via press release that this Sunday they’re going to give the whole country and early look by offering a sneak preview.  Audiences will be able to buy tickets to see the film early on September 4th at 7:00 pm at theaters nationwide.  It’s not a bad way to spend a little time on Labor Day weekend.

Click here to purchase tickets and hit the jump for the trailer and synopsis.  Warrior opens September 9th.

Director Gary Ross Comments on THE HUNGER GAMES Teaser; Lionsgate Launches Viral Site

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: August 29th, 2011 at 7:58 pm

You can count me among the fans of the book who were underwhelmed by the nondescript Hunger Games teaser that was released earlier today.  And, if my intuition is in tune, you can include director Gary Ross in that group, too.  Ross explains that the content of the clip was very limited by the amount of film in the can:

“Look, we’re still shooting. So unfortunately, it’s just a teaser. We could only give you a little bit because we’re still down here making the movie… There’s a lot of things to come that I think are going to be hugely epic and very emotional and incredibly powerful.”

Ross also gushes over star Jennifer Lawrence, discusses the limited presence of Gale (Liam Hemsworth) in the first book/movie, and talks about “bringing the Capitol to life.”  Hit the jump for the video commentary, plus more on the viral website that Lionsgate launched.

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