Thompson on Hollywood

Cannes Market: Lionsgate Acquires Thriller 'The Quiet Ones,' Sets 2014 Release Date

Festivals

Ahead of the opening of the Cannes market, Lionsgate has nabbed North American distribution rights to Hammer Films genre flick "The Quiet Ones," a supernatural thriller starring Jared Harris ("Mad Men," "Lincoln") and Sam Claflin ("Hunger Games: Catching Fire"). Lionsgate has booked an April 25, 2014 release date.

By Anne Thompson
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May 14, 2013 3:42 PM
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CinemaCon: Lionsgate Puts 'Hunger Games: Catching Fire' Front and Center

Box Office

At CinemaCon 2013, the Lionsgate movie that was front and center--even if star Jennifer Lawrence wasn't able to join the company jet--was "Catching Fire" (November 22) which is in post-production. Doing the honors in Las Vegas were director Francis Lawrence, replacing Gary Ross for the final two films in the trilogy, Elizabeth Banks and and Australian star Liam Hemsworth. "We're going to ratchet up the emotion and scope and action," said Lawrence. The CinemaCon trailer will go out on "Iron Man 3."

By Anne Thompson
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April 30, 2013 4:28 PM
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'Ender's Game' Teaser Poster Strikes Wrong Note

News

I've been excited about new sci-fi epic "Ender's Game" (November 1) not because I'm a fan of the original Nebula and Hugo-winning 1985 novel by Orson Scott Card, but because Roberto Orci, who wrote the two recent "Star Trek" movies with partner Alex Kurtzman, is producing.

By Anne Thompson
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March 26, 2013 3:06 PM
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Tugg Partners with Codeblack Films For Special Screenings of Shola Lynch's 'Free Angela & All Political Prisoners'

News

Tugg, a web platform that allows moviegoers to vote on what appears at their local cineplexes, is partnering with Lionsgate's Codeblack Films on making Shola Lynch's TIFF documentary "Free Angela & All Political Prisoners" available to screen nationwide. The film opens in select cities on April 5, and is available through Tugg for special theatrical screenings outside of the planned distribution locales.

By Beth Hanna
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March 25, 2013 3:00 PM
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Lionsgate Brings in John Sacchi to Head Micro-Budget Feature Division; Aims for Genre Projects Under $2.5 Million

News

Lionsgate is bringing in production executive John Sacchi to head a micro-budget feature film division within the company. The operation will aim for horror and comedy pictures under $2.5 million, and is inspired by the successful Paramount Insurge, which was created in the wake of the "Paranormal Activity" franchise, and last year produced "The Devil Inside," a $1 million-budgeted film that made over $100 million worldwide.

By Beth Hanna
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January 17, 2013 11:39 AM
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Mandate Partners Joe Drake and Nathan Kahane Launch Good Universe Before Cannes

News

It's classic that just as an executive can claim a huge hit, he's out at the studio. Joe Drake's stewardship at the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group is a thing of the past, but he does have bragging rights to "The Hunger Games." Now he and longtime Mandate partner Nathan Kahane ("Juno") are launching new shingle Good Universe just in time for Cannes.

By Anne Thompson
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May 1, 2012 6:04 PM
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Jennifer Lawrence May Add Lionsgate's Adaptation of 'Glass Castle' Memoir to her Impressive Resume

News

Jennifer Lawrence's enviable career -- which includes the upcoming "The House at The End of the Street," "The Silver Linings Playbook," "Serena" and sequels to "The Hunger Games" and "X-Men: First Class" -- may get even better.

By Sophia Savage
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April 23, 2012 4:05 PM
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Lionsgate Completes International Overhaul Before Cannes

News

As we reported, post January's merger with Summit, Lionsgate has reorganized its international team in the wake of two departing executives. As expected, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Co-Chairman Patrick Wachsberger will lead the international group at the Cannes market.

By Anne Thompson
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April 12, 2012 11:46 AM
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'The Cabin in the Woods' Review, Whedon & Goddard Talk, Latest Snarky Clip

Video

Lionsgate acquisitions chief Jason Constantine rescued horror comedy "The Cabin in the Woods," co-written by producer Joss Whedon ("The Avengers") and rookie director Drew Goddard, from post-MGM limbo. (Lionsgate paid considerably less for worldwide rights than the $41 million MGM shelled out to make it.

By Anne Thompson
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April 11, 2012 4:22 PM
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Behind the Lionsgate/Ross Breakup on the "The Hunger Games" Sequel

News

It's deja vu all over again. The director that established the first installment of a franchise is moving on. On April 6, The Playlist scooped the news that Gary Ross would leave "The Hunger Games" trilogy, and would not direct the "Catching Fire" sequel.